[ Q u o t e s ]




Society is entirely suffused by power which not only affects the capacity of individuals to realise their wants and desires, but actually constructs their wants and desires for them.
Steven Lukes


It is easy to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after your own; but the great man is he who, in the midst of the crowd, keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.
R. W. Emerson


What makes you think human beings are sentient and aware? There's no evidence for it. Human beings never think for themselves, they find it too uncomfortable. For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they are told - and become upset if they are exposed to any different view. The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity...Other animals fight for territory or food; but, uniquely in the animal kingdom, human beings fight for their 'beliefs.' The reason is that beliefs guide behaviour, which has evolutionary importance among human beings. But at a time when our behaviour may well lead us to extinction, I see no reason to assume we have any awareness at all. We are stubborn, self-destructive conformists. Any other view of our species is just a self congratulatory delusion.
That heartening quote was from M. Crichton (The Lost World)


Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediochre minds.
Einstein


Democracy may be considered a highly desirable label - there is a preference of rulers to be thought well-intentioned. When democracy was the name for a highly distinct form of political regime, democracies were states which took the political component of citizen equality seriously. Modern states, however, are hindered by their very structure from giving more than token recognition to the idea of political equality.
Joan Dunn, Theory of Democracy


Democracy is good. I say this because other systems are worse.
Jawaharlal Nehru

Education is an admirable thing. But it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.
Oscar Wilde

I think; therefore I am.
Rene Descartes

Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for truth.
Benjamin Disraeli


Love alone can unite living beings, so as to complete and fufill them...for it alone

[a note on the side: somehow parts of my page have disappeared. Let's just say I'm less than happy with the effectiveness of my host of late. In particular, a large part of my quotes page is missing..unfortunately most of it irretrevably. Hopefully I'll get it fixed soon. ]