A flame to warm the heart

A woodland in full color is awesome as a forest fire, in magnitude at least, but a single tree is like a dancing tongue of flame to warm the heart.

Hal Borland

Autumn

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

Albert Camus

Reformation

To reform a world, to reform a nation, no wise man will undertake; and all but foolish men know, that the only solid, though a far slower reformation, is what each begins and perfects on himself.

Thomas Carlyle

Solitude is strength

Solitude is strength; to depend on the presence of the crowd is weakness. The man who needs a mob to nerve him is much more alone than he imagines.

Paul Brunton

He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.

Immanuel Kant

What is it that affects you most?

Finding fame or your true nature, which appeals to you? Nature or materialism: which means more? In life's ups and downs, what is it that affects you most?
Telescopic ambition is unhealthy. Unbridled accumulation leads to unimaginable loss.
Equanimity knows no ruin. Equilibrium needs no safety-net.
Understanding these things, leads to peace and plenty.

From the Tao Teh Ching by Lao Tzu translated by Louise Milne

The facilitating power of stillness

The gentlest and softest can overpower granite. Spirit permeates even the impregnable.
Knowing this, we can see the wisdom in holding our peace, in remaining quietly unprovoked.
Only very few realise the facilitating power of stillness: the silent promise of peaceful resolve, fairness and equanimity.

From the Tao Teh Ching by Lao Tzu translated by Louise Milne