Spalding Quotes & Sayings

The lover of education labors first of all to educate himself. — John Lancaster Spalding

I knew I couldn't live in America and I wasn't ready to move to Europe so I moved to an island off the coast of America - New York City . — Spalding Gray

In the world of thought a man's rank is determined, not by his average work, but by his highest achievement. — John Lancaster Spalding

When Mom had her first nervous breakdown, she said she had a vision of Christ coming to her in the living room. — Spalding Gray

Dislike of another's opinions and beliefs neither justifies our own nor makes us more certain of them: and to transfer the repugnance to the person himself is a mark of a vulgar mind. — John Lancaster Spalding

There's something profoundly intense and intoxicating about friendship found en route. It's the bond that arises from being thrust into uncomfortable circumstances, and the vulnerability of trusting others to navigate those situations. It's the exhilaration of meeting someone when we are our most alive selves, breathing new air, high on life-altering moments. It's the discovery of the commonality of the world's people and the attendant rejection of prejudices. It's the humbling experience of being suspicious of a stranger who then extends a great kindness. It's the astonishment of learning from those we set out to teach. It's the intimacy of sharing small spaces, the recognition of a kindred spirit across the globe.
It's the travel relationship, and it can only call itself family. — Lavinia Spalding

I am insubordinate by nature. I can't help it. — Esperanza Spalding

If thy words are wise, they will not seem so to the foolish: if they are deep the shallow will not appreciate them. Think not highly of thyself, then, when thou art praised by many. — John Lancaster Spalding

Liberty is more precious than money or office; and we should be vigilant lest we purchase wealth or place at the price of inner freedom. — John Lancaster Spalding

I fear that I won't get better and that I won't have time to practice. To be called a "jazz musician" - it's a big responsibility. — Esperanza Spalding

Few know the joys that spring from a disinterested curiosity. It is like a cheerful spirit that leads us through worlds filled with what is true and fair, which we admire and love because it is true and fair. — John Lancaster Spalding

In education, as in religion and love, compulsion thwarts the purpose for which it is employed. — John Lancaster Spalding

Baseball is the exponent of American Courage, Confidence, Combativeness, American Dash, Discipline, Determination, American Energy, Eagerness, Enthusiasm, American Pluck, Persistency, Performance, American Spirit, Sagacity, Success, American Vim, Vigor, Virility. — Albert Goodwill Spalding

Women are aristocrats, and it is always the mother who makes us feel that we belong to the better sort. — John Lancaster Spalding

There are who mistake the spirit of pugnacity for the spirit of piety, and thus harbor a devil instead of an angel. — John Lancaster Spalding

I did grow up in a rough neighborhood in Portland, which is an abstract concept for anybody who's rolled through Portland because now it looks like a TV set, literally. — Esperanza Spalding

St. Francis of Assisi had a saying, which was, "We are who we are in God's eyes and no more." We should keep this in mind when the spirit of vanity and pride want to rule us! How — Victoria Spalding

Two hours is about as long as any American can wait for the close of a baseball game, or anything else for that matter. — Al Spalding

There's enough time in the day: If you go to bed at 10 and start your day at 6, there's a lot you can do in a day! — Esperanza Spalding

I don't watch TV, I don't spend time on the Internet, and I don't party much. I don't text very much, either. — Esperanza Spalding

Whoever you are, if you know what you're doing, you don't want other people to overtake the merit of your art. — Esperanza Spalding

And in this role (the Stage Manager) I could speak from my heart, you know! ... provided I can memorize the lines. — Spalding Gray

I grew up with an incredibly loving and supportive family that gave me the impression there were a lot of options for me out there. — Esperanza Spalding

If thy friends tire of thee, remember that it is human to tire of everything. — John Lancaster Spalding

Do definite good; first of all to yourself, then to definite persons. — John Lancaster Spalding

What we enjoy, not what we possess, is ours, and in labouring for the possession of many things, we lose the power to enjoy the best. — John Lancaster Spalding

When we have not the strength or the courage to grasp a new truth, we persuade ourselves that it is not a truth at all. — John Lancaster Spalding

As we can not love what is hateful, let us accustom ourselves neither to think nor to speak of disagreeable things and persons. — John Lancaster Spalding

Baseball gives a growing boy self poise and self reliance. — Al Spalding

The will the one thing it is most important to educate we neglect. — John Lancaster Spalding

If we attempt to sink the soul in matter, its light is quenched. — John Lancaster Spalding

I see [my pen] as an extension of my musculature. It's like being a painter. It's the closest I can get to my breath. — Spalding Gray

Overheard at O'Banion's Beer Emporium: "Pardon me, darlin', but I'm writin' a telephone book. C'n I have yer number? — Henry D. Spalding

When I first came to New York City in 1967, I joined up with Richard Schechner's Performance Group - where we worked in the Performing Garage in SoHo. — Spalding Gray

Whoever has freed himself from envy and bitterness may begin to try to see things as they are. — John Lancaster Spalding

Your faith is what you believe, not what you know. — John Lancaster Spalding

The study of law is valuable as a mental discipline, but the practice of pleading tends to make one petty, formal, and insincere. To be driven to look to legality rather than to equity blurs the view of truth and justice. — John Lancaster Spalding

The first requisite of a gentleman is to be true, brave and noble, and to be therefore a rebuke and scandal to venal and vulgar souls. — John Lancaster Spalding

I fantasize about going back to high school with the knowledge I have now. I would shine. I would have a good time, I would have a girlfriend. I think that's where a lot of my pain comes from. I think I never had any teenage years to go back to. — Spalding Gray

When people used to ask me why I got involved with Hollywood films, I would say jokingly that it was for the health insurance. — Spalding Gray

Worry, whatever its source, weakens, takes away courage, and shortens life. — John Lancaster Spalding

I'm kind of this control freak that likes to create his own hells before the real one can get to him — Spalding Gray

He who leaves school, knowing little, but with a longing for knowledge, will go farther than one who quits, knowing many things, but not caring to learn more. — John Lancaster Spalding

So many people are so good at so many things. Right now I'm lucky we're supposed to smile during the curtain call, because I'm so happy this is the thing I'm good at. — Amy Spalding

so approach it with love as you approach yourself with love. Do not attack or run, but at first just look and see what can be changed. Even a little change can reap large results over time. The feelings you have today of sadness and fear are okay, dear one. They remind you of where you were and prod you to take care of your thought. This is the next lesson. — Tina L Spalding

The highest courage is to dare to appear to be what one is — John Lancaster Spalding

Faith, like love, unites; opinion, like hate, separates. — John Lancaster Spalding

I started home school around sixth grade, but I'd only done a couple of national commercials. I remember I had this Spalding commercial with Paul Pierce from the Celtics, and I used to go to school, and people made fun of it. It wasn't even cool to be an actor; you got made fun of. — Tequan Richmond

The festivities have a fancy dress theme... inevitable. Here's what i consider to be an undisputed fact: nobody actually likes going to fancy dress parties. If the government declared tomorrow that fancy dress parties were banned, nobody would mind. Why? Because you spend the weeks before the bloody thing worrying about what to wear and how much it's going to cost you. Then you either trawl around the charity shops every afternoon until you find a leather jacket that look slightly like the one Indiana Jones wears, or you throw in the towel and buy one of those mass-produced nasty costumes that come in a bag and fall apart before you've even arrived at the party. Then you realize that everybody's costume is a hundred times better than yours, and you look like the special kid who always stand at the back of the school concert waving at the fire exit. — Nick Spalding

I think of my father and how confused he was by me. He understood my love for theater, and he understood that New York City was the only place that it was happening in America, really, in any live way. — Spalding Gray

Friends humor and flatter us, they steal our time, they encourage our love of ease, they make us content with ourselves, they are the foes of our virtue and our glory. — John Lancaster Spalding

Jazz music just resonates with the frequency of me. — Esperanza Spalding

I was consumed by some kind of unholy, indignant rage that propelled me through the confrontation to its successful conclusion - and out the other side into the cool, calm lagoon of reflective dread known as the 'what the fuck have I just done?' feeling. — Nick Spalding

My earliest attempts at writing were when I was seven. I would sit at the piano and transcribe the songs I heard on the radio. I'd change little things in the music and write different lyrics. — Esperanza Spalding

To learn the worth of a man's religion, do business with him. — John Lancaster Spalding

I'm the man who sits behind a table and tells true stories from his life. I'm also an actor. I was trained as an actor at Emerson College, and I use that training to play myself. — Spalding Gray

The study of science, dissociated from that of philosophy and literature, narrows the mind and weakens the power to love and follow the noblest ideals: for the truths which science ignores and must ignore are precisely those which have the deepest bearing on life and conduct. — John Lancaster Spalding

In giving us dominion over the animal kingdom God has signified His will that we subdue the beast within ourselves. — John Lancaster Spalding

I was not able to understand how it could be right to pay an actor, or a singer, or an instrumentalist for entertaining the public and wrong to pay a ball player for doing exactly the same thing. — Al Spalding

If there were ever a cadaver eligible for sainthood, it would not be our Spalding Gray upon the cross, it would be these guys: the brain-dead, beating-heart organ donors that come and go in our hospitals every day. — Mary Roach

I just think music is so intrinsically linked with images in the culture that we live in that you'll be hard-pressed to have an experience with the music without a preconceived notion. — Esperanza Spalding

Jack had an actor's control." Chuck Spalding — David Pietrusza

I was darkly convinced that at age 52 I would kill myself because my mother committed suicide at that age. I was fantasizing that she was waiting for me on the other side of the grave. — Spalding Gray

As the visit of one we love makes the whole day pleasant, so is it illumined and made fair by a brave and beautiful thought. — John Lancaster Spalding

The common prejudice against philosophy is the result of the incapacity of the multitude to deal with the highest problems. — John Lancaster Spalding

What's so fascinating about New Yorkers is that each person has a whole lexicon of personal logic in the way that they decipher and do what has to be done to enjoy, stay alive, take pleasure in this place. — Spalding Gray

The important thing is how we know, not what or how much. — John Lancaster Spalding

I hadn't had a perfect moment yet. And it's very important for me to have perfect moments in exotic countries like that ... it kind of lets you know when it's time to go home ... — Spalding Gray

Passion is begotten of passion, and it easily happens, as with the children of great men, that the base is the offspring of the noble. — John Lancaster Spalding

The teacher does best, not when he explains, but when he impels his pupils to seek themselves the explanation. — John Lancaster Spalding

They who see through the eyes of others are controlled by the will of others. — John Lancaster Spalding

Anything I do has to have integrity, so if you just want to make music, it's not difficult finding support. The hard part for a publicist or manager is making a star. — Esperanza Spalding

When guests enter the room their entertainers rise to receive them; and in all meetings men should ascend into their higher selves, imparting to one another only the best they know and love. — John Lancaster Spalding

Whom little things occupy and keep busy, are little men. — John Lancaster Spalding

As memory may be a paradise from which we cannot be driven, it may also be a hell from which we cannot escape. — John Lancaster Spalding

The able have no desire to appear to be so, and this is part of their ability. — John Lancaster Spalding

Radio allowed me to be a creator, and TV stole that creation from me by literalizing - and to some extent limiting - my vision. — Spalding Gray

The fields and the flowers and the beautiful faces are not ours, as the stars and the hills and the sunlight are not ours, but they give us fresh and happy thoughts. — John Lancaster Spalding

What is greatly desired, but long deferred, gives little pleasure, when at length it is ours, for we have lived with it in imagination until we have grown weary of it, having ourselves, in the meanwhile, become other. — John Lancaster Spalding

We may outgrow the things of children, without acquiring sense and relish for those which become a man. — John Lancaster Spalding

If science were nothing more than the best means of teaching the love of the simple fact, the indispensable need of verification, of careful and accurate observation and statement, its value would be of the highest order. — John Lancaster Spalding

One may speak Latin and have but the mind of a peasant. — John Lancaster Spalding

The common man is impelled and controlled by interests; the superior, by ideas. — John Lancaster Spalding

They whom trifles distract and nothing occupies are but children. — John Lancaster Spalding

To secure approval one must remain within the bounds of conventional mediocrity. Whatever lies beyond, whether it be greater insight and virtue, or greater stolidity and vice, is condemned. The noblest men, like the worst criminals, have been done to death. — John Lancaster Spalding

Leave each one his touch of folly; it helps to lighten life's burden which, if he could see himself as he is, might be too heavy to carry. — John Lancaster Spalding

I think of New York as a puree and the rest of the United States as vegetable soup. — Spalding Gray

The power of free will is developed and confirmed by increasing the number of worthy motives which influence conduct. — John Lancaster Spalding

What we think out for ourselves forms channels in which other thoughts will flow. — John Lancaster Spalding

To cultivate the memory we should confide to it only what we understand and love: the rest is a useless burden; for simply to know by rote is not to know at all. — John Lancaster Spalding

To receive more, we must give out what we receive ... For it is by giving that we set in operation the unfailing law of measure for measure. With no thought of receiving, it is impossible to avoid receiving, for the abundance you have given is returned to you in fulfillment of the law. — Baird T. Spalding

We shrink from the contemplation of our dead bodies, forgetting that when dead they are no longer ours, and concern us as little as the hairs that have fallen from our heads. — John Lancaster Spalding

How theraputic it is to surrond yourself with people stranger than yourself. — Spalding Gray

For what I can imagine and feel and think and hear, I can hardly do anything on the acoustic bass. It used to be just pure frustration of imagining so much more and being able to get to a certain level of execution. — Esperanza Spalding

Though what we accept be true, it is a prejudice unless we ourselves have considered and understood why and how it is true. — John Lancaster Spalding

A gentleman does not appear to know more or to be more than those with whom he is thrown into company. — John Lancaster Spalding

I'm not gonna sit around and waste my precious divine energy trying to explain and be ashamed of things you think are wrong with me. — Esperanza Spalding

One of the ways to reincarnate is to tell your story. — Spalding Gray

What we love to do we find time to do. — John Lancaster Spalding

One thing that pisses me off royally is hearing drug companies denounced as the devil. I don't like giant corporations (or, in the words of Spalding Gray, "the big indifferent machine") any more than anyone else, but I really don't like wanting to kill myself. A person who denounces psychopharmaceuticals based on a political agenda is a person who has never lain crumpled in a ball in the closet, sobbing uncontrollably, face covered in Sharpie, throat raw from induced vomiting. Accordingly, that person should be thankful and shut the hell up. — Stacy Pershall