It is good to be often reminded of the inconsistency of human
nature, and to learn to look without read more

It is good to be often reminded of the inconsistency of human
nature, and to learn to look without wonder or disgust on the
weaknesses which are found in the strongest minds.

Humans can learn to like anything, that's why we are such a successful species. You can drop humans anywhere and read more

Humans can learn to like anything, that's why we are such a successful species. You can drop humans anywhere and they'll thrive--only the rat does as well.

If each man or woman could understand that every other human life is as full of sorrows, or joys, or read more

If each man or woman could understand that every other human life is as full of sorrows, or joys, or base temptations, of heartaches and of remorse as his own . . . how much kinder, how much gentler he would be.

Our humanity is a poor thing, except for the divinity that stirs within us.

Our humanity is a poor thing, except for the divinity that stirs within us.

As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness read more

As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.

I am a man; nothing human is alien to me.

I am a man; nothing human is alien to me.

If we consider the superiority of the human species, the size of its brain, its powers of thinking, language and read more

If we consider the superiority of the human species, the size of its brain, its powers of thinking, language and organization, we can say this: were there the slightest possibility that another rival or superior species might appear, on earth or elsewhere, man would use every means at his disposal to destroy it.

Man is physically as well as metaphysically a thing of shreds and patches, borrowed unequally from good and bad ancestors, read more

Man is physically as well as metaphysically a thing of shreds and patches, borrowed unequally from good and bad ancestors, and a misfit from the start.

Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck by the read more

Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck by the difference between what things are and what they might have been.