It's said that "power corrupts", but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power. When they do act, they think of it as service, which has limits. The tyrant, though, seeks mastery, for which he is insatiable, implacable.
-David Brin, scientist and science fiction author (b. 6 Oct 1950)
Once a country is habituated to liars, it takes generations to bring the truth back.
-Gore Vidal, writer (3 Oct 1925-2012)
A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It is a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity.
-Jimmy Carter, 39th US President, Nobel laureate (b. 1 Oct 1924)
No fathers or mothers think their own children ugly; and this self-deceit is yet stronger with respect to the offspring of the mind.
-Miguel de Cervantes, novelist (29 Sep 1547-1616)
There is always more goodness in the world than there appears to be, because goodness is of its very nature modest and retiring.
-Evelyn Beatrice Hall, biographer (28 Sep 1868-1956)
Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm but the harm does not interest them.
-T.S. Eliot, poet (26 Sep 1888-1965)
