The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.
Quote from Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times Read More »
I think of these desert years of mine, not of my choosing. Maybe if it were all smooth and comfortable, if my pride and professionalism were defining life for me, God’s steel-quiet, penetrating word would have been lost in the babble and sheen of success.
Quote from Luci Shaw Read More »
The trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. Only pain is intellectual, only evil interesting. This is the treason of the artist; a refusal to admit the banality of evil and the terrible boredom of pain.
Quote from Ursula K. Le Guin, The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas Read More »
Pain is a byproduct of life. Thatâs the truth. Life sometimes sucks. Thatâs true for everyone. But if you donât face the pain and the suck, you donât ever get the other things either. Laughter. Joy. Love. Pain passes, but those things are worth fighting for. Worth dying for.
Quote from Jim Butcher, Vignette Read More »
…unrequited love does not die; it’s only beaten down to a secret place where it hides, curled and wounded. For some unfortunates, it turns bitter and mean, and those who come after pay the price for the hurt done by the one who came before.
Quote from Elle Newmark, The Book of Unholy Mischief Read More »
It will hurt.” said Petra. “But let’s make the most of what we have, and not let future pain ruin present happiness.
Quote from Orson Scott Card, Shadow Puppets Read More »
When we fully understand the brevity of life, its fleeting joys and unavoidable pains; when we accept the facts that all men and women are approaching an inevitable doom: the consciousness of it should make us more kindly and considerate of each other. This feeling should make men and women use their best efforts to help their fellow travelers on the road, to make the path brighter and easier as we journey on. It should bring a closer kinship, a better understanding, and a deeper sympathy for the wayfarers who must live a common life and die a common death.
Quote from Clarence Darrow, The Essential Words and Writings of Clarence Darrow Read More »
You donât want me to stand against the council. You want a magic wand, so you can walk around smacking people with it until everythingâs just the way you like it. But guess what, Faythe? Life doesnât work like that. Life bites, and the harder you fight it, the more leverage it has to tear your heart right out of your chest. And if you really want to wake this particular sleeping dog, the truth is that if youâd just taken that “damn ring” five years ago, none of this shit would ever have happened!
Quote from Rachel Vincent, Pride Read More »