Quote
1677Amsterdam, Netherlands
It is in the nature of Reason to regard things under a certain form of eternity. Insofar as the mind knows itself and the body under a species of eternity, it necessarily has knowledge of God, and knows that it is in God and is conceived through God.
The order and connection of ideas is the same as the order and connection of things.
Blessedness is not the reward of virtue, but virtue itself; neither do we rejoice therein, because we control our lusts, but, contrariwise, because we rejoice therein, we are able to control our lusts.
Aristotle·350 BCHope is the dream of a waking man.
Samuel Johnson·1750Hope is necessary in every condition. The miseries of poverty, of sickness, or captivity, would, without this comfort, be insupportable; nor does it appear that the happiest lot of terrestrial existence can set us above the want of this general blessing; or that life, when the gifts of nature and of fortune are accumulated upon it, would not still be wretched, were it not elevated and delighted by the expectation of some new possession, of some enjoyment yet behind, by which the wish shall at last be satisfied, and the heart filled up to its utmost extent.
Fyodor Dostoevsky·1866Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.
