Civilizational Decline Quotes & Sayings

Abraham Lincoln is reputed to have said that if he had eight hours to cut down a tree, he'd spend several of these hours sharpening his ax. — Irvin D. Yalom

Sincere and unspiteful laughter is mirth, but where is there any mirth in our time, and do people know how to be mirthful? ... A man's mirth is a feature that gives away the whole man, from head to foot. Someone's character won't be cracked for a long time then the man bursts out laughing somehow quite sincerely, and his whole character suddenly opens up as if on the flat of your hand. Only a man of the loftiest and happiest development knows how to be mirthful infectiously, that is, irresistibly and goodheartedly. I'm not speaking of his mental development, but of his character, of the whole man. And so, if you want to discern a man and know his soul, you must look, not at how he keeps silent, or how he speaks, or how we weeps, or even how he is stirred by the noblest ideas, but you had better look at him when he laughs. If a man has a good laugh, it means he's a good man. — Fyodor Dostoyevsky

When you hear the elephant music you're hearing what they mean to make. — Dave Soldier

He trusted only Devers, and why was that? Devers said, "We're going here," and they went there. Devers said, "Expect this and that," and this and that came to pass. But the rumor was that Ike didn't like Devers, and Frank figured this was the reason - Devers didn't have his head up his ass, and everyone else did. — Jane Smiley

Have you been listening to the music that many young folks are hearing today? Some of it is nerve-jamming in nature and much of it has been deliberately designed to promote revolution, dope, immorality, and a gap between parent and child. And some of this music has invaded our Church cultural halls.

Have you noticed some of our Church dances lately? Have they been praiseworthy, lovely, and of good report? (Article of Faith 13.) "I doubt," said President McKay, "whether it is possible to dance most of the prevalent fad dances in a manner to meet LDS standards. — Ezra Taft Benson

Live a life justly, care for others faithfully. — Debasish Mridha

In evil times, when public virtue has left the earth, ancient writings are of little account, and no one cares to disturb the silence of the libraries. — Joseph-Arthur De Gobineau

Whatever you're selling, storage or networking or security, you're going head to head with the incumbent players. — Marc Andreesen

The world was a world of dreaming souls who could not die. — Justin Cronin

The cypresses are always occupying my thoughts. — Vincent Van Gogh