CONFUCIUS 551-479 BC

Chinese teacher, politician and philosopher

-o0o-

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

MADELEINE L'ENGLE 1918-2007

American writer best known for young-adult fiction

-o0o-

It's the ability to choose which makes us human.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

LEO TOLSTOY 1828-1910

Russian writer, moral thinker and social reformer

-o0o-

The strongest of all warriors are these two - Time and Patience.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

JOHN KEATS 1795-1821

English romantic poet

-o0o-

The only means of strengthening one's intellect is to make up one's mind about nothing - to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

HARRIET BRAIKER d.2004

American psychologist, expert on stress management and author of self-help books

-o0o-

Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection demoralises you.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Arabian Proverb

Four things come not back: the spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life and the neglected opportunity.

-o0o-

THE SATURDAY POEM

Fire And Ice
Robert Frost 1874-1963

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

MICHELANGELO 1475-1564

Italian sculptor, painter, architect, poet and engineer

-o0o-

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

J.B. PRIESTLEY 1894-1984

British novelist, playwright and broadcaster

-o0o-

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

JOHN BERRY 1635-89

English naval officer of the Royal Navy

-o0o-

The bird of paradise alights only upon the hand that does not  grasp.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

CHRISTINE FEEHAN

American romance-paranormal writer

-o0o-

Life gives us choices. You either grab on with both hands and just go for it, or you sit on the sidelines.
 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

SAMUEL JOHNSON 1709-84

English poet, essayist and moralist

-o0o-

Nothing will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must first be overcome.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

T.S. ELIOT 1888-1965

American-born British poet

-o0o-

To do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing : that is enough for one man's life.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Chinese Proverb

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.

-o0o-

THE SATURDAY POEM

The Elixer

Emma Lazarus 1849-87

“Oh brew me a potion strong and good!
    One golden drop in his wine
Shall charm his sense and fire his blood,
    And  bend his will to  mine.”

Poor child of passion! ask of me
    Elixir of death or sleep,
Or Lethe’s stream; but love is free,
    And woman must wait and weep.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o- 

MATT GROVES b1988

English professional footballer

-o0o-

Winners lose much more often than losers. So, if you keep losing but you're still trying, keep it up! You're on the right track.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

LUCILLE BALL 1911-89

American comedienne, film and TV actress, and studio executive

-o0o-

One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

H.L. MENCKEN 1880-1956

American journalist, essayist and satirist

-o0o-

Conscience is the inner voice which warns us that someone might be watching

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

LUDWIG ERHARD 1897-1977

German politician, Chancellor of West Germany 1963-66

-o0o-

A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes that he has the biggest piece.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

J.K. ROWLING b1965

British novelist, author of the Harry Potter series

-o0o-

The best of us must sometimes eat our words

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

STEPHEN HAWKING b1942

English theoretical physicist and cosmologist

-o0o-

Intelligence is the ability to adapt and change

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Chinese Proverb

The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones

-o0o-

NEW - now online - NEW

 OH WHAT A PICTURE

my choice of public domain images from the internet

http://ohwhatapicture.blogspot.com

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE 1811-96

American abolitionist and author

-o0o-

Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

CHARLES F. KETTERING 1876-1958

American inventor, engineer and businessman

-o0o-

You can't have a better tomorrow if you're thinking about yesterday all the time.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON 1850-94

Scottish novelist, poet and essayist

-o0o-

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

BEN STEIN b.1944

American actor, writer, lawyer and commentator on political matters.

-o0o-

The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this; decide what you want.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

PRINCESS DIANA 1961-97

-o0o-

Family is the most important thing in the world

-o0o-

HENRY FORD 1863-1947

American industrialist, founder of Ford Motors

-o0o-

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the road.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANON

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.

-o0o-

THE SATURDAY POEM

A Kiss

Henry Austin Dobson 1840-1921
 

Rose kissed me today,

Will she kiss me tomorrow?

Let it be as it may,

Rose kissed me today,
But the pleasure gives way
To a savour of sorrow; -
Rose kissed me today,
Will she kiss me tomorrow?

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

DALE CARNEGIE 1888-1955

The only way to get the best of  an argument is to avoid it.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

MOTHER TERESA 1910-97

Roman Catholic religious Sister who founded the Missionaries of Charity

-o0o-

Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT 1884-1962

First Lady of the USA from 1933 to 1945

-o0o-

Anger is one letter short of danger.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

FRANCIS BACON 1561-1626

English philosopher, statesman, scientist and author

-o0o-

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humour to console him for what he is.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON 1830-94

Scottish novelist and poet

-o0o-

Compromise is the best and cheapest lawyer.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

FAY WELDON b1931

English author, essayist and playwright

-o0o-

Beauty is the first present nature gives to a woman and the first it takes away.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANON

An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair just about anything.

-o0o-

THE SATURDAY POEM

Waste
Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy “Woodbine Willie” 1883-1929    

Waste of Muscle, waste of Brain,
    Waste of Patience, waste of Pain,
    Waste of Manhood, waste of Health,
    Waste of Beauty, waste of Wealth,

    Waste of Blood, and waste of Tears,
    Waste of Youth’s most precious years,
    Waste of ways the Saints have trod,
    Waste of Glory, waste of God,–
    War!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

CHUCK NORRIS b1940

American martial artist and actor

-o0o-

Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

MAYA ANGELOU b1928

American author and poet

-o0o-

The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ALBERT SCHWEITZER 1875-1965

German-born theologian, musician, philosopher and medical missionary

-o0o-

The willow which bends to the tempest, often escapes better than the oak which resists it; and so in great calamities, it sometimes happens that light and frivolous spirits recover their elasticity and presence of mind sooner than those of a loftier character.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES 1809-94

American physician, poet, author and lecturer

-o0o-

 

Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

MARY ANN EVANS (George Eliot) 1819-80

English novelist and poet

 

-o0o-

 

I'm proof against that word failure. I've seen behind it. The only failure a man ought to fear is failure of cleaving to the purpose he sees to be best.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

BERTRAND RUSSELL 1872-1970

British philosopher, mathematician and historian

-o0o-

The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANON

Think big, believe big, act big, and the results will be big.

-o0o-

THE SATURDAY POEM

The Moon
Anon

Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon:
This way, and that, she peers and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
One by one the casements catch
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
Couched in his kennel, like a log,
With paws of silver sleeps the dog
From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep
Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep;
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,
With silver claws and silver eye;
And moveless fish in the water gleam
By silver reeds in a silver stream.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN 1706-90

One of the Founding Fathers of the United States

-o0o-

Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

MARLENE DIETRICH 1901-92

German actress and singer

-o0o-

Careful grooming may take twenty years off a woman’s age, but you can’t fool a flight of stairs 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

VICTOR HUGO 1802-85

French poet, novelist and dramatist

-o0o-

The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves. 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

SAMUEL BECKETT 1906-89

Irish author and playwright

 

-o0o-

 

Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail better.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

LOIS McMASTER BUJOLD b.1949

American author of science fiction and fantasy books.

-o0o-

If you can’t do what you want, do what you can.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

beginning today

AMERICAN ART OF THE 19TH CENTURY

http://americanartofthe19thcent.blogspot.com

URSULA K. LeGUIN b.1929

American author of novels and children’s books

-o0o-

It is good to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the end.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANON

There is a choice you have to make in everything you do, and you must always keep in mind, that the choice you make, makes you.

-o0o-

THE SATURDAY POEM

Somebody
Alfred, Lord Tennyson 1809-92

Somebody being a nobody,
Thinking to look like a somebody,
Said that he thought me a nobody;
Good little somebody-nobody,
Had you not known me a somebody,
Would you have called me nobody?

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

SOCRATES 469 BC–399 BC

Classical Athenian philosopher

 

-o0o-

 

Let him that would move the world first move himself.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

JOHN WESLEY 1703-91

Anglican cleric who with his brother Charles founded the Methodist movement.

-o0o-

Beware you be not swallowed up in books. An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

EMILY BRONTE 1818-48

English novelist and poet

-o0o-

I've dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they've gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the colour of my mind.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

EDWARD WHYMPER 1840-1911

English wood engraver and mountaineer.

-o0o-

 

Do nothing in haste, look well to each step 

and from the beginning think what might be the end.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ISAAC NEWTON 1642-1727

English physicist and mathematician

-o0o-

Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

BLOG NEWS

The GALLERY OF COUNTRY GIRLS blog, which came to an end last week, is being replaced by AMERICAN ART OF THE 19TH CENTURY; the first post will be on Monday 1st July.

http://americanartofthe19thcent.blogspot.com

DOROTHY PARKER 1893-1967

American poet, short story writer and satirist

-o0o-

That would be a good thing for them to cut on my tombstone: 

Wherever she went, including here, it was against her better judgment.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ROBERT ORBEN b.1927

American comedy writer

-o0o-

Don’t smoke too much, drink too much, eat to much or work too much. We’re all on the road to the grave, but there’s no need to be in the fast lane.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

THE SATURDAY POEM

The Rose Family 

 Robert Frost 1874-1963

The rose is a rose,
And was always a rose.
But now the theory goes
That the apple's a rose,
And the pear is, and so's
The plum, I suppose.
The dear only knows
What will next prove a rose.
You, of course, are a rose
But were always a rose.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

JANE AUSTEN 1775-1817

English novelist

-o0o-

Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear that I am wrong? 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

MARY STUART

To be kind to all, to like many and love a few, to be needed and wanted by those we love, is certainly the nearest we can come to happiness.

-o0o-

The new blog AS LONG AS IT RHYMES has been updated today
http://aslongasitrhymes.blogspot.com

ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1809-65

16th President of the United States

-o0o-

Those who look for the bad in people 

will surely find it.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

THOMAS EDISON 1847-1931

American inventor and businessman

-o0o-

 

Many of life's failures are people who
did not realize how close they were
to success when they gave up.

 

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

LAURA INGALLS WILDER 1867-1957

American author, famous for her Little House novels.

The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful, to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures, and have courage when things go wrong.

The new blog AS LONG AS IT RHYMES has been updated today

http://aslongasitrhymes.blogspot.com

J.M. BARRIE 1860-1937

Scottish author and  dramatist, creator of Peter Pan

-o0o-

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others 

cannot keep it from themselves.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

MICHEL LEGRAND b.1932

French composer, arranger and conductor

-o0o-

The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

THE SATURDAY POEM

Inventory

Dorothy Parker 1893-1967

 Four be the things I am wiser to know:
Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.
Four be the things I'd been better without:
Love, curiosity, freckles, and doubt.

Three be the things I shall never attain:
Envy, content, and sufficient champagne.
Three be the things I shall have till I die:
Laughter and hope and a sock in the eye.

 -o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

JOSEPH BRODSKY 1940-96

Russian poet and essayist

-o0o-

 

There are worse crimes than burning books. 

One of them is not reading them.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

GOLDIE HAWN b1935

American actress, film director and producer

I have witnessed the softening of the hardest of hearts by a simple smile.

-o0o-

The new blog AS LONG AS IT RHYMES is updated today

http://aslongasitrhymes.blogspot.com

APOLOGIES

Due to a computer fault, I was unable to update my blogs for the last two days.

The problem has been solved and posting will begin again tomorrow Thursday.

-o0o-

C.S. LEWIS 1898-1963

Novelist, poet, essayist and lay theologian

-o0o-

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

The new blog - AS LONG AS IT RHYMES -  is now online

http://aslongasitrhymes.blogspot.com

AUDREY HEPBURN 1929-93

British actress and humanitarian

-o0o-

I heard a definition once: Happiness is health and a short memory! 

I wish I'd invented it, because it is very true

Beginning tomorrow

AS LONG AS IT RHYMES
http://aslongasitrhymes.blogspot.com

H.L. MENCKEN 1880-1956

American journalist, magazine editor and satirist

-o0o-

Moderation in all things. Not too much of life. 

It often lasts too long.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

 

THE SATURDAY POEM

TO CELIA
Ben Jonson (1572-1637)

Drink to me only with thine eyes
And I will pledge with mine.
Or leave a kiss but in the cup
And I'll not ask for wine.

The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove's nectar sup,
I would not change for thine.

A  new poetry blog - AS LONG AS IT RHYMES - begins on Monday.

 http://aslongasitrhymes.blogspot.com

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANON

Bad habits are like a comfortable bed - easy to get into, 

but hard to get out of.

-o0o-

NEW - beginning Monday 10th June - NEW

AS LONG AS IT RHYMES . . .

If you think poetry should rhyme, this blog is for you!

http://aslongasitrhymes.blogspot.com

Baroness DUDEVANT (GEORGE SAND) 1804-76

French novelist

-o0o-

I love everything that makes up a milieu, the rolling of the carriages and the noise of the workmen in Paris, the cries of a thousand birds in the country, the movement of the ships on the waters. I love also absolute, profound silence, and, in short, I love everything that is around me, no matter where I am.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ALBERT EINSTEIN 1879-1955

German-born theoretical physicist who developed the Theory of Relativity

-o0o-

 

If A is success in life, then A = (x + y + z) where x is work, y is play and z is keeping your mouth shut.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM 1874-1965

British playwright, novelist and short story writer.

-o0o-

 

If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get anything but the best.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ANNE FRANK 1929-45

A Jewish victim of the Holocaust. Her diary written from 1942 onwards has become world famous

-o0o-

We all live with the objective of being happy; 

our lives are all different and yet the same.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

GAUTAMA BUDDHA c563-c483 BC

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

JOHN STUART MILL 1806-73

British philosopher and political economist

-o0o-

I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting to satisfy them.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

THE SATURDAY POEM

Passing By
Thomas Ford 1580-1648

There is a lady sweet and kind,
Was never face so pleas'd my mind;
I did but see her passing by,
And yet I love her till I die.

Her gesture, motion, and her smiles,
Her wit, her voice, my heart beguiles,
Beguiles my heart, I know not why,
And yet I love her till I die.

Cupid is wingèd and doth range,
Her country so my love doth change:
But change she earth, or change she sky,
Yet will I love her till I die.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE 1811-96

American abolitionist, author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin"

-o0o-

Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

                                                          



                                        

HENRY DAVID THOREAU 1817-62

American author, poet and philosopher

-o0o-

 

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost - that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ELISABETH KUBLER-ROSS 1926-2004

Swiss American psychiatrist

-o0o-

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

J.K. ROWLING b.1965

British novelist, author of the Harry Potter books

-o0o-

It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

HENRY STIMSON 1867-1950

American statesman and lawyer

-o0o-

The only way to make a man trustworthy is to trust him.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE 1880-1918

French poet, playwright and writer

-o0o-

Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

RONALD REAGAN 1911-2004

40th President of the USA 1981-89

-o0o-

We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

CONFUCIUS 551-479 BC

Chinese teacher, politician and philosopher

-o0o-

 

With only plain rice to eat, with only water to drink and with only an arm for a pillow, I am still content.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

ELEANOR HIBBERT 1906-93

British author who wrote under many pseudonyms - Jean Plaidy, Victoria Holt, Philippa Carr, Eleanor Burford, Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow, Anne Percival and Ellalice Tate

 -o0o-

 

Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW 1856-1950

Anglo-Irish dramatist and socialist

-o0o-

Beauty is all very well at first sight; but who ever looks at it when it has been in the house three days?

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

HELEN KELLER 1880--1968

American deafblind author, political activist and lecturer

-o0o-

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-