From the paths of blood (and such is the history of nations) I cannot refuse to turn aside to gather some flowers of science or virtue.

And the winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

Imam Hussain's sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of rightousness.

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

The various modes of worship which prevailed in the Roman world were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher as equally false; and by the magistrate as equally useful.

And thus toleration produced not only mutual indulgence, but even religious concord. The superstition of the people was not embittered theological rancor.

Let us read with method, and propose to ourselves an end to which our studies may point. The use of reading is to aid us in thinking.

In the end, they wanted security more than they wanted freedom.

Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.

Vicissitudes of fortune, which spares neither man nor the proudest of his works, which buries empires and cities in a common grave.

We improve ourselves by victories over ourselves. There must be contest, and we must win.

The opinions of souls are their state of being. Dwell on your own sacred thoughts.

None preaches better than the ant and she says nothing.

I was sort of a half-breed of colonization, understanding everyone because I belonged completely to no one.

I think you can go to school at any age.

On Easter or Christmas Day, my mother might drag me to church, just as she dragged me to the Buddhist temple, the Chinese New Year celebration, the Shinto shrine, and ancient Hawaiian burial sites.

I'm not a performer who will come on stage and tell you everything about my life. It's just not who I am.

We've found some things that are suspicious in nature, and we're going to err on the side of caution.

Cravings are what drive habits. And figuring out how to spark a craving makes creating a new habit easier.

The questions I'm asking myself are, 'What makes me happy? Where do I want to be? What will make me happy at 50, 60 and 70?'

Sometimes my worst day - one filled with pain and suffering - in the eyes of God, is my best day if I've born it cheerfully and I've born it with love.