“Life without a design is erratic. As soon as one is in place, principles become necessary. I think you’ll concede that nothing is more shameful than uncertain and wavering conduct, and beating a cowardly retreat. This will happen in all our affairs unless we remove the faults that seize and detain our spirits, preventing them from pushing forward and making an all-out effort.” —SENECA, MORAL LETTERS, 95.46
by John Wooden
People seek retreats for themselves in the country, by the sea, or in the mountains. You are very much in the habit of yearning for those same things. But this is entirely the trait of a base person, when you can, at any moment, find such a retreat in yourself. For nowhere can you find a more peaceful and less busy retreat than in your own soul—especially if on close inspection it is filled with ease, which I say is nothing more than being well-ordered. Treat yourself often to this retreat and be renewed. —MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 4.3.1
by Anne Somerset
I agree with this reviewer on Amazon.
I truly wanted to learn more about Queen Elizabeth I and her reign, and was willing to take a summer to read this book.
Alas, this is a book of history written by an accountant. There is no intrigue, no battle, no war, no romance within that has not been reduced to a long, drawn-out bloodless pedantic bore.
A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd – Islwyn Jeneins
If a person gave away your body to some passerby, you’d be furious. Yet you hand over your mind to anyone who comes along, so they may abuse you, leaving it disturbed and troubled—have you no shame in that? —EPICTETUS, ENCHIRIDION, 28
Usually, what you wish for doesn’t fall in your lap; it falls somewhere nearby, and you have to recognize it, stand up, and put in the time and work it takes to get to it. – Neil Strauss