But what is Hope? Nothing but the paint on the face of Existence; the least touch of truth rubs it off, and then we see what a hollow-cheeked harlot we have got hold of.
Lord ByronRead
I cannot help thinking that the menace of Hell makes as many devils as the severe penal codes of inhuman humanity make villains.
Interpretation
By instilling fear of punishment, society may create more wrongdoers than it deters.
This quote by Lord Byron suggests that the fear of Hell, akin to the harsh laws imposed by society, can lead to the creation of evil rather than preventing it. Byron critiques human justice systems and religious beliefs, implying that creating fear can breed rebellion and wrongdoing instead of morality and virtue, thereby questioning the effectiveness and morality of using fear as a deterrent against evil actions.
In practice
A sermon discussing the nature of punishment and its effects on morality.
But what is Hope? Nothing but the paint on the face of Existence; the least touch of truth rubs it off, and then we see what a hollow-cheeked harlot we have got hold of.
It is the lava of the imagination whose eruption prevents an earthquake.
For what were all these country patriots born? To hunt, and vote, and raise the price of corn?
Absence - that common cure of love.
Her great merit is finding out mine; there is nothing so amiable as discernment.
But words are things, and a small drop of ink, Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.
Wealth is an inborn attitude of mind, like poverty. The pauper who has made his pile may flaunt his spoils, but cannot wear them plausibly.
Generally, I tend to despise human behavior rather than human creatures.
Fake is as old as the Eden tree.
Whoever is open, loyal, true; of humane and affable demeanour; honourable himself, and in his judgement of others; faithful to his word as to law, and faithful alike to God and man....such a man is a true gentleman.
Power is not sufficient evidence of truth.
The optimist sees a light at the end of the tunnel, the realist sees a train entering the tunnel, the pessimist sees a train speeding at him, hell for leather, and the machinist sees three idiots sitting on the rail track. "The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; the pessimist fears this is true."
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.