"Nobody has a right to conduct a trade of which he is ashamed."

G.K. Chesterton in Illustrated London News May 2, 1936, quoted in Gilbert Magazine Vol. 7 #6 (April/May 2004)

"The Master said, 'It is rare, indeed, for a man with cunning words and an ingratiating face to be benevolent.'"

Confucius I.3

"When you argue with your inferiors, you convince them of only one thing: they are as clever as you."

Irving Layton, quoted as "Thought du jour" in Globe & Mail August 8, 2001

"Every family should have at least three children. Then, if one is a genius, the other two can support him."

George Coote, quoted as "Thought du jour" in Globe & Mail May 10, 2001.

"'Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.’ – Bertrand Russell, atheist"

2nd header quotation in Rick Warren The Purpose-Driven Life Chapter 1

"Odd, I thought to myself, how in all walks of life there are lives graced by dreams, and lives steeped in dullness. And when greatness strikes, the dreamer is prepared; grace softens the shock. But to the dull, greatness can be traumatic."

Frank Capra The Name Above the Title

In my latest National Post column I say we won't get helpful answers on the Toronto mass shooting unless we ask the right questions.