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  • The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues.

    —René Descartes

  • You know I hate, detest, and can’t bear a lie, not because I am straighter than the rest of us, but simply because it appalls me.

    —Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness

  • I have been so many different people, played so many different roles in my life…I was people I hated and people I admired.

    —Matt Haig, How to Stop Time

  • “Look for what you notice but no one else sees.”

    —Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being

  • I had this advantage, at least, in my mode of life, over those who were obliged to look abroad for amusement, to society and the theatre, that my life itself was become my amusement and never ceased to be novel.

    Walden
    by Henry David Thoreau

  • * Do not require others to be ideal, but accept them as they are, not as they ought to be.

    We accept nature as it is: the seasons whether rainy, stormy or hot, we do not ask nature to change itself. Let us do the same with the others. Not all of them are righteous and good. So many have weaknesses or certain dominating temperament. People are of different types, some of which are troublesome. So, be like a spectator, not influenced by their behavior, and treat them wisely according to their nature.

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit

  • A chaste tongue cannot utter impolite or rude words.

    It cannot for instance utter foul sexual words, nor tell sexual stories or jokes, nor even listen to them from others. A person with a chaste tongue can never sing indecent songs, but rather is ashamed of uttering them even at home when alone.

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit

  • The gentle person is always cheerful, and never frowns at anyone.

    His smile is sweet and loved by everyone, and his features are nice giving comfort to whoever looks at him. In his calmness he cannot rebuke or blame, nor can he act with excitedness or harshness, nor can he change the tone of his voice when rebuking someone.

    Even if mistreated, the gentle will not grumble, get bored, or complain.

    He often finds excuses for others, justifies their conduct, and thinks no evil. He never speaks about the offences against him, as if nothing has happened. He does not even feel sad within, and if he is provoked his anger will soon clear away and not turn into malice.

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit

  • Good relations can easily be established with the gentle person. Anybody can be on good terms with him.

    He does not get excited nor offended in agreements. Whoever argues with him feels at ease, even though different in opinion with him, being sure he will not get angry or count faults for him.

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit

  • The gentle is usually bashful; he cannot look at anyone fully in the face.

    He does not examine one’s features to know his inner feelings or the truth of his words. If he is fought with this, he will say to himself: It is not my business. Let me mind my own business! He is by nature gentle, and is not inclined to examine others’ actions.

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit