"Country acquaintances are charming only in the country and only in the summer. In the city in winter they lose half of their appeal."

Anton Chekhov Literature See all quotes by Anton Chekhov →

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“The world is a fine place. The only thing wrong with it is us. How little justice and humility there is in us, how poorly we understand patriotism!”

“Despicable means used to achieve laudable goals render the goals themselves despicable.”

“Writers are as jealous as pigeons.”

“It’s worth living abroad to study up on genteel and delicate manners. The maid smiles continuously; she smiles like a duchess on a stage, while at the same time it is clear from her face that she is exhausted from overwork.”

“Moscow is a city that has much suffering ahead of it.”

“There are no lower or higher or median moralities. There is only one morality, and it is precisely the one that was given to us during the time of Jesus Christ and that stops me, you and Barantsevich from stealing, offending others, lying etc.”

Resonant Thoughts

"U.S. imperialism will be compelled to withdraw its troops, and to allow the people of Vietnam to settle their national affairs as they wish. Victory for the heroic people of Vietnam in their unwaverin…"

— Tim Buck

Economics1891–1973

#ethics

"As the war rages on in Afghanistan and—despite spin to the contrary—in Iraq as well, and the are engaged in parallel, covert, shadow wars that are waged in near total darkness and largely away from ef…"

— Jeremy Scahill

Literature1974

#success

"When I was a boy I knew the Odes of Horace backwards and forwards, and when I came to manhood year by year those odes came knocking at the door of my heart at the most unexpected times and places. So,…"

— Stanley Baldwin

Politics1867–1947

#time

"He, however, soon realized that without State aid it was not possible to spread Christian religion in India. Writing to Father Rodrigues he said: “According to my experience the only effective way to …"

— Francis Xavier

Religion1909–1965

#religion