Inspirational Quotes 50

Society was ruled by narrow-minded, profoundly incurious people, predatory business men, dull squires, bishops, politicians who could quote Horace but had never heard of algebra. Science was faintly disreputable and religious belief obligatory. Traditionalism, stupidity, snobbishness, patriotism, superstition and love of war seemed to be all on the same side; there was need of someone who could state the opposite point of view… There you were, in a world of pedants, clergymen and golfers, with your future employers exhorting you to ‘get on or get out,’ your parents systematically warping your sexual life. (George Orwell on HG Wells and the 1900s)

A quarter of Britons fib about their weekend activities in an attempt to impress others, according to a study. The survey of 5,000 adults found that more than one in four (27 per cent) admitted being economical with the truth when asked by friends or colleagues what they did on their days off. Going out on a Saturday night topped the list of activities people pretended they did (33 per cent), followed by visiting friends (25 per cent), going to a dinner party (17 per cent), going out for a romantic meal (12 per cent) and taking a mini-break (10 per cent). Psychologist Corinne Sweet said the survey commissioned by Travelodge revealed a degree of ‘Weekendvy’. She said: ‘We don’t want to admit that most of our weekend time is spent trying to catch up with housework, paperwork and lost sleep. 'It’s the horrible feeling that everyone else is having a better time than us, going away, partying or having fun.’ (Daily Mail 7 March 2011)

Don’t forgive bad behaviour: “It is a conclusion that overturns much conventional wisdom on “constructive conflict resolution”. 'There is one plausible explanation - forgiveness allows relatively negative partners to continue their negative behaviours, ultimately harming the relationship.' (Times, Feb 2-11, Prof James McNulty of Tennessee University)

Entire academic paper on queuing - or "sites of subtle signalling where social entitlements are contextually processed". (Sathnam Sanghera)

I fly frequently and at some point I began to notice that the passengers who sit in F/B class seem better-looking than those sitting in Economy (E). (Psychology Today)

Social crawler: a party-goer who accidently mingles with losers. (NYT Oct 2013)

Small victories: Learned that if I set a tiny daily word count, I'll always hit it and often write more. Small goals, consistent wins. (Paul Western-Pittard ‏@Cerullean)

Now his youthful shyness had begun to dissipate as a result of literary success and sexual experience. (The Love-charm of Bombs, Lara Feigel)

Consider! Consider what a great girl you are. Consider what a long way you've come to-day. Consider what o'clock it is. Consider anything, only don't cry! (Alice Through the Looking-Glass)

In Germany, the state is the essential framework for society. Society is possible only because of the rules imposed by the state. In Britain it is the other way round. Society is the framework for the state. The state functions through conventions, understandings, gentlemen's agreements; social habits are the basis of law and not vice versa. On the escalators in the London underground, people stand on the right, leaving the left side free for those who want to walk up. No law tells them to do so; only habit and courtesy. But if law seems contrary to common sense they may decide to ignore it - as they did over Sunday shopping. (Mitsuko Uchida: Chalk and Cheese)

It is not man's subconscious, but his conscious mind that is subject to his direct control - and to moral judgment. (Ayn Rand)

It was incredibly important. It defined the rest of my life. Because I loved that bird. It was the first time I’d learned to love something… The friends had started to dissipate by then because of the obsessional interests. (Chris Packham on kidnapping a baby kestrel, aged 14)

Without a husband, even an actress doesn't get invited out much. (Coral Browne)

"What would you feel like at a time like this if you had no beau?" asked Nora abruptly and sullenly. "Or any likelihood of one… I'm tired of smiling and being agreeable to every one and pretending not to care when they give me digs about not being married. I want to get married. I want to have a home of my own and be 'Mrs.' She's getting a nice husband and a lovely home. It isn't fair she should have everything and I nothing. I want to be a bride . . . and have a trousseau . . . and monogrammed linen . . . and lovely presents.” (Anne of Windy Poplars, Lucy Maud Montgomery)

“This is a degenerate age, Miss Shirley." "Homer said the same thing eight hundred years, B.C.," smiled Anne. (LM Montgomery, Anne of Windy Poplars)

More here, and links to the rest.