The methodological advice to interpret in a way that optimizes agreement should not be conceived as resting on a charitable assumption about human intelligence that might turn out to be false. If we cannot find a way to interpret the utterances and other behavior of a creature as revealing a set of beliefs largely consistent and true by our standards, we have no reason to count that creature as rational, as having beliefs, or as saying anything.
- Donald Davidson
Most advice on child-rearing is sought in the hope that it will confirm our prior convictions. If the parent had wished to proceed in a certain way but was made insecure by opposing opinions of neighbors, friends, or relatives, then it gives him great comfort to find his ideas seconded by an expert.
- Bruno Bettelheim
A time of disarray is also a moment of opportunity.
- Frederick Ferre
Ignorance of one's misfortunes is clear gain.
- Euripides
Human misery must somewhere have a stop: there is no wind that always blows a storm.
- Euripides
The misfortune of the wise is better than the prosperity of the fool.
- Epicurus
In misfortune, what friend remains a friend?
- Euripides
To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's education is complete.
- Epictetus
Common and vulgar people ascribe all ills that they feel to others; people of little wisdom ascribe to themselves; people of much wisdom, to no one.
- Epictetus
Strong men greet war, tempest, hard times. They wish, as Pindar said, to tread the floors of hell, with necessities as hard as iron.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Bad times have a scientific value. These are occasions a good learner would not miss.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
A diamond cannot be polished without friction, nor the man perfected without trials.
- Chinese Proverbs
The actual tragedies of life bear no relation to one's preconceived ideas. In the event, one is always bewildered by their simplicity, their grandeur of design, and by that element of the bizzare which seems inherent in them.
- Jean Cocteau
The best way out of a difficulty is through it.
- Will Rogers
The methodological advice to interpret in a way that optimizes agreement should not be conceived as resting on a charitable assumption about human intelligence that might turn out to be false. If we cannot find a way to interpret the utterances and other behavior of a creature as revealing a set of beliefs largely consistent and true by our standards, we have no reason to count that creature as rational, as having beliefs, or as saying anything.
- Donald Davidson
Adversity is the first path to truth.
- Lord Byron
Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage.
- William Ellery Channing
Advice is one of those things it is far more blessed to give than to receive.
- Carolyn Wells
My advice to those who think they have to take off their clothes to be a star is, once you’re boned, what’s left to create the illusion? Let em wonder. I never believed in giving them too much of me.
- Mae West
Difficulty, my brethren, is the nurse of greatness a harsh nurse, who roughly rocks her foster children into strength and athletic proportion.
- William Cullen Bryant
When it comes to winning, you need the skill and the will.
- Frank Tyger
No one ever injured their eyesight from looking on the bright side of things.
- Anonymous
Most advice on child-rearing is sought in the hope that it will confirm our prior convictions. If the parent had wished to proceed in a certain way but was made insecure by opposing opinions of neighbors, friends, or relatives, then it gives him great comfort to find his ideas seconded by an expert.
- Bruno Bettelheim
I cannot give advice. How can I when I do not authorize success. I authorize it alright. Smile.
- Gertrude Stein