Do not let arguments of expediency persuade you. That is the slow road to oblivion. That is the tortured path to undoing step by step, bit by bit, as the river creates a canyon, the way of life that we love.
Charles SchumerRead
Anyone who thinks they have a monopoly on truth, and there is only one way to see the world, always gets us into trouble.
Interpretation
No one has the absolute truth, and rigid viewpoints can lead to conflict and misunderstanding.
This quote by Charles Schumer emphasizes the importance of recognizing that truth is subjective and that different perspectives can contribute to a more complete understanding of the world. When individuals or groups believe they possess the sole truth, they not only dismiss other viewpoints but also create discord and division, leading to conflict and trouble in society.
In practice
In a debate about societal issues, this quote can remind participants to consider multiple viewpoints.
Do not let arguments of expediency persuade you. That is the slow road to oblivion. That is the tortured path to undoing step by step, bit by bit, as the river creates a canyon, the way of life that we love.
I respect people who feel things passionately. I do. But when someone is a judge, that is not what they should bring to the bench. It is not really passion, except in rare instances, that serves the bench well. It is, rather, an ability to understand the law and follow it.
When writing goes painfully, when it’s hideously difficult, and one feels real despair (ah, the despair, silly as it is, is real!)–then naturally one ought to continue with the work; it would be cowardly to retreat. But when writing goes smoothly–why then one certainly should keep on working, since it would be stupid to stop. Consequently one is always writing or should be writing.
I say what I want to say and do what I want to do. There's no in between. People will either love you for it or hate you for it.
Ask nothing; want nothing in return. Give what you have to give; it will come back to you, but do not think of that now.
We listen to those whom we know to be of the same opinion as ourselves, and we call them wise for being of it; but we avoid such as differ from us.
One can never read too little of bad, or too much of good books: bad books are intellectual poison; they destroy the mind. In order to read what is good one must make it a condition never to read what is bad; for life is short, and both time and strength limited.
The book, the college, the school of art, the institution of any kind, stop with some past utterance of genius. . . . They look backward and not forward. But genius looks forward: the eyes of man are set in his forehead, not in his hindhead: man hopes: genius creates. Whatever talents may be, if the man create not, the pure efflux of the Deity is not his; - cinders and smoke there may be, but not yet flame.
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