Quotes about Perspective

Here is the true meaning and value of compassion and nonviolence, when it helps us to see the enemy's point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves. For from his view we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers who are called the opposition.

The real tragedy of such narrow provincialism is that we see people as entities or merely as things. Too seldom do we see people in their true humanness.

a man's life was sacred only if we agreed with his views.

You say that we go round the sun. If we went round the moon it would not make a pennyworth of difference to me or to my work.

The chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness.

The opinion of a clever man who has had no experience is really of less value than that of the man in the street who has actually been there.

To a great mind, nothing is little

Life is never beautiful, but only the pictures of life are so in the transfiguring mirror of art or poetry; especially in youth, when we do not yet know it. Many a youth would receive great peace of mind if one could assist him to this knowledge.

The happiness we receive from ourselves is greater than that which we obtain from our surroundings[1]

reading is equivalent to thinking with someone else's head instead of with ones own

Therefore, we do not become conscious of the three greatest blessings of life as such, namely health, youth, and freedom, as long as we possess them, but only after we have lost them; for they too are negations.

Whatever fate befalls you, do not give way to great rejoicings or great lamentation; partly because all things are full of change, and your fortune may turn at any moment; partly because men are so apt to be deceived in their judgment as to what is good or bad for them.