What makes men indifferent to their wives is that they can see them when they please. Ovid on marriage
If it were in my power, I would be wiser; but a newly felt power carries me off in spite of myself; love leads me one way, my understanding another. Ovid on power
What is deservedly suffered must be borne with calmness, but when the pain is unmerited, the grief is resistless. Ovid on suffer
Many women long for what eludes them, and like not what is offered them. Ovid on women
Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us. Thomas Paine on character
I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and row brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. Thomas Paine on courage
He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression. Thomas Paine on freedom
Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it. Thomas Paine on reason
There are two distinct classes of what are called thoughts: those that we produce in ourselves by reflection and the act of thinking and those that bolt into the mind of their own accord. Thomas Paine on thoughts
When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary. Thomas Paine on virtue
Love to his soul gave eyes; he knew things are not as they seem. The dream is his real life; the world around him is the dream. Francis Palgrave on world
It is the business of thought to define things, to find the boundaries; thought, indeed, is a ceaseless process of definition. It is the business of Art to give things shape. Anyone who takes no delight in the firm outline of an object, or in its essential character, has no artistic sense.... Vance Palmer on business
It may happen sometimes that a long debate becomes the cause of a longer friendship. Commonly, those who dispute with one another at last agree. Saskya Pandita on argument
An excellent man, like precious metal, is in every way invariable; A villain, like the beams of a balance, is always varying, upwards and downwards Saskya Pandita on character
The holy man, though he be distressed, does not eat food mixed with wickedness. The lion, though hungry, will not eat what is unclean. Saskya Pandita on religion
Apply yourself both now and in the next life. Without effort, you cannot be prosperous. Though the land be good, You cannot have an abundant crop without cultivation. Saskya Pandita on work
Humility is a virtue, and it is a virtue innate in guests. Max Beerbohm on humility
There is much to be said for failure. It is more interesting than success. Max Beerbohm on success
Most women are not as young as they are painted. Max Beerbohm on women