Laurient Quotes & Sayings

When they first emerged in their present shape around the turn of the 18th century, the so-called humane disciplines had a crucial social role. It was to foster and protect the kind of values for which a philistine social order had precious little time. The modern humanities and industrial capitalism were more or less twinned at birth. To preserve a set of values and ideas under siege, you needed among other things institutions known as universities set somewhat apart from everyday social life. This remoteness meant that humane study could be lamentably ineffectual. But it also allowed the humanities to launch a critique of conventional wisdom. — Terry Eagleton

You have the right to make this determination, even if I don't appreciate it. But at times like this, I almost wish I could relax my standards. If I did, I might console myself with the possibility of using a dull, rusty needle on you someday. — Cathy Marie Hake

It was very sad, he thought. The things men carried inside. The things men did or felt they had to do. — Tim O'Brien

This music won't do. There's not enough sarcasm in it. — Samuel Goldwyn

The criteria for serving one's country should be competence, courage and willingness to serve. When we deny people the chance to serve because of their sexual orientation, we deprive them of their rights of citizenship, and we deprive our armed forces the service of willing and capable Americans. — Dianne Feinstein

Viola De Lesseps: You have never spoken so well of him before.
William Shakespeare: He was not dead before. — Marc Norman

if I can gain the public ear at all, I would rather whisper a few wholesome truths therein than much soft nonsense — Anne Bronte

Any play is hard to write, and plays are getting harder and harder to get on the stage. — Alan Alda

Living Life Tomorrow's fate, though thou be wise, Thou canst not tell nor yet surmise; Pass, therefore, not today in vain, For it will never come again. — Omar Khayyam

Less money spent on billboards that just make us feel good about ourselves and more on soup kitchens and organized visits to the sick and dying. — Rebecca Goldstein