“it is the nature of man not to have a nature.”
Maurice Merleau-Ponty, quoted in Mortimer Adler Ten Philosophical Mistakes: Basic Errors in Modern Thought (Adler does not agree with Merleau-Ponty, but thinks the idea well worth pondering)
“In truth, the problems facing France are difficult, but not profound.”
News story in Globe & Mail May 7, 2007
“‘it may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.”
“Wisdom from Granny and Gramps” in Gilbert Magazine Vol. 7 # 7 (June 2004)
“Whosoever is out of patience is out of possession of his mind, body and soul.”
Sir Francis Bacon, quoted in the “Federalist Patriot” No. 04-34 25 August 2004 from federalist.com
“Every activity has its own specific goal. Pleasure very probably ensues in most cases when this goal is reached, but that is a different matter.”
I.A. Richards Principles of Literary Criticism
“Marvellous, old cock! I never realized Malvolio could be played as a bore.”
“what Lawrence Olivier once wickedly said to Alec Guinness” according to Tom Carson in The Atlantic Monthly September 2004
“How ludicrous and outlandish is astonishment at anything that happens in life.”
Marcus Aurelius Meditations
“For they [John Smith’s audience] did believe in the spirit of the devil which, as everyone knows, is in all of us.”
Walter Lippman The Public Philosophy