Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction.
Anyone who doesn't take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either.
Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized.
Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.
Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.
I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
I am not only a pacifist but a militant pacifist. I am willing to fight for peace. Nothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war.
I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind.
I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.
I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.
Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.
In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.
In order to be an immaculate member of a flock of sheep, one must above all be a sheep oneself.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
It gives me great pleasure indeed to see the stubbornness of an incorrigible nonconformist warmly acclaimed.
It is only to the individual that a soul is given.
It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer.
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Let every man be respected as an individual and no man idolized.
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
Love is a better teacher than duty.
Never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it.
Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person.
Solitude is painful when one is young, but delightful when one is more mature.
Sometimes one pays most for the things one gets for nothing.
Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.
The only real valuable thing is intuition.
The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.
The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.
Photo by David Robinson
Cemeteries and cemetery statues have always been fascinating to me - the more ancient the better. Here is a selection of soulful statues from all over the world. I love how the guy's face in the top photo is half gone. The bent-over women in the middle photo - look at her hand- it is so tense with grief. What an amazing sculpture. My favorite cemetery is located in Richmond, VA. It's actually called Hollywood Cemetery. I spent a lot of time in my youth roaming around this place. Located on a scenic bluff overlooking the James River, it's a place full of history and beauty - take the virtual tour:
John Everett Millais
Arthur Hughes