"I have no thesis except that people get a very raw deal from life."

James Gould Cozzens Military See all quotes by James Gould Cozzens →

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“In its wisdom, the law said: No man shall be the judge of his own cause. The law, nothing but reason, took judicial notice of man's nature, of how far his conscience could guide him against his interest. For the slake of others, for his own sake, the law would not let him be led into temptation. In its wisdom, the law aimed only at certainty, could not, did not, really hope to get there. This science, as inexact as medicine, must do its justice with the imprecision of wisdom, the pragmatism of a long, a mighty experience. Those balances were to weigh, not what was just in general, but which might be just between these actual adversaries.”

Resonant Thoughts

"How can I look back and not speak of the stupid learning about birth? Of the stupid learning that people make love, and how it seemed the reason for all things, the intimacy of my wondering, the illum…"

— Muriel Rukeyser

Literature1913–1980

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"Why does the drum, of all instruments, have the greatest potential for life enhancement? I don't really know but here are some thoughts. First of all, there are no notes, therefore fewer judgments to …"

— John Diamond (doctor)

Medicine1934–2021

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"I believe a constitution can permit the co-existence of several cultures and ethnic groups with a single state."

— Pierre Trudeau

Politics1919–2000

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"Could one die from boredom, she wondered? From complete, oppressive, crushing, unmitigated boredom, the likes of which made all other boredom seem like ecstasy’s sweet thrilling embrace? And in such a…"

— M. K. Hobson

Literature1969

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