February 8 Quotations

Quotes of the day from previous years:

2005

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware. ~ Martin Buber (born 8 February 1878)

selected by Kalki

2006

There are, indeed, two forms of discontent: one laborious, the other indolent and complaining. We respect the man of laborious desire, but let us not suppose that his restlessness is peace, or his ambition meekness. It is because of the special connection of meekness with contentment that it is promised that the meek shall 'inherit the earth.' Neither covetous men, nor the grave, can inherit anything; they can but consume. Only contentment can possess. ~ John Ruskin (born 8 February 1819)

selected by Kalki

2007

One single war — we all know — may be productive of more evil, immediate and subsequent, than hundreds of years of the unchecked action of the mutual-aid principle may be productive of good. ~ Peter Kropotkin, died 8 February 1921.

proposed by Fys

2008

The greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world is to see something, and tell what it saw in a plain way. Hundreds of people can talk for one who can think, but thousands can think for one who can see. To see clearly is poetry, prophecy, and religion, — all in one. ~ John Ruskin

proposed by InvisibleSun

2009

Man's constitution is so peculiar that his health is purely a negative matter. No sooner is the rage of hunger appeased than it becomes difficult to comprehend the meaning of starvation. It is only when you suffer that you really understand. ~ Jules Verne, born 8 February 1828.

proposed by Fys

2010

Suggestions

All political lives, unless they are cut off in midstream at a happy juncture, end in failure, because that is the nature of politics and of human affairs. ~ Enoch Powell, died 8 February 1998.

4. Fys. “Ta fys aym”. 23:44, 5 February 2007 (UTC)
2 Kalki 23:44, 7 February 2007 (UTC)
2 InvisibleSun 01:12, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
2 Zarbon 22:02, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

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The good Samaritan had compassion. If two good Samaritans had compassion, that would still be individual compassion, not collective compassion. If the good Samaritan had been obliged by decree of the Roman Emperor to assist the traveller, that would not be compassion at all, because it would be done under obligation. ~ Enoch Powell.

2. Fys. “Ta fys aym”. 23:44, 5 February 2007 (UTC)
2 Kalki 23:44, 7 February 2007 (UTC)
3 InvisibleSun 01:12, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
1 Zarbon 22:02, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

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Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless: peacocks and lilies, for instance. ~ John Ruskin, born 8 February 1819.

3. Fys. “Ta fys aym”. 23:44, 5 February 2007 (UTC)
3 ~ Kalki 23:44, 7 February 2007 (UTC)
3 InvisibleSun 01:12, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
3 Zarbon 22:02, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

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There is no wealth but life. Life, including all its powers of love, of joy, and of admiration. That country is the richest which nourishes the greatest numbers of noble and happy human beings; that man is richest, who, having perfected the functions of his own life to the utmost, has also the widest helpful influence, both personal, and by means of his possessions, over the lives of others. ~ John Ruskin

3 InvisibleSun 01:12, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
1 Zarbon 22:02, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
4 Kalki 22:12, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

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When we are interested in the beauty of a thing, the oftener we can see it the better; but when we are interested only by the story of a thing, we get tired of hearing the same tale told over and over again, and stopping always at the same point — we want a new story presently, a newer and better one — and the picture of the day, and novel of the day, become as ephemeral as the coiffure or the bonnet of the day. Now this spirit is wholly adverse to the existence of any lovely art. If you mean to throw it aside to-morrow, you can never have it to-day. ~ John Ruskin

3 InvisibleSun 01:12, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
1 Zarbon 22:02, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
3 Kalki 22:12, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

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Your honesty is not to be based either on religion or policy. Both your religion and policy must be based on it. Your honesty must be based, as the sun is, in vacant heaven; poised, as the lights in the firmament, which have rule over the day and over the night. ~ John Ruskin

3 InvisibleSun 01:12, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
1 Zarbon 22:02, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
3 Kalki 22:12, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

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Punishment is the last and least effective instrument in the hands of the legislator for the prevention of crime. ~ John Ruskin

3 InvisibleSun 01:12, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
3 because this is true. People should be worried moreso about prevention than punishment. Excellent quote. Zarbon 22:02, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
2 Kalki 22:12, 7 February 2009 (UTC) I'd eventually rank this a 3 or 4 but that there are so many ones ones suggested which I would prefer to use first.

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An unimaginative person can neither be reverent nor kind. ~ John Ruskin

3 InvisibleSun 01:12, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
1 Zarbon 22:02, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
3 Kalki 22:12, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

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It is the glistening and softly spoken lie; the amiable fallacy; the patriotic lie of the historian, the provident lie of the politician, the zealous lie of the partisan, the merciful lie of the friend, and the careless lie of each man to himself, that cast that black mystery over humanity, through which we thank any man who pierces, as we would thank one who dug a well in a desert. ~ John Ruskin

3 InvisibleSun 01:12, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
1 Zarbon 22:02, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
3 Kalki 22:12, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

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There is never vulgarity in a whole truth, however commonplace. It may be unimportant or painful. It cannot be vulgar. Vulgarity is only in concealment of truth, or in affectation. ~ John Ruskin

3 InvisibleSun 01:12, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
1 Zarbon 22:02, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
3 Kalki 22:12, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

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Life without industry is guilt, and industry without art is brutality. ~ John Ruskin

3 InvisibleSun 01:12, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
2 Zarbon 22:02, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
3 Kalki 22:12, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

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Every other sin hath some pleasure annexed to it, or will admit of an excuse; envy alone wants both. Other sins last but for awhile; the gut may be satisfied, anger remits, hatred hath an end, envy never ceaseth. ~ Robert Burton (born February 8, 1577)

3 InvisibleSun 10:40, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
2 Zarbon 22:02, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
2 Kalki 22:12, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

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