#nation

Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness. ↗

Our dreams prove that to imagine - to dream about things that have not happened - is among mankind's deepest needs. ↗

Love taught me to die with dignity that I might come forth anew in splendor. Born once of flesh, then again of fire, I was reborn a third time to the sound of my name humming haikus in heaven’s mouth. ↗

— Aberjhani

#dignity #faith #haiku #heaven #human-mortality

The seed of an urban legend find fertile soil at the corner of tragedy and imagination. ↗

— Thomm Quackenbush

#tragedy #urban-legend #urban-legends #dreams

Miles had sworn his officer's oath to the Emperor less than two weeks ago, puffed with pride at his achievement. In his secret mind he had imagined himself keeping that oath through blazing battle, enemy torture, what-have-you, even while sharing cynical cracks afterwards with Ivan about archaic dress swords and the sort of people who insisted on wearing them. But in the dark of subtler temptations, those that hurt without heroism for consolation, he foresaw, the Emperor would no longer be the symbol of Barrayar in his heart. Peace to you, small lady, he thought to Raina. You've won a twisted poor modern knight, to wear your favor on his sleeve. But it's a twisted poor world we were both born into, that rejects us without mercy and ejects us without consultation. At least I won't just tilt at windmills for you. I'll send in sappers to mine the twirling suckers, and blast them into the sky.... He knew who he served now. And why he could not quit. And why he must not fail. ↗

— Lois McMaster Bujold

#mourning #imagination

Americans may say they love our accents (I have been accused of sounding 'like Princess Di') but the more thoughtful ones resent and rather dislike us as a nation and people, as friends of mine have found out by being on the edge of conversations where Americans assumed no Englishmen were listening. And it is the English, specifically, who are the targets of this. Few Americans have heard of Wales. All of them have heard of Ireland and many of them think they are Irish. Scotland gets a sort of free pass, especially since Braveheart re-established the Scots' anti-English credentials among the ignorant millions who get their history off the TV. ↗

— Peter Hitchens

#americans #anti-british-sentiment #braveheart #britons #eavesdropping

Procrastination is not the problem. It is the solution. Procrastinate now, don’t put it off. ↗

— Ellen DeGeneres

#procrastinate #procrastination

Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow. ↗

— Steven Wright

#procrastination

Never put off till tomorrow the book you can read today. ↗

— Holbrook Jackson

#procrastination #reading #procrastination

A procrastinators willpower lies in the fact that he keeps work pending because he strongly feels he wants to do the same – keep it pending. ↗