“Aristotle was the first accurate critic and truest judge nay, the greatest philosopher the world ever had; for he noted the vices of all knowledges, in all creatures, and out of many men’s perfections in a science he formed still one Art.”

Whosoever loves not picture is injurious to truth, and all the wisdom of poetry. Picture is the invention of heaven, the most ancient and most akin to nature. It is itself a silent work, and always one and the same habit.

Many might go to heaven with half the labour they go to hell, if they would venture their industry the right way.

All concord’s born of contraries.

Minds that are great and free, should not on fortune pause: ‘Tis crown enough to virtue still, her own applause.

Ambition, like a torrent, never looks back.

The dignity of truth is lost with much protesting.

Freedom doth with degree dispense.

Good men are the stars, the planets of the ages wherein they live, and illustrate the times.

There is no bounty to be showed to such As have real goodness: Bounty is A spice of virtue; and what virtuous act Can take effect on them that have no power Of equal habitude to apprehend it?

I perceive affection makes a fool Of any man too much the father.

Court a mistress, she denies you; let her alone, she will court you.

Nor shall our cups make any guilty men; But at our parting, we will be, as when We innocently met.

Force works on servile natures, not the free.

It is virtue that gives glory; that will endenizen a man everywhere.

Queen and huntress, chaste and fair Now the sun is laid to sleep, Seated in thy silver chair, State in wonted manner keep: Hesperus entreats thy light Goddess, excellently bright.

They, who know no evil, will suspect none.

If mob law is going to rule, better dismiss, judge, sheriff, etc., and let’s all take chances alike.

Whether a tops-down or bottoms-up investor in bonds, stocks, or private equity, the standard analysis tends to judge an investor or his firm on the basis of how the bullish or bearish aspects of the cycle were managed.

So you’re stuck. Every time your madman starts to write, your judge pounces on him… So start by promising your judge that you’ll get around to asking his opinion, but not now. And then let the madman energy flow… Save details for the judge.

There is in each of us a stream of tendency, whether you choose to call it philosophy or not, which gives coherence and direction to thought and action. Judges cannot escape that current any more than other mortals.

Europe and America should judge Georgia’s leadership on the basis of their actions, not just their words and promises. Otherwise Saakashvili will transform Georgia into a dictatorship.

[On being a judge for the 1986 Booker Prize:] I got to the point where I couldn’t read a laundry list without considering it for the Booker Prize.

When you’re offstage, that’s the footprint. That’s the man God’s gonna judge.

You can’t judge people by their cover.