February 16
2004
- I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance. ~ e. e. cummings
- selected by Kalki
2005
- A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. ~ Henry Adams (born 16 February 1838)
- selected by Kalki
2006
- Politics, as a practice, whatever its professions, has always been the systematic organization of hatreds. ~ Henry Adams (born 16 February 1838)
- selected by Kalki
2007
- The counsels of impatience and hatred can always be supported by the crudest and cheapest symbols; for the counsels of moderation, the reasons are often intricate, rather than emotional, and difficult to explain. And so the chauvinists of all times and places go their appointed way: plucking the easy fruits, reaping the little triumphs of the day at the expense of someone else tomorrow, deluging in noise and filth anyone who gets in their way, dancing their reckless dance on the prospects for human progress, drawing the shadow of a great doubt over the validity of democratic institutions. And until people learn to spot the fanning of mass emotions and the sowing of bitterness, suspicion, and intolerance as crimes in themselves — as perhaps the greatest disservice that can be done to the cause of popular government — this sort of thing will continue to occur. ~ George F. Kennan
- proposed by Kalki
2008
- Public opinion, or what passes for public opinion, is not invariably a moderating force in the jungle of politics. It may be true, and I suspect it is, that the mass of people everywhere are normally peace-loving and would accept many restraints and sacrifices in preference to the monstrous calamities of war. But I also suspect that what purports to be public opinion in most countries that consider themselves to have popular government is often not really the consensus of the feelings of the mass of the people at all, but rather the expression of the interests of special highly vocal minorities — politicians, commentators, and publicity-seekers of all sorts: people who live by their ability to draw attention to themselves and die, like fish out of water, if they are compelled to remain silent. ~ George F. Kennan
- proposed by Kalki
2009
- All experience is an arch, to build upon. ~ Henry Brooks Adams
- proposed by Kalki
2010
Suggestions
Condemn me, it does not matter: history will absolve me. ~ Fidel Castro proclaimed Prime Minister of Cuba 16 February 1959.- 4 if only because there is a dearth of entries relating to people who were born or died on this date. Fys. “Ta fys aym”. 00:58, 15 February 2007 (UTC)
- 1 Kalki 19:50, 15 February 2009 (UTC)
* 2 Kalki 20:24, 15 February 2007 (UTC)Though I might rank this a 3 or more on a date with a more notable linkage. I generally prefer to do birthdays and highly notable anniversaries when possible, and am disinclined to use death dates save where birthdates are unknown, and minor linkages only when no great quotes can be found with stronger ones. I also think this would be a good quote to use whenever he actually does die, which is probably something that isn't all that far away. - 2 InvisibleSun 22:21, 15 February 2007 (UTC)
- 4 because this is another of my strong beliefs. History finds ways to absolve. This is another of my favorites and I wish I had brought it up myself. Also, it should be moved to Castro's birth or death date instead. Zarbon 22:24, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
----
There is a real question as to whether "bigness" in a body politic is not an evil in itself, quite aside from the policies pursued in its name. ~ George F. Kennan
- 3 Kalki 20:24, 15 February 2007 (UTC)
- 3 InvisibleSun 22:21, 15 February 2007 (UTC)
- 1 Zarbon 22:24, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
----
I certainly have enough self-confidence...I told myself that I shall either be a general at thirty, or that I shall not be alive by then. ~ Mikhail Tukhachevsky
- 3 because the strong hint of do or die trying lives inside this quote. Zarbon 02:52, 27 September 2008 (UTC)
- 2 InvisibleSun 23:05, 15 February 2009 (UTC)
----
What one knows is, in youth, of little moment; they know enough who know how to learn. ~ Henry Brooks Adams (born 1838-02-16)
- 3 Kalki 19:50, 15 February 2009 (UTC) but leaning toward a 4 (I don't much care to presently use the Castro quote suggested for this day — might prefer to use that for a recent death quote eventually.)
- 3 InvisibleSun 23:05, 15 February 2009 (UTC)
- 2 Zarbon 05:25, 27 February 2009 (UTC)
----
Knowledge of human nature is the beginning and end of political education. ~ Henry Brooks Adams
- 3 Kalki 19:50, 15 February 2009 (UTC) but with a strong lean toward a 4.
- 3 InvisibleSun 23:05, 15 February 2009 (UTC)
- 3 Zarbon 05:25, 27 February 2009 (UTC)
----