#is

Most of the mess that is called history comes about because kings and presidents cannot be satisfied with a nice chicken and a good loaf of bread. ↗

— Jennifer Donnelly

#history #kings #presidents #revolution #president

You can only chase a butterfly for so long. ↗

— Jane Yolen

#butterfly #chase #culloden #historical-fiction #jane-yolen

And I know I’ve lost. Everything is lost. Everything is over. “As the newly appointed President of this fair planet of ours,” the Mayor says, holding out his hands as if to show me the world for the first time,” let me be the very first to welcome you to its new capital city.” “Todd?” Viola whispers, her eyes closed. I hold her tightly to me. “I’m sorry,” I whisper to her. “I’m so sorry.” We’ve run right into a trap. We’ve run right off the end of the world. “Welcome,” says the Mayor,” to the New Prentisstown. ↗

— Patrick Ness

#lost #new-prentisstown #trap #president

For me, running is both exercise and a metaphor. Running day after day, piling up the races, bit by bit I raise the bar, and by clearing each level I elevate myself. At least that’s why I’ve put in the effort day after day: to raise my own level. I’m no great runner, by any means. I’m at an ordinary – or perhaps more like mediocre – level. But that’s not the point. The point is whether or not I improved over yesterday. In long-distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself, the way you used to be. ↗

— Haruki Murakami

#running #self #effort

Jesus calls us to his rest, and meekness is His method. The meek man cares not at all who is greater than he, for he has long ago decided that the esteem of the world is not worth the effort. ↗

— A.W. Tozer

#discipleship #spiritual-growth #effort

Don't criticize what you can't understand. ↗

— Bob Dylan

#criticism #song-lyrics #understanding

Hypocrisy annoys me, people need to look into mirrors. Let me hold a mirror in front of your face. ↗

— C. JoyBell C.

#hypocrisy #hypocrisy

All of us have to be prevaricators, hypocrites, and liars every day of our lives; otherwise the social structure would fall into pieces the first day. We must act in one another's presence just as we must wear clothes. It is for the best ↗

— O. Henry

#hypocrisy #liars #hypocrisy

Problems that remain persistently insoluble should always be suspected as questions asked in the wrong way. ↗

— Alan Wilson Watts

#persistence

Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans. ↗

— Peter F. Drucker

#persistence #planning #resolve #persistence