The real "haves" are they who can acquire freedom, self-confidence, and even riches without depriving others of them. They acquire all of these by developing and applying their potentialities. On the other hand, the real "have nots" are they who cannot have aught except by depriving others of it. They can feel free only by diminishing the freedom of others, self-confident by spreading fear and dependence among others, and rich by making others poor.

It is doubtful whether the oppressed ever fight for freedom. They fight for pride and power-power to oppress others.

...in the shaping of a life, chance and the ability to respond to chance are everything.

The superficiality of many is a result of deep fears. It takes spare time to think things out; it takes free time to mature. People in a hurry may not think well or mature well. The next best is a state of perpetual puerility.

The chemistry of dissatisfaction is as the chemistry of some marvelously potent tar. In it are the building stones of explosives, stimulants, poisons, opiates, perfumes and stenches.

We are least open to precise knowledge concerning the things we are most vehement about.

There is probably nothing more sublime than discontent transmuted into a work of art, a scientific discovery, and so on.