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This is the true joy in life⁠—being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances.
George Bernard Shaw1856–1950Man and Superman (1903), p. xxxi
The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them.
George Bernard Shaw1856–1950Man and Superman (1903), p. 37
A reasonable man adapts himself to his environment. An unreasonable man persists in attempting to adapt his environment to suit himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
George Bernard Shaw1856–1950
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
George Bernard Shaw1856–1950Maxims for Revolutionists (1903), #124
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Nought may endure but Mutability.
Percy Bysshe Shelley1792–1822Mutability (1816), st. 4In context
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Man is an evasive beast, given to cultivating strange notions about himself.
Upton Sinclair1878–1968The Profits of Religion (1918), Introductory, “Bootstrap-lifting”
The people generally get accustomed to the established order of things and begin to tremble at the very idea of a change. It is this lethargical spirit that needs be replaced by the revolutionary spirit.
Bhagat Singh1907–1931Letter to the editor of The Modern Review, published in The Tribune (25 December 1929)
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Every individual…generally, indeed, neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it. By preferring the support of domestic to that of foreign industry he intends only his own security; and by directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book IV, Chapter II, p. 488-489.In context
Man has almost constant occasion for the help of his brethren, and it is in vain for him to expect it from their benevolence only.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter II, p. 19.In context
The difference between the most dissimilar characters, between a philosopher and a common street porter, for example, seems to arise not so much from nature, as from habit, custom, and education.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter II, p. 17.In context
Man was made for action, and to promote by the exertion of his faculties such changes in the external circumstances both of himself and others, as may seem most favourable to the happiness of all.
Adam Smith1723–1790The Theory of Moral Sentiments
Such is the delicacy of man alone, that no object is produced to his liking. He finds that in everything there is need for improvement. The whole industry of human life is employed not in procuring the supply of our three humble necessities, food, clothes and lodging, but in procuring the conveniences of it according to the nicety and delicacy of our tastes.
Adam Smith1723–1790
You must not think me necessarily foolish because I am facetious, nor will I consider you necessarily wise because you are grave.
Sydney Smith1771–1845
I don’t know why I did it, I don’t know why I enjoyed it, and I don’t know why I’ll do it again.
Socrates470–399 BC
Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity.
Socrates470–399 BC