March 23

Quotes of the day from previous years:

2004

The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives. ~ Albert Einstein

• selected by Kalki

2005

Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties. ~ Erich Fromm (born 23 March 1900)

• selected by Kalki

2006

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! ~ Patrick Henry, in a speech to the House of Burgesses (23 March 1775)

• selected by Kalki

2007

No work which is destined to become a classic can look like the classics which have preceded it. In art, as in biology, there is heredity but no identity with the ascendants. Painters inherit characteristics acquired by their forerunners; that is why no important work of art can belong to any period but its own, to the very moment of its creation. It is necessarily dated by its own appearance. The conscious will of the painter cannot intervene. ~ Juan Gris (born 23 March 1887)

• proposed by InvisibleSun

2008

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
~ Yeshua (Jesus Christ) ~ (For Easter Sunday 2008)

• proposed by Kalki

2009

I believe that none can "save" his fellow man by making a choice for him. To help him, he can indicate the possible alternatives, with sincerity and love, without being sentimental and without illusion. The knowledge and awareness of the freeing alternatives can reawaken in an individual all his hidden energies and put him on the path to choosing respect for "life" instead of for "death." ~ Erich Fromm

• proposed by Kalki

2010

Suggestions

Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence. ~ Erich Fromm

• 3 Kalki 16:11, 22 March 2007 (UTC) with a strong lean toward 4, but this has often been quoted alone, and thus I believe it preferable to extend this to:

Society must be organized in such a way that man's social, loving nature is not separated from his social existence, but becomes one with it. If it is true, as I have tried to show, that love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence, then any society which excludes, relatively, the development of love, must in the long run perish of its own contradiction with the basic necessities of human nature.

• 3 InvisibleSun 16:24, 22 March 2007 (UTC)
• 1 Zarbon 04:26, 23 April 2008 (UTC)
• 3 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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Man is the only animal for whom his own existence is a problem which he has to solve and from which he cannot escape. ~ Erich Fromm

• 3 Kalki 16:11, 22 March 2007 (UTC)
• 3 InvisibleSun 16:24, 22 March 2007 (UTC)
• 2 Zarbon 04:26, 23 April 2008 (UTC)
• 3 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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In the nineteenth century the problem was that God is dead; in the twentieth century the problem is that man is dead. ~ Erich Fromm

• 2 because this is rather comical...regardless of the apparent situation. It holds true that people have digressed to disbelief not only from God, but many have found peace in doing nothing and serving absolutely no cause. Zarbon 05:17, 2 May 2008 (UTC)
• 3 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 1 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC) — Difficult without context for what is meant by "man is dead."
• 2 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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Only the person who has faith in himself is able to be faithful to others. ~ Erich Fromm

• 3 because in order for one to spread faith, one must believe in it. Zarbon 05:17, 2 May 2008 (UTC)
• 3 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3.5 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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To die is poignantly bitter, but the idea of having to die without having lived is unbearable. ~ Erich Fromm

• 3 because it is one thing to die...but to die wasted, unaccomplished and senseless is another. Zarbon 05:17, 2 May 2008 (UTC)
• 3 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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Selfish persons are incapable of loving others, but they are not capable of loving themselves either. ~ Erich Fromm

• 3 because selfishness hounds the soul, creating bitterness within. By damaging others, a selfish person damages oneself. Zarbon 05:17, 2 May 2008 (UTC)
• 3 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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Some shall reap that never sow
And some shall toil and not attain. ~ Madison Cawein

• 3 Zarbon 00:55, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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Don't tell me that man doesn't belong out there. Man belongs wherever he wants to go — and he'll do plenty well when he gets there. ~ Wernher von Braun

• 2 Zarbon 00:55, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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Nature does not know extinction; all it knows is transformation. Everything science has taught me, and continues to teach me, strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death. ~ Wernher von Braun

• 2 Zarbon 00:55, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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For me, the idea of a creation is not conceivable without invoking the necessity of design. One cannot be exposed to the law and order of the universe without concluding that there must be design and purpose behind it all. ~ Wernher von Braun

• 2 Zarbon 00:55, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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My experiences with science led me to God. They challenge science to prove the existence of God. But must we really light a candle to see the sun? ~ Wernher von Braun

• 3 Zarbon 00:55, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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It is in scientific honesty that I endorse the presentation of alternative theories for the origin of the universe, life and man in the science classroom. It would be an error to overlook the possibility that the universe was planned rather than happening by chance. ~ Wernher von Braun

• 2 Zarbon 00:55, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 1.5 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC) — I consider treating these as "alternatives" a false dichotomy.
• 2 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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One test result is worth one thousand expert opinions. ~ Wernher von Braun

• 2 Zarbon 00:55, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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Science does not have a moral dimension. It is like a knife. If you give it to a surgeon or a murderer, each will use it differently. ~ Wernher von Braun

• 4 Zarbon 00:55, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

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The universe is hostile only when you do not know its laws. To those who know and obey, the universe is friendly. ~ Wernher von Braun

• 2 Zarbon 00:55, 16 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 1 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC) — Obedience is not in question, one may choose to embrace them or to suffer them.

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The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers. ~ Erich Fromm

• 3 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 Zarbon 03:30, 23 March 2009 (UTC)

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I believe that if an individual is not on the path to transcending his society and seeing in what way it furthers or impedes the development of human potential, he cannot enter into intimate contact with his humanity. ~ Erich Fromm

• 3 Kalki 14:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC) with a strong lean toward 4.
• 3.5 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 2 Zarbon 03:30, 23 March 2009 (UTC)

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I believe that love is the main key to open the doors to the "growth" of man. Love and union with someone or something outside of oneself, union that allows one to put oneself into relationship with others, to feel one with others, without limiting the sense of integrity and independence. ~ Erich Fromm

• 3 Kalki 14:29, 22 March 2009 (UTC) with a strong lean toward 4.
• 3 Ningauble 22:11, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 3 InvisibleSun 22:27, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
• 1 Zarbon 03:30, 23 March 2009 (UTC)

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