Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)

"Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth."

• From The Sign of the Four (Chapter 1), in Sherlock Holmes: The Ultimate Collection (Enhanced Media, 2016).

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Sima Qian

Sima Qian (Han Dynasty historian, c. 145-90 BCE)

"When the army goes, our sons go with it."

• From The Basic Annals of Qin in the Records of the Grand Historian (Shi ji) by Sima Qian, translated by Burton Watson. New York: Columbia University Press, 1993.

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Homer

Homer (9th and 8th century BCE)

"Ah, how I wish rivalry
could be banished from the world of gods and men, and with it
anger, which makes the wisest man flare up and spreads much
sweeter than dripping honey through his whole being, like
smoke."

• From The Iliad (Book 18) by Homer, translated by E. V. Rieu and revised by Peter Jones (Penguin Classics, 2014).

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Jean-Paul Sartre

Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980)

"I can always choose, but I ought to know that if I do not choose, I am still choosing."

• From Existentialism and Human Emotions (Philosophical Library Inc., 1957 and 1985).

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Thomas à Kempis

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

"Levity of heart and neglect of our faults make us insensible to the proper sorrows of the soul, and we often engage in empty laughter when we should rightly weep."

• From The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis translated by L. Sherley-Price (Penguin, 1972).

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Norman Vincent Peale

Norman Vincent Peale (American author, c. 1898-1993)

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."

• Quote by Norman Vincent Peale from "The staying power of Christmastime by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale". As quoted in: Newsweek, Volume 42, 1953, p. 142.

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Aristotle

Aristotle (c. 384-322 BCE)

"As a matter of fact, every bad man is ignorant of what he ought to do and refrain from doing, and it is just this sort of fault that makes people unjust and generally bad."

• From The Nicomachean Ethics (Book III, i) by Aristotle, translated by J. A. K. Thomson (Penguin Classics, 2004).

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Mencius

Mencius (4th and 3rd century BCE)

"If you honour the good and wise and employ the able so that outstanding man are in high position, then Gentlemen throughout the Empire will be only too pleased to serve at your court."

• From The Mencius (Book II, Part A) by Mencius, translated by D. C. Lau (Penguin Classics, 2003).

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Snorri Sturluson / The Lay of Grimnir

Snorri Sturluson (1179-1241) quoting The Lay of Grimnir.

"The ash Yggdrasil
is foremost of trees,
and Skidladnir of ships,
Odin of the Æsir,
and of stallions, Sleipnir,
Bifrost of bridges,
and Bragi of skalds,
Habrok of hawks,
and of hounds, Garm."

• From The Lay of Grimnir in The Prose Edda (Gylfaginning) by Snorri Sturluson, translated by Jesse Byock (Penguin Classics, 2005). 

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (c. 1859-1930)

"It is a mistake to confound strangeness with mystery. The most commonplace crime is often the most mysterious because it presents no new or special features from which deductions may be drawn."

• From A Study in Scarlet (chapter 7), in Sherlock Holmes: The Ultimate Collection (Enhanced Media, 2016).

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Thucydides

 Thucydides (approximately 460-400 BCE)

"One's sense of honour is the only thing that does not grow old, and the last pleasure, when one is worn out with age, is not, as the poet said, making money, but having the respect of one's fellow men." 

• History of the Peloponnesian War (Book II) by Thucydides, translated by Rex Warner and introduced by M. I. Finley. New York: Penguin Classics, 1972.

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Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer (1342-1400)
"And now, good people, pay attention all.
See how Dame Fortune quickly changes side
And robs her enemy of hope and pride!"

• From The Canterbury Tales (The Nun's Priest's Tale) by Geoffrey Chaucer, translated to modern English by Nevill Coghill (Penguin Classics, 2003).

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Cassius Dio

Cassius Dio (Roman politician and historian, 163-235)

"Immortality is a state which it is not in our power to possess, but by living nobly and dying nobly we do in a certain measure achieve this condition."

• From Cassius Dio's The Roman History (Book 53, chapter 9), translated by Ian Scott-Kilvert (Penguin Classics, 1987). Dio wrote this quote in the character of Octavian for a scene where Octavian gives a speech about remaining in power as a dictator.

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Aristotle

Aristotle (384-322 BCE)

"It is the mark of a courageous man to face things that are terrible to a human being, and that he can see are such, because it is a fine act to face then and a disgrace not to do so."

• From The Nicomachean Ethics (Book III, viii) by Aristotle, translated by J. A. K. Thomson (Penguin Classics, 2004).

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Buddha

The Buddha (this quote recorded around the 3rd century BCE)

"Like the earth, he is not troubled.
Like a pillar he is firm.
Like a pond free from mud
there are no rounds of rebirths
for such a person."

• From The Dhammapada (Verses on the Way, Chapter 8), recorded in the 3rd century BCE. Translation by Glenn Wallis, 2004.

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Tertullian

Tertullian (2nd and 3rd Century theologian from Carthage)


"Heretics and philosophers perpend the same themes and are caught up in the same discussions. What is the origin of evil, and why? The origin of humans, and how?"

• "Prescriptian of the Heretics" by Tertullian, translated by S. L. Greenslade (SCM  Press, 1956). 

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Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius (Roman Emperor, c. 121-180)

"Man, God, the world, every one in their kind, bear some fruits. All things have their proper time to bear."

• From the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, Book IX, (Xist Publishing edition, 2015).

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Apollonius of Rhodes

Apollonius of Rhodes (Greek/Egyptian poet, c. 3rd century BCE)

"Ah, reputation.
What rancor, what harsh blows will I endure
to pay for all the awful things I've done?"

• From Apollonius of Rhodes' epic poem, Argonautica (Book 4), based on the myth of Jason and the Argonauts. The translation is by Aaron Poochigian (Penguin Classics, 2014).

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Christine de Pizan

Christine de Pizan (French writer, c. 1364-1430)

"My ladies, see how these men assail you on all sides and accuse you of every vice imaginable. Prove them all wrong by showing how principled you are and refute the criticisms they make of you by behaving morally."

• From The Book of the City of Ladies (Part III, chapter 19) by Christine de Pizan, translated by Rosalind Brown-Grant (Penguin Classics, 1999).

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Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu (words recorded c. 6th-3rd century BCE)

"War
    Is founded
    On deception;
    Movement is determined
    By advantage;
    Division and unity
    Are its elements
    Of Change."

• From Sun Tzu's The Art of War (Chapter 7), translated by John Minford (Penguin Classics, 2009).

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Aristotle

Aristotle (c. 384-322 BCE)

"Virtue lies in our power, and similarly so does vice; because where it is in our powers to act, it is also in our power not to act, and where we can refuse we can also comply."

• From The Nicomachean Ethics (Book III, v) by Aristotle, translated by J. A. K. Thomson (Penguin Classics, 2004). 

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Clement of Alexandria

Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215 CE)

"Extremes, in fact, are dangerous, but the mean is good, and all that avoids dire need is a mean."

• From "The Educator" by Clement of Alexandria, translated by Simon P. Wood (Catholic University Press of America, 1954).

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Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)

"When I wish to find out how wise, or how stupid, or how good, or how wicked is any one, or what are his thoughts at the moment, I fashion the expression of my face, as accurately as possible, in accordance with the expression of his, and then wait to see what thought or sentiments arise in my mind or heart, as if to match or correspond with the expression."

• From Edgar Allan Poe's The Purloined Letter in Edgar Allan Poe: Complete Works (JKL Classics, 2017).

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Plato

Plato (c.427-347 BCE)
"Do you agree, then, that the best course is for the men and women to receive the same education, share children, and co-operate in the guarding of the rest of their fellow citizens, as we've described?"

• From Republic (Chapter 7) by Plato, translated by Robin Waterfield (Oxford World's Classics, 2008).

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Buddha

The Buddha (This quote recorded in the 3rd century BCE)

"A person is not skilled
just because he talks a lot.
Peaceful, friendly, secure--
that one is called 'skilled.'"

• From The Dhammapada (Verses on the Way, Chapter 19), recorded in the 3rd century BCE. Translation by Glenn Wallis, 2004.

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W. T. Sherman

General Sherman (1820-1891)

"The great end of peace has been attained, with little or no change in our form of government, and the duty of all good men is to allow the passions of that period to subside, that we may direct our physical and mental labor to repair the waste of war, and to engage in the greater task of continuing our hitherto wonderful national development."

• From The Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman (Chapter IX) by W. T. Sherman. (Renaissance Classics, 2012).

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Thucydides

Thucydides (Athenian general and historian, c. 460-404 BCE)

"My work is not a piece of writing designed to meet the taste of an immediate public, but was done to last for ever."

• History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides, translated by Rex Warner and introduced by M. I. Finley. New York: Penguin Classics, 1972.

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Cassius Dio

Cassius Dio (c. 163-235)

"To tolerate the offences of the great mass of citizens is a task which demands great prudence and great power, but if anyone were to punish them all indiscriminately as they deserve, he would destroy before he knew it the greater part of mankind."

• From Cassius Dio's The Roman History (Book 55, chapter 20), translated by Ian Scott-Kilvert (Penguin Classics, 1987). Dio wrote this quote in the character of Livia, Augustus' wife, in a scene where she gives advice to her husband. 

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Geoffrey of Monmouth

Geoffrey of Monmouth (12th century Welsh-English writer, quote c. 1136)

"Surely you will not always put your trust in being protected by someone else! Won't you accustom your hands to brandish shields, swords, and spears against those who would be no mightier than you yourselves, if only you could throw off your laziness and your lethargy?"

• From Geoffrey of Monmouth's The History of the Kings of Britain (Part Three), completed in 1136 CE, translated from Latin into English by Lewis Thorpe (Penguin Classics, 1966).

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Anna Komnene

Anna Komnene (Princess of the Byzantine Empire, c. 1083-1153)

"It is the mark of a bad general, when all is peaceful, to incite his neighbors to war intentionally--for peace is the objective of all wars."

• From The Alexiad (Book XII) by Anna Komnene, translated by E.R.A. Sewter, (Penguin Classics, 2009).

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Aristotle

Aristotle (c. 384-322 BCE)

"The man who shuns and fears everything and stands up to nothing becomes a coward; the man who is afraid of nothing at all, but marches up to every danger, becomes foolhardy. Similarly the man who indulges in every pleasure and refrains from none becomes licentious; but if a man behaves like a boor and turns his back on every pleasure, he is a case of insensibility."

• From The Nicomachean Ethics (Book II, ii) by Aristotle, translated by J. A. K. Thomson (Penguin Classics, 2004).

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George Orwell

George Orwell (1903-1950)

"One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting."

• From Homage to Catalonia (Chapter V) written by George Orwell and edited by Adam Hochschild and Lionel Trilling (Mariner Books, 1969).

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Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer (1342-1400)

"When Fortune flees a man is left forsaken
Of glory, wealth and kingdom; all's past cure.
Even the friends he has will not endure,
For if good fortune makes your friends for you
Ill fortune makes them enemies for sure,
A proverb very trite and very true."

• From The Canterbury Tales (The Monk's Tale) by Geoffrey Chaucer, translated to modern English by Nevill Coghill (Penguin Classics, 2003).

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Cassius Dio

Cassius Dio (Roman statesman and historian, c. 163-235)

"Whatever you wish your subjects to think and to do, you must say and do yourself. You can better educate them in this way, rather than by terrorizing them through the penalties laid down by the laws."

• From Cassius Dio's The Roman History (Book 52, chapter 34), translated by Ian Scott-Kilvert (Penguin Classics, 1987). Dio wrote this quote in the character of Maecenas for a scene where Octavian was hearing advice from his advisors before deciding if Rome should become a democracy or remain dictatorial.

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Geoffrey of Monmouth

Geoffrey of Monmouth (12th century Welsh/English writer)

"Men will become drunk with the wine which is offered to them: they will turn their backs on Heaven and fix their eyes on the earth."

• From Geoffrey of Monmouth's The History of the Kings of Britain (Part Five), completed in 1136 CE, translated from Latin into English by Lewis Thorpe (Penguin Classics, 1966).

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Aristotle

Aristotle (c. 384-322 BCE)

"It is the way that we behave in our dealings with other people that makes us just or unjust, and the way that we behave in the face of danger, accustoming ourselves to be timid or confident, that makes us brave or cowardly."

• From The Nicomachean Ethics (Book II, i) by Aristotle, translated by J. A. K. Thomson (Penguin Classics, 2004).

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Mo Tzu

Mo Tzu (Ancient Chinese philosopher and theologian, 5th Century BCE)

"[Heaven] desires that among men those who have strength will work for others, those who understand the Way will teach other, and those who possess wealth will share it with others."

• From the Basic Writings of Mo Tzu (The Will of Heaven, part II, section 27), translated by Burton Watson (Columbia University Press, 1963).

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Plato

Plato (427-347 BCE)

"Anyone who is going to be a truly good guardian of our community, then, will have a philosopher's love of knowledge, and will be passionate, quick on his feet, and strong."

• From Republic (Chapter 3) by Plato, translated by Robin Waterfield (Oxford World's Classics, 2008).

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Cassius Dio

Cassius Dio (c. 163-235)

"Your position should be invulnerable to any insolence and too exalted for such conduct to come near you; and you should never allow it to enter your head or allow others to imagine that you can be treated with disrespect. In short, men should regard you just as they do the gods, as surrounded by an inviolable sanctity."

• From Cassius Dio's The Roman History (Book 52, chapter 31), translated by Ian Scott-Kilvert (Penguin Classics, 1987). Dio wrote this quote in the character of Maecenas for a scene where Octavian was hearing advice from his advisors before deciding if Rome should become a democracy or remain dictatorial.

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Snorri Sturlusson / Sibyl Prophecy

"Brothers will fight,
bringing death to each other.
Sons of sisters
will split their kin bonds.
Hard times for men,
rampant depravity,
age of axes, age of swords,
shields split,
wind age, wolf age,
until the world falls into ruin."

• From The Sibyl's Prophecy in The Prose Edda (Gylfaginning) by Snorri Sturluson, translated by Jesse Byock (Penguin Classics, 2005).

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)

"One's ideas must be as broad as Nature if they are to interpret Nature."

• From A Study in Scarlet, in Sherlock Holmes: The Ultimate Collection (Enhanced Media, 2016).

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Miyamoto Musashi

Miyamoto Musashi (Japanese master duelist, c. 1584-1645)

"If you do not look at things on a large scale it will be difficult for you to master strategy."

• From Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings, (Lord Majesty Productions, 2005 edition).

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Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe (American writer, 1809-1849)

"Nothing is more vague than impressions of individual identity. Each man recognizes his neighbor, yet there are few instances in which any one is prepared to give a reason for his recognition."

• From Edgar Allan Poe's The Mystery of Marie Roget in Edgar Allan Poe: Complete Works (JKL Classics, 2017).

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Geoffrey of Monmouth

Geoffrey of Monmouth (Welsh writer, c. 12th century)

"Indeed, when it is obvious that men are no longer using their weapons, but are instead playing at dice, burning up their strength with women and indulging in other gratifications of that sort, then without any doubt their bravery, honour, courage and good name all become tainted with cowardice."

• From Geoffrey of Monmouth's The History of the Kings of Britain (Part Seven), completed in 1136 CE, translated from Latin into English by Lewis Thorpe (Penguin Classics, 1966).

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Mo Tzu

Mo Tzu (Chinese philosopher and theologian, flourished 5th century BCE)

"The ghosts and spirits of past and present are of three kinds only: the spirits of Heaven, the spirits of the mountains and rivers, and the ghosts of men who have died."

• From the Basic Writings of Mo Tzu (Explaining Ghosts, part 3, section 31), translated by Burton Watson (Columbia University Press, 1963).

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Cassius Dio

Cassius Dio (Roman Senator, 163-235)

"The best ruler, the one who is of any real value, should not only perform all the duties which fall to his lot, but should provide for the rest of his subjects, so that they can develop their virtues to the full."

• From Cassius Dio's The Roman History (Book 52, chapter 26), translated by Ian Scott-Kilvert (Penguin Classics, 1987).

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Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu (Chinese strategist and philosopher, 6th-5th Century BCE)

"Be rushing as a wind;
      Be stately as a forest;
Be ravaging as a fire;
      Be still as a mountain.
Be inscrutable as night;
      Be swift as thunder or lightning."

• From Sun Tzu's The Art of War (Chapter 7), translated by John Minford (Penguin Classics, 2009).

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Hesiod

Hesiod (Ancient Greek Poet, c. 8th and 7th century BCE)

"That man is best who sees the truth himself;
Good too is he who listens to wise counsel.
But who is neither wise himself nor willing
To ponder wisdom is not worth straw."

• From Hesiod's Works and Days, translated by H. A. K. Thomson in his translation of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics (Penguin Classics, 2004).

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (c. 1859-1930)

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence. It biases the judgment."

• From A Study in Scarlet, in Sherlock Holmes: The Ultimate Collection (Enhanced Media, 2016).

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Confucius

Confucius (Chinese philosopher, 6th-5th century BCE)

"I once spent a whole day without food and a whole night without sleep, in order to meditate. it was no use. It is better to learn."

• From The Analects of Confucius (Book XV) translated by Arthur Waley (Vintage Books, 1989). 

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