George Bernard Shaw (on moral reflection/holding unusual values):
“The fact that we can become accustomed to anything [...] makes it necessary to examine everything we are accustomed to.”
Nick Bostrom (on seeing the better world we could have):
“Utopia is the hope that the scattered fragments of good that we come across from time to time in our lives can be put together, one day, to reveal the shape of a new kind of life.”
Bryan Caplan (on epistemic modesty):
“Look in the mirror. You don’t know the best way to deal with Russia.”
Arcade Fire, “Month of May”:
I said some things are pure, and some things are right
But the kids are still standing with their arms folded tight
[...]
Well, I know it’s heavy, I know it ain’t light
But how you gonna lift it with your arms folded tight?
J.R.R. Tolkein:
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay, “Dirge Without Music” (on defeating death):
Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.
George Bernard Shaw (on moral reflection/holding unusual values):
“The fact that we can become accustomed to anything [...] makes it necessary to examine everything we are accustomed to.”
Nick Bostrom (on seeing the better world we could have):
“Utopia is the hope that the scattered fragments of good that we come across from time to time in our lives can be put together, one day, to reveal the shape of a new kind of life.”
Bryan Caplan (on epistemic modesty):
“Look in the mirror. You don’t know the best way to deal with Russia.”
Arcade Fire, “Month of May”:
I said some things are pure, and some things are right
But the kids are still standing with their arms folded tight
[...]
Well, I know it’s heavy, I know it ain’t light
But how you gonna lift it with your arms folded tight?
J.R.R. Tolkein:
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay, “Dirge Without Music” (on defeating death):
Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.
Strong upvote for Month of May.