A quotation from Marcus Aurelius

Our anger and annoyance are more detrimental to us than the things themselves which anger or annoy us.
 
[Ὄγδοον, ὅσῳ χαλεπώτερα ἐπιφέρουσιν αἱ ὀργαὶ καὶ λῦπαι αἱ ἐπὶ τοῖς τοιούτοις, ἤπερ αὐτά ἐστιν ἐφ’ οἷς ὀργιζόμεθα καὶ λυπούμεθα.]

Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) Roman emperor (161-180), Stoic philosopher
Meditations [To Himself; Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν], Book 11, ch. 18 (11.18) (AD 161-180) [tr. Staniforth (1964)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/marcus-aureleus/2295…

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A quotation from John Adams

Power always Sincerely, conscientiously, de très bon Foi, believes itself Right. Power always thinks it has a great Soul and vast Views, beyond the Comprehension of the Weak; and that it is doing God Service when it is violating all his Laws.

John Adams (1735–1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797–1801)
Letter (1816-02-02) to Thomas Jefferson

More about this quote: wist.info/adams-john/27193/

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Adopting a consequentialist frame — focusing on outcomes instead of moral posturing—would reduce polarization, encourage humility and foster more productive dialogue. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/02/17/world/everyone-is-so-self-righteous/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #worldnews #selfrighteousness #protests

A quotation from Salman Rushdie

From the beginning men used God to justify the unjustifiable.

Salman Rushdie (b. 1947) Indian novelist
The Satanic Verses, Part 2 “Mahound” (1988)

More about this quote: wist.info/rushdie-salman/82033…

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A quotation from Fénelon

God bears with imperfect beings, even when they resist his goodness. We ought to imitate this merciful patience and endurance. It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others.

François Fénelon (1651-1715) French Catholic archbishop, theologian, poet, writer [François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon]
Letter (1710-10-11) to Duchess de Montemart

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/fenelon-francois/816…

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A quotation from Samuel Johnson

Even the acquisition of knowledge is often much facilitated by the advantages of society: he that never compares his notions with those of others, readily acquiesces in his first thoughts, and very seldom discovers the objections which may be raised against his opinions; he, therefore, often thinks himself in possession of truth, when he is only fondling an errour long since exploded. He that has neither companions nor rivals in his studies, will always applaud his own progress, and think highly of his performances, because he knows not that others have equalled or excelled him. And I am afraid it may be added, that the student who withdraws himself from the world, will soon feel that ardour extinguished which praise or emulation had enkindled, and take the advantage of secrecy to sleep, rather than to labour.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Essay (1754-01-19), The Adventurer, No. 126

More about this quote: wist.info/johnson-samuel/81496…

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A quotation from La Rochefoucauld

It is generally pride rather than lack of intelligence which prompts men to dispute so obstinately generally accepted opinions; they find all the front seats taken on the popular side, and do not wish to sit behind.
 
[C’est plus souvent par orgueil que par défaut de lumières qu’on s’oppose avec tant d’opiniâtreté aux opinions les plus suivies: on trouve les premières places prises dans le bon parti, et on ne veut point des dernières.]

François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶234 (1665-1678) [tr. Stevens (1939)]

More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/la-rochefoucauld-fra…

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A quotation from Moliere

DANDIN: It infuriates me to be wrong when I know I’m right.
 
[J’enrage de bon cœur d’avoir tort, lorsque j’ai raison.]

Molière (1622-1673) French playwright, actor [stage name for Jean-Baptiste Poquelin]
George Dandin, or the Confounded Husband [oui le Mari confondu], Act 1, sc. 7 (1668)

More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/moliere/2876/

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A quotation from Moliere

   SGANARELLE: Have you no fears about returning here? It was here, Sir, that you killed that Commander, six months ago.
   DON JUAN: Why should I be afraid? Didn’t I kill him properly?
 
   [SGANARELLE: Et n’y craignez-vous rien, monsieur, de la mort de ce commandeur que vous tuâtes il y a six mois?
   DON JUAN: Et pourquoi craindre? ne l’ai-je pas bien tué?]

Molière (1622-1673) French playwright, actor [stage name for Jean-Baptiste Poquelin]
Don Juan [Dom Juan], Act 1, sc. 2 (1665) [tr. Wilbur (2001)]

More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/moliere/80359/

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A quotation from Orwell

Official war propaganda, with its disgusting hypocrisy and self-righteousness, always tends to make thinking people sympathize with the enemy.

George Orwell (1903-1950) English writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]
Essay (1942-08), “Looking Back on the Spanish War, ch. 2, New Road (1943-06)

More about this quote: wist.info/orwell-george/80185/

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