The man who will follow precedent, but never create one, is merely an obvious example of the routineer. You find read more

The man who will follow precedent, but never create one, is merely an obvious example of the routineer. You find him desperately numerous in the civil service, in the official bureaus. To him government is something given as unconditionally, as absolutely as ocean or hill. He goes on winding the tape that he finds. His imagination has rarely extricated itself from under the administrative machine to gain any sense of what a human, temporary contraption the whole affair is. What he thinks is the heavens above him is nothing but the roof.

Nature does not loathe virtue: it is unaware of its existence. - A Letter to Myself.

Nature does not loathe virtue: it is unaware of its existence. - A Letter to Myself.

It is a talent of the weak to persuade themselves that they suffer for something when they suffer from something; read more

It is a talent of the weak to persuade themselves that they suffer for something when they suffer from something; that they are showing the way when they are running away; that they see the light when they feel the heat; that they are chosen when they are shunned.

Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.

Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.

If you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.

If you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.

The free man is he who does not fear to go to the end of his thought.

The free man is he who does not fear to go to the end of his thought.

Minds are like parachutes; they work best when open.

Minds are like parachutes; they work best when open.

Prepare yourself for the world, as the athletes used to do for their exercise; oil your mind and your manners, read more

Prepare yourself for the world, as the athletes used to do for their exercise; oil your mind and your manners, to give them the necessary suppleness and flexibility; strength alone will not do.

I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the advantages authors read more

I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the advantages authors have in a second edition to correct some faults of the first.