Wit & Wisdom

“In order that people may be happy in their work, these three things are needed: They must be fit for it. They must not do too much of it. And they must have a sense of success in it.”

John Ruskin, quoted in the New York Post

“Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation how it shall be spent.”

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Samuel Johnson, quoted in The New York Times

“Being ready is not what matters. What matters is winning after you get there.”

War hero Victor “Brute” Krulak, quoted in The Wall Street Journal

“Death is not the enemy, living in constant fear of it is.”

Norman Cousins, quoted in the Monterey County, Calif., Herald

“You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.”

Colette, quoted in the Montreal Gazette

“Adventure is not outside man; it is within.”

George Eliot, quoted in the Associated Press

“It’s a small world, but I wouldn’t want to paint it.”

Comedian Steven Wright, quoted in the Toronto Globe and Mail