To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school, but so to love wisdom as to live according to its dictates a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust - Henry David Thoreau
There is one common safeguard in the nature of prudent men, which is a good security for all, but especially for democracies against despots. What do I mean? Mistrust. Keep this, hold to his; preserve this only, and you can never be injured - Demosthenes (Athenian orator and statesman, c.385 -322 BC)
There are many shining qualities on the mind of man; but none so useful as discretion. It is this which gives a value to all the rest, and sets them at work in their proper places, and turns them to the advantage of their possessor. Without it, learning is pedantry; wit, impertinence; virtue itself looks like weakness; and the best parts only qualify a man to be more sprightly in errors, and active to his own prejudice. Though a man has all other perfections and wants discretion, he will be of no great consequence in the world; but if he has this single talent in perfection, and but a common share of others, he may do what he pleases in his station of life - Joseph Addison(1672 - 1719)
The ability to form friendships, to make people believe in you and trust you is one of the few absolutely fundamental qualities of success. Selling, buying, negotiating are so much smoother and easier when the parties enjoy each other's confidence - John J. McGuirk
Self trust is the first secret of success ? the essence of heroism - Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Not the violent conflict between parts of the truth, but the quiet suppression of half of it, is the formidable evil - John Stuart Mill (English philosopher and economist, 1806-1873)
It's not what we don't know that hurts. What hurts us is what we know for certain that turns out not to be true - David Maister
It's better to know nothing than to know what ain't so - Josh Billings
It is harder to kill a phantom than a reality - Virginia Woolf (English author, 1882-1941)
Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please - Mark Twain