The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

There are no second acts in American lives.

To allow the market mechanism to be sole director of the fate of human beings and their natural environment would result in the demolition of society.

-- Karl Polanyi

The history of humanity is also a history of excavating hidden facts.

-- Seichō Matsumoto

A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.

-- Henrik Ibsen

The benefit morality gives us is economy of time and effort. The damage it does is the complete paralysis of conscience.

-- Ryūnosuke Akutagawa

Be not defeated by the rain, be not defeated by the wind.

-- Kenji Miyazawa

Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.

-- Victor Hugo