Wit & Wisdom

from Benjamin Franklin, Harry Truman, George Orwell, Mark Twain, James Thurber, Dorothy Thompson, George Carlin

“If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.”

Benjamin Franklin, quoted in the Raleigh, N.C., Chronicle

“A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.”

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“On the whole, human beings want to be good, but not too good and not quite all the time.”

George Orwell, quoted in the London Mirror

“Buy land because they’re not making it anymore.”

Mark Twain, quoted in the London Guardian

“There are two kinds of light—the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.”

James Thurber, quoted in the Mobile, Ala., Press-Register

“Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.”

Dorothy Thompson, quoted in the Associated Press

“It’s never just a game when you’re winning.”

George Carlin, quoted in the St. Paul, Minn., Pioneer Press