Aphorism of the Day

I either want less corruption, or more chance to participate in it.

Ashleigh Brilliant, Brilliant Thoughts (copyright info: www.ashleighbrilliant.com), in Altruism and Cynicism and Law and Politics

I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution.

Werner von Braun, in Success and Failure

Any time something is written against me, I not only share the sentiment but feel I could do the job far better myself. Perhaps I should advise would-be enemies to send me their grievances beforehand, with full assurance that they will receive my every aid and support. I have even secretly longed to write, under a pen name, a merciless tirade against myself.

Jorge Luis Borges, (autobiographical essay, 1970), in Art and Literature

Genealogy is based on the obviously silly idea that there is no such thing as a bastard.

Nicolas Martin, in Life and Death and Science and Religion

Any idiot can face a crisis; it is this day-to-day living that wears you out.

Anton Chekhov, in Life and Death

Any time things appear to be going better, you have overlooked something.

Unknown, in Success and Failure

I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving -- we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it -- but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, in Work and Recreation

Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist.

Kenneth Boulding, in Wealth and Poverty

Today the real test of power is not the capacity to make war but the capacity to prevent it.

Anne O'Hare McCormick, in War and Peace

Truly great madness can not be achieved without significant intelligence.

Henrik Tikkanen, in Science and Religion and Wisdom and Ignorance