Samuel Butler

We are not won by arguments that we can analyze, but by tone and temper; by the manner, which is the man himself.

There is nothing which at once affects a man so much and so little as his own death.

Union may be strength, but it is mere blind brute strength unless wisely directed.

An idea must not be condemned for being a little shy and incoherent; all new ideas are shy when introduced first among our old ones. We should have patience and see whether the incoherency is likely to wear off or to wear on, in which latter case the sooner we get rid of them the better.

The public do not know enough to be experts, but know enough to decide between them.

If there is any moral in Christianity, if there is anything to be learned from it, if the whole story is not profitless from first to last, it comes to this: that a man should back his own opinion against the world s.

I believe a man is better anchored who has a belief in the Supreme Being.

Zazen is an activity that is an extension of the universe. Zazen is not the life of an individual, it’s the universe that’s breathing.

The law of God, as quite plainly expressed in woman’s construction, is this: There shall be no limit put upon your intercourse with the other sex sexually, at any time of life. During twenty-three days in every month (in the absence of pregnancy) from the time a woman is seven years old till she dies of old age, she is ready for action, and competent. As competent as the candlestick is to receive the candle. Competent every day, competent every night. Also, she wants that candle – yearns for it, longs for it, hankers after it, as commanded by the law of God in her heart.

Christianity is the highest perfection of humanity.

We all die unhealed

If God lived on earth, people would break his windows.

God almighty first planted a garden: and, indeed, it is the purest of human pleasure.

Only a spiritual being has awareness.

What is a soul? It’s like electricity – we don’t really know what it is, but it’s a force that can light a room.

Priests are not men of the world; it is not intended that they should be; and a University training is the one best adapted to prevent their becoming so.

To follow the path, look to the master, follow the master, walk with the master, see through the master, become the master.

An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.

The whole secret of existence is to have no fear.

Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.

Believe in something larger than yourself…get involved in the big ideas of your time.