“A knowledgeable fool is a greater fool than an ignorant one.”

Molière [e-mailed by a friend without further citation]

“‘The optimist goes to the window and says, “Good morning, God.” The pessimist goes to the window and says, “Good God, morning.”‘

“T.J. Park, Oshawa, Ont.” quoted in “Smile” in Globe & Mail September 5, 2001

“The problem of an enduring ethic and culture consists in finding an arrangement of the pieces by which they remain related, as do the stones arranged in an arch. And I know only one scheme that has thus proved its solidity, bestriding lands and ages with its gigantic arches, and carrying everywhere the high river of baptism upon an aqueduct of Rome.”

G.K. Chesterton, “Is Humanism a Religion?” in Gilbert Magazine Vol. 7 #8 (Issue 57, July-August 2004)

“Sour grapes make bitter wine.”

Letter from Nancy Sturdevant of Ottawa in Ottawa Citizen July 3, 2004

“doctors joke about a test for insanity: Put someone in a room with an overflowing sink and a mop. And then see if he tries to mop up the mess - or just turns off the tap.”

Peter Brimelow in National Review April 7, 1997

“To judge rightly of the present we must oppose it to the past; for all judgement is comparative, and of the future nothing can be known.’“

Imlac in Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas

“It is because the free market serves evil as well as good that many people think they can rid society of evil by slaying this faithful, amoral servant.”

Read, Leonard E., Let Freedom Reign

“He who knows others is learned; he who knows himself is wise.”

Lao-Tzu [e-mailed by a friend without further attribution]