Capital punishment would be more effective as a preventive measure if it were administered prior to the crime.

Capital punishment would be more effective as a preventive measure if it were administered prior to the crime.

I have no regrets because I know I did my best -- all I could do.

I have no regrets because I know I did my best -- all I could do.

Melancholy is sadness that has taken on lightness

Melancholy is sadness that has taken on lightness

There is no coming to consciousness without pain.

There is no coming to consciousness without pain.

In truth, to attain to interior peace, one must be willing to pass through the contrary to peace. Such is read more

In truth, to attain to interior peace, one must be willing to pass through the contrary to peace. Such is the teaching of the Sages.

I do not want a plain box, I want a sarcophagus
With tigery stripes, and a face on it
Round read more

I do not want a plain box, I want a sarcophagus
With tigery stripes, and a face on it
Round as the moon, to stare up.
I want to be looking at them when they come
Picking among the dumb minerals, the roots.
I see them already-the pale, star-distance faces.
Now they are nothing, they are not even babies.
I imagine them without fathers or mothers, like the first gods.
They will wonder if I was important.

If you're not using your smile, you're like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook.

If you're not using your smile, you're like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook.

Shall you cry because roses have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses?

Shall you cry because roses have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses?

From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not read more

From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were; I have not seen
As others saw; I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I loved, I loved alone.