The quote database

The Analytical Engine has no pretensions whatever to originate any thing. It can do whatever we know how to order it to perform.

Hence the necessity that he should have been well trained in habits, who is to study, with any tolerable chance of profit, the principles of nobleness and justice and moral philosophy generally.

By space the Universe encompasses and swallows me as an atom, by thought I encompass it.

Although our intellect always feels itself urged towards clearness and certainty, still our mind often feels itself attracted by uncertainty.

Economic independence is a relative condition at best.

To be surrounded by beautiful things has much influence upon the human creature: to make beautiful things has more.

What you imagine, you will think, and what you think, you will become.

It’s also about knowing what you know and what you don’t know. It’s about being open to people and ideas.

The style shall be simple and familiar; but style is the image of character; and the habits of correct writing may produce, without labour or design, the appearance of art and study.

There are probably as many different dialects for the heart as for the tongue, are there not?

Peace or harmony between the sexes and individuals does not necessarily depend on a superficial equalization of human beings; nor does it call for the elimination of individual traits and peculiarities.

Have you anything better or greater to see than the sun, the moon, the stars, the whole earth, the sea?

Most people consider life a battle, but it is not a battle, it is a game.

Man should make an art of thinking.

Life is a mirror, and we find only ourselves reflected in our associates.

Man can only receive what he sees himself receiving.

Every thought, every word is impressed upon it and carried out in amazing detail.

Whatever man feels deeply or images clearly, is impressed upon the subconscious mind, and carried out in minutest detail.

As long as you have mystery you have health; when you destroy mystery you create morbidity.

Man must have just enough faith in himself to have adventures, and just enough doubt of himself to enjoy them.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Whatever moves me, whatever thrills me, is as a hand that touches me in the dark, and that touch is my reality.

My world is built of touch-sensations, devoid of physical colour and sound; but without colour and sound it breathes and throbs with life.

Every landscape is, as it were, a state of the soul, and whoever penetrates into both is astonished to find how much likeness there is in each detail.

My most sacred and memorable life is commonly on awaking in the morning.