May 17 Quotations

Quotes of the day from previous years:

2004

Explanations exist; they have existed for all times, for there is always an easy solution to every human problems — neat, plausible, and wrong. ~ H. L. Mencken

selected by Kalki

2005

I had a stick of Carefree gum, but it didn't work. I felt pretty good while I was blowing that bubble, but as soon as the gum lost its flavor, I was back to pondering my mortality. ~ Mitch Hedberg

selected by Kalki

2006

There is no formula to it because writing every song, for me, is a little journey... It's everything. It's the walk you take in the morning, it's the night before, the meeting with people, landscapes, the chats, all of that evolves in some way into melody, but I'm not sure how it's going to happen. I'm dealing with the unknown all the time and that is exciting. ~ Enya (born 17 May 1961)

selected by Kalki

2007

We are all, always, the desire not to die. This desire is as immeasurable and varied as life's complexity, but at bottom this is what it is: To continue to be, to be more and more, to develop and to endure. All the force we have, all our energy and clearness of mind serve to intensify themselves in one way or another. We intensify ourselves with new impressions, new sensations, new ideas. We endeavour to take what we do not have and to add it to ourselves. Humanity is the desire for novelty founded upon the fear of death. That is what it is. ~ Henri Barbusse

selected by Kalki (born 17 May 1873)

2008

I believe, in spite of all, in truth's victory. I believe in the momentous value, hereafter inviolable, of those few truly fraternal men in all the countries of the world, who, in the oscillation of national egoisms let loose, stand up and stand out, steadfast as the glorious statues of Right and Duty. ~ Henri Barbusse

proposed by Kalki

2009

Yes, there is a Divinity, one from which we must never turn aside for the guidance of our huge inward life and of the share we have as well in the life of all men. It is called the truth. ~ Henri Barbusse

proposed by Kalki

2010

Suggestions

Sometimes people mistake the way I talk for what I am thinking. ~ Idi Amin (born May 17)

4 because everyone doesn't say what they think. It's a beautiful admittance to the human thought process and the actual sayings themselves. Zarbon 03:39, 25 April 2008 (UTC)
- SOURCE: Leaders and Their Followers in a Dangerous World - Page 17 by Jerrold M. Post -Biography & Autobiography - 2004
1 Kalki 14:04, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
2 InvisibleSun 19:58, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

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In any country there must be people who have to die. They are the sacrifices any nation has to make to achieve law and order. ~ Idi Amin (born May 17)

3 Zarbon 03:39, 25 April 2008 (UTC)
- SOURCE: 101 People You Won't Meet in Heaven - Page 11 - by Michael Powell - History - 2007
1 Kalki 14:04, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
1 InvisibleSun 19:58, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

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If we knew the meaning to everything that is happening to us, then there would be no meaning. ~ Idi Amin (born May 17)

3 because there would be no meaning without the great mystery. Zarbon 03:39, 25 April 2008 (UTC)
2 Kalki 14:04, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
2 InvisibleSun 19:58, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

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You cannot run faster than a bullet. ~ Idi Amin (born May 17)

3 because this is absolutely true. Zarbon 03:39, 25 April 2008 (UTC)
- SOURCE: The Mammoth Book of Zingers, Quips, and One-Liners - Page 51 - by Geoff Tibballs -Humor - 2004
1 Kalki 14:04, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
1 InvisibleSun 19:58, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

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I am not a politician but a professional soldier. ~ Idi Amin (born May 17)

3 because the sincerity of being a soldier crosses the boundary of politics and government and becomes a life in itself. Zarbon 03:39, 25 April 2008 (UTC)
- SOURCE: When Illness Strikes the Leader: The Dilemma of the Captive King - Page 57 - by Jerrold M. Post, Robert S. Robins - Biography & Autobiography - 1993
1 Kalki 14:04, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
1 InvisibleSun 19:58, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

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There are cloudy moments when one asks himself if men do not deserve all the disasters into which they rush! No — I recover myself — they do not deserve them. But we, instead of saying "I wish" must say "I will." And what we will, we must will to build it, with order, with method, beginning at the beginning, when once we have been as far as that beginning. We must not only open our eyes, but our arms, our wings. ~ Henri Barbusse

3 Kalki 14:04, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
1 because this is another simplistic description of restoring order to where there is chaos. These are very simplistic sayings, of which I had already thoroughly examined the entire Barbusse page and found nothing worthwhile. Zarbon 14:50, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
3 InvisibleSun 19:58, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

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While all brutal forces clash with themselves, all moral forces make mighty harmony together. ~ Henri Barbusse

3 Kalki 14:04, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
1 because I already examined the entire Barbusse page prior and I did not find one quote worthy to place here. Almost everything was a statement of the obvious human characteristics and psyche. This is by far a great example of a simplistic statement...forces clash...amd harmony...I mean come on, seriously. There's like no deeper meaning to it whatsoever. Zarbon 14:50, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
3 InvisibleSun 19:58, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

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Affection is the greatest of human feelings because it is made of respect, of lucidity, and light. To understand the truth and make one's self equal to it is everything; and to love is the same thing as to know and to understand. Affection, which I call also compassion, because I see no difference between them, dominates everything by reason of its clear sight. It is a sentiment as immense as if it were mad, and yet it is wise, and of human things it is the only perfect one. There is no great sentiment which is not completely held on the arms of compassion. ~ Henri Barbusse

3 Kalki 14:04, 16 May 2008 (UTC) with a lean toward 4.
1 because these quotes dealing with compassion, love, and furthermore, now "affection" are truly not meaningful. Zarbon 14:50, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
3 InvisibleSun 19:58, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

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Music is like a mirror in front of you. You're exposing everything, but surely that's better than suppressing. ... You have to dig deep and that can be hard for anybody, no matter what profession. I feel that I need to actually push myself to the limit to feel happy with the end result. ~ Enya

3 Kalki 14:04, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
1 because as with the Barbusse page, I found nothing worthwhile on the Enya page either. This is a statement that the musician decided to make and in no way is it memorable. Never mind that but in no way is it even worthwhile, not to mention the fact that it has no deeper meaning.Zarbon 14:50, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
2 InvisibleSun 19:58, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

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