The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
– Although often attributed to Margaret Mead, the origin of this quote and it’s many variants is unclear.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Margaret_Mead
I have always been a romantic; one of those who believes that a woman in pink circus tights holds all the secrets of the world.
– Tom Robbins
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/66023-i-have-always-been-a-romantic-one-of-those-who
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
– Mark Twain
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/4-whenever-you-find-yourself-on-the-side-of-the-majority
If they give you ruled paper, write the other way.
– Juan Ramón Jiménez, as quoted by Ray Bradbury in the epigraph of Fahrenheit 451 (1953). Ray Bradbury died June 5, 2012.
Do not worry if you have built your castles in the air. They are where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.
– Henry David Thoreau
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/henrydavid123472.html
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they’ve faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don’t worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don’t waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long and, in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
…
This writing was famously, and falsely, attributed to Kurt Vonnegut in viral emails, as explained in this article, Sunscreen Spill on the Misinformation Superhighway.