This is the bitterest pain among men, to have much knowledge but no power.

A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country.

Teach the ignorant as much as you can; society is culpable in not providing a free education for all and it must answer for the night which it produces. If the soul is left in darkness sins will be committed. The guilty one is not he who commits the sin, but he who causes the darkness.

The knowledge and skills you have achieved are meant to be forgotten so you can float comfortably in emptiness, without obstruction.

Cherish that which is within you, and shut off that which is without; for much knowledge is a curse.

It is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance.

If you feel pain, you're alive. If you feel other people's pain, you're a human being.

The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you're in control of your life. If you don't, life controls you.

We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.

There is no coming to consciousness without pain.

My pain may be the reason for somebody’s laugh. But my laugh must never be the reason for somebody’s pain.

The growth of the mind is the widening of the range of consciousness, and . . . each step forward has been a most painful and laborious achievement.

If you try to cure evil with evil you will add more pain to your fate.

Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.

I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.

Next to the assumption of power is the responsibility of relinquishing it.

The resources, advantages, and the powers of the American people are very great, and they have, consequently, succeed to equally great responsibilities.

There is only one time that is important—now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power.

Nowadays the world is becoming increasingly materialistic, and mankind is reaching toward the very zenith of external progress, driven by an insatiable desire for power and vast possessions. Yet by this vain striving for perfection in a world where everything is relative, they wander even further away from inward peace and happiness of the mind.

My way of joking is to tell the truth. It is the funniest joke in the world.

There is nothing happens to any person but what was in his power to go through with.

Never complain of that of which it is at all times in your power to rid yourself.

The desire of power in excess caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge in excess caused man to fall.