quotes of day Thursday, October 15, 2026

“The theory must not contradict empirical facts.”

“Wink at small faults; remember thou hast great ones.”

“No matter how we may single out a complex from nature...its theoretical treatment will never prove to be ultimately conclusive... I believe that this process of deepening of theory has no limits.”

“The ridiculous is produced by any defect that is unattended by pain, or fatal consequences; thus, an ugly and deformed countenance does not fail to cause laughter, if it is not occasioned by pain.”

“That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams of its people, the insistence on small miracles. That we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. That we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe or hearing a sudden knock on the door. That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted.”

“I'm not the strapping young Muslim socialist that I used to be.”

“It is the US government's desire for the Iraqi people to lead themselves, not for any outside power to be the leadership for Iraq in the future. There may be some transition period where the international community would have to help the Iraqi people put in place a representative government. But that is the goal, not for the United States, or any other nation, for that matter, who might be in such a coalition, if one is formed, to serve as the leader of the Iraqi nation.”

“Constant effort and frequent mistakes are the stepping stones to genius.”

“Independence? That's middle class blasphemy. We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth.”

“A veteran journalist has never had time to think twice before he writes.”

“Objects of charity are not guests.”

“In the end, people are persuaded not by what we say, but by what they understand.”

“With a book he was regardless of time.”

“Leadership deals with people and their dynamics, which are continually changing. The challenge of leadership is to create change and facilitate growth.”

“He who in reasoning cites authority is making use of his memory rather than of his intellect.”