Category: Quotations

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“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust

Flower garden

Marcel Proust (1871-1922)

He was a French novelist, essayist, and critic, best known for his monumental work “In Search of Lost Time” (originally titled “À la recherche du temps perdu”).

This seven-volume novel, published between 1913 and 1927, is considered one of the greatest achievements in modern literature1. It explores themes of memory, time, and society in late 19th- and early 20th-century France.

Proust’s writing is known for its intricate style and deep psychological insight. His work has had a lasting impact on literature and continues to be studied and admired today.

See Wikipedia for more information.

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“The ballot is stronger than the bullet” – Abraham Lincoln

U.S. voter

Abraham Lincoln, 1809 -1865

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, led the nation through the Civil War and played a crucial role in the abolition of slavery. He is remembered for his leadership, eloquence, and dedication to preserving the Union.

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on 14th April 1865. He was shot in the back of the head by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln succumbed to his injuries the following morning.

It was a tragic end to the life of a remarkable leader.

Wikipedia

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“Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke”

Bully

Benjamin Disraeli, 1804 – 1881

Benjamin Disraeli was a British statesman, Conservative politician and writer who twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

One of the most resonant inspirational quotes on bullying, attributed to Benjamin Disraeli: “Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke.”

This quote succinctly captures the essential attitude for those confronting bullying, highlighting that real strength lies in courage, whereas bullying is merely a facade of power.

Putting it another way, this quote encapsulates an important mindset to remember for those who face bullying, which is that there is true strength in being courageous, while bullying is simply the illusion of strength.

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“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama.

Happiness

The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and has been a prominent advocate for peace and compassion worldwide

The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born in 1935 and recognised as the 14th Dalai Lama at the age of two. He has written extensively on topics such as ethics, mindfulness, and the importance of kindness.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his nonviolent struggle for the liberation of Tibet and his efforts to resolve conflicts through peaceful means. His teachings often emphasise the importance of cultivating inner peace and compassion to create a better world.

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“I have raised up what was in ruins. I have restored that which was destroyed.” – Hatshepsut

Female Pharaoh image

Hatshepsut, the longest-reigning Egyptian female pharaoh, ruled for 20 years in the 15th century BC. “I have raised up what was in ruins. I have restored that which was destroyed,” declared Hatshepsut.

The quote regarding Hatshepsut’s appointment comes from inscriptions and was designed to legitimise her rule, often illustrating the divine will of the Gods or proclamations from her father, Thutmose I.

Hatshepsut was adept at presenting her reign within the context of divine support and royal succession. “This daughter of mine, Hatshepsut… I have named her successor to my throne… She shall guide you… Heed her words and gather under her command.”

Mini history lesson


Hatshepsut, one of the most successful pharaohs of Egypt, ruled during the 18th Dynasty from approximately 1479 to 1458 BCE.

Her tenure is noted not just for its duration but also for the prosperity and tranquility she established in Egypt. As a rare female pharaoh, Hatshepsut had to affirm her power in a patriarchal society. She frequently portrayed herself with pharaonic symbols of authority, like the false beard and headdress, to reinforce her legitimacy. “I have raised up what was in ruins. I have restored that which was destroyed,” she declared, underscoring her role in reviving Egypt’s splendour.

During her rule, Hatshepsut initiated grand construction projects, leaving a heritage of remarkable monuments and temples. Her most famous accomplishment is the mortuary temple at Deir El-Bahari, an architectural wonder that stands as a testament to her foresight and governance. Hatshepsut also rejuvenated Egypt’s economy by developing extensive trade networks. Her notable expedition to Punt, a region thought to be resource-rich, yielded precious items like myrrh, frankincense, and exotic wildlife.

This voyage was eternally captured in the reliefs of her temple, showcasing her achievements and contributions to Egypt’s affluence. In her inscriptions, Hatshepsut stated, “My authority was asserted in this land and to its farthest reaches… My gaze was southward, I explored the edges of the mountains, all my eyes wished to see was accomplished.”

This statement mirrors her broad vision and ambition to expand Egypt’s reach. Despite her accomplishments, Hatshepsut’s memory faced attempts at erasure after her demise. However, contemporary archaeology has revealed her significant influence.

Today, Hatshepsut is celebrated as an innovative ruler whose reign made a lasting impression on ancient Egyptian history.

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“Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.” – Archimedes

Archimedes mathematics

Archimedes of Syracuse (c. 287 – c. 212 BC) was an extraordinary ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer.

Coming from Syracuse, Sicily, he contributed immensely to various disciplines, including mathematics, physics, and engineering.

Some of his most renowned works include

Archimedes’ Principle

This principle asserts that a body submerged in a fluid is subjected to a buoyant force equivalent to the weight of the fluid it displaces. According to legend, he made this discovery during a bath and is said to have shouted “Eureka!” in excitement.

Archimedes’ Screw

A clever mechanism for lifting water, which remains in use even today.

Law of the Lever

He articulated the principle of the lever, forming the groundwork for classical mechanics.

Indivisibles

He foresaw the concepts of modern calculus by employing the notion of infinitely small quantities.

Archimedes’ contributions have profoundly influenced science and engineering, earning him recognition as one of history’s most eminent mathematicians and scientists.

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“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

Anne Frank Diary

Anne Frank 1929 – 1945

Annelies Marie “Anne” Frank, 1929 – 1945 was a German-born Jewish girl who authored a diary that chronicled her family’s life while concealed during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The renowned diarist, Anne Frank, detailed daily existence from their secret refuge in an Amsterdam attic.

Frank kept and regularly wrote in a diary she had received as a birthday present in 1942.

After their arrest, the Frank family was sent to concentration camps. Anne Frank and her sister, Margot, were moved from Auschwitz to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on November 1, 1944, where they both passed away, likely from typhus.

See Wikipedia

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“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” – Plato

Soapbox politician

Plato – was an ancient Greek philosopher of the Classical period who is considered a foundational thinker in Western philosophy and an innovator of the written dialogue and dialectic forms.

Plato’s most famous contribution is the theory of forms (or ideas). Along with his teacher Socrates, and Aristotle, his student, Plato is a central figure in the history of philosophy.

Visit Wikipedia for more information about Plato.

Soapbox politician
“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” – Plato
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“The sun is the most important thing in everybody’s life, whether you’re a plant, an animal, or a fish, and we take it for granted”.

Sunset

Danny Boyle

(See Wikipedia)

Daniel Francis Boyle (born 20th October 1956) is an English director and producer. He is known for his work on films including Shallow Grave, Trainspotting and its sequel T2 Trainspotting, The Beach, 28 Days Later, Sunshine, Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, Steve Jobs, and Yesterday.

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“Time is a created thing. To say, ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.’” – Lao Tzu

Space time

Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu’s philosophy is foundational to Taoism and focuses on living in harmony. His teachings emphasize naturalness, simplicity, and spontaneity. He also introduced the concept of the Three Treasures: compassion, frugality, and humility, as virtues to cultivate for a harmonious life.

The birth date of Lao Tzu is not precisely known and is often debated among scholars. Traditional accounts commonly place his life around the 6th century BCE, making him a contemporary of Confucius.

It is noteworthy that the historical existence of Lao Tzu is debated by some contemporary scholars, who propose that he might be a mythical figure, or a designation applied to several contributors of the Tao Te Ching.

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“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.” – Margaret Atwood

The power of water

Margaret Atwood – born 1939

“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad.

The power of water
“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”