Fav Quote From A Book

[canadiangirl]

What's your favorite quote from a book?

One that comes to mind for me right now is:

"It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit, and the emperor remains an emperor." Neil Gaiman, Sandman

:-P

[game4shame]

a paragraph from the private detective in private dancer:

It is not true to say that Thai girls prefer older men. Men with little or no hair. Men with beer

guts. Thai girls like girls the world over prefer young, fit good-looking men. This is where the

average sex tourist says, ‘yes, but I make them laugh. They like me. I’m different.’ Sadly,

they’re not. I’ve never yet met a sex tourist who I’ve found the least bit entertaining or

interesting. Generally they’re working class in a dead-end job from a minor provincial city. If

they’re British they’re wearing sandals and socks and have probably got a shaved head and a

couple of tattoos. If they’re Americans they’re from some mid-West town you’ve never heard of

wearing a Harley t-shirt stretched over a massive beer gut and a goatee beard disguising a weak

chin. These are not attractive people in the main, but even the good-looking ones fall down in

the IQ department. You do not find New York bankers or London company directors hanging

around the bars of Nana Plaza and Pat Pong. Sex tourists in the main are taxi drivers, butchers,

plasterers, plumbers, low-grade office workers. Men who would find it difficult to get a halfdecent

girl back in their home towns.

You think that just because you’ve sat in the economy section of a long-haul flight for a day

that you’ve suddenly become a fascinating person? Think again. Bargirls are not hanging on

your every word because you are the life and soul of the party, but because she is a sex worker

and you are a sex tourist and you are getting what you are paying for. Nothing more, nothing

less.

[wileycoyote]

"I became aware of the old island here that flowered once for Dutch sailors’ eyes — a fresh, green breast of the new world. Its vanished trees, the trees that had made way for Gatsby’s house, had once pandered in whispers to the last and greatest of all human dreams; for a transitory enchanted moment man must have held his breath in the presence of this continent, compelled into an aesthetic contemplation he neither understood nor desired, face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder."

The Great Gatsby F.Scott Fitzgerald

Wiley Coyote

[canadiangirl]

"I became aware of the old island here that flowered once for Dutch sailors’ eyes — a fresh, green breast of the new world. Its vanished trees, the trees that had made way for Gatsby’s house, had once pandered in whispers to the last and greatest of all human dreams; for a transitory enchanted moment man must have held his breath in the presence of this continent, compelled into an aesthetic contemplation he neither understood nor desired, face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder."

The Great Gatsby F.Scott Fitzgerald

Wiley Coyote

Oh, I love the great Gatsby!

""Her [Daisy] voice is full of money," he [Gatsby] said suddenly.

That was it. I’d never understood before. It was full of money—that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals’ song of it...high in a white palace the king’s daughter, the golden girl."

[Ajarn_Jonesy]

"Death is Lighter than a feather Duty is Heavier than a mountain"!!

[Gimbo]

I just cant cut it up in small pieces...so forgive me:

Haavamal, 9th century, Origin Norway/ Iceland.

Wisdom for Wanderers and Counsel to Guests

1.

At every door-way,

ere one enters,

one should spy round,

one should pry round

for uncertain is the witting

that there be no foeman sitting,

within, before one on the floor

2.

Hail, ye Givers! a guest is come;

say! where shall he sit within?

Much pressed is he who fain on the hearth

would seek for warmth and weal.

3.

He hath need of fire, who now is come,

numbed with cold to the knee;

food and clothing the wanderer craves

who has fared o'er the rimy fell.

4.

He craves for water, who comes for refreshment,

drying and friendly bidding,

marks of good will, fair fame if 'tis won,

and welcome once and again.

5.

He hath need of his wits who wanders wide,

aught simple will serve at home;

but a gazing-stock is the fool who sits

mid the wise, and nothing knows.

6.

Let no man glory in the greatness of his mind,

but rather keep watch o'er his wits.

Cautious and silent let him enter a dwelling;

to the heedful comes seldom harm,

for none can find a more faithful friend

than the wealth of mother wit.

7.

Let the wary stranger who seeks refreshment

keep silent with sharpened hearing;

with his ears let him listen, and look with his eyes;

thus each wise man spies out the way.

8.

Happy is he who wins for himself

fair fame and kindly words;

but uneasy is that which a man doth own

while it lies in another's breast.

9.

Happy is he who hath in himself

praise and wisdom in life;

for oft doth a man ill counsel get

when 'tis born in another's breast.

10.

A better burden can no man bear

on the way than his mother wit;

'tis the refuge of the poor, and richer it seems

than wealth in a world untried.

11.

A better burden can no man bear

on the way than his mother wit:

and no worse provision can he carry with him

than too deep a draught of ale.

12.

Less good than they say for the sons of men

is the drinking oft of ale:

for the more they drink, the less can they think

and keep a watch o'er their wits.

13.

A bird of Unmindfulness flutters o'er ale feasts,

wiling away men's wits:

with the feathers of that fowl I was fettered once

in the garths of Gunnlos below.

14.

Drunk was I then, I was over drunk

in that crafty Jötun's court.

But best is an ale feast when man is able

to call back his wits at once.

15.

Silent and thoughtful and bold in strife

the prince's bairn should be.

Joyous and generous let each man show him

until he shall suffer death.

16.

A coward believes he will ever live

if he keep him safe from strife:

but old age leaves him not long in peace

though spears may spare his life.

17.

A fool will gape when he goes to a friend,

and mumble only, or mope;

but pass him the ale cup and all in a moment

the mind of that man is shown.

18.

He knows alone who has wandered wide,

and far has fared on the way,

what manner of mind a man doth own

who is wise of head and heart.

19.

Keep not the mead cup but drink thy measure;

speak needful words or none:

none shall upbraid thee for lack of breeding

if soon thou seek'st thy rest.

20.

A greedy man, if he be not mindful,

eats to his own life's hurt:

oft the belly of the fool will bring him to scorn

when he seeks the circle of the wise.

21.

Herds know the hour of their going home

and turn them again from the grass;

but never is found a foolish man

who knows the measure of his maw.

22.

The miserable man and evil minded

makes of all things mockery,

and knows not that which he best should know,

that he is not free from faults.

23.

The unwise man is awake all night,

and ponders everything over;

when morning comes he is weary in mind,

and all is a burden as ever.

24.

The unwise man weens all who smile

and flatter him are his friends,

nor notes how oft they speak him ill

when he sits in the circle of the wise.

25.

The unwise man weens all who smile

and flatter him are his friends;

but when he shall come into court he shall find

there are few to defend his cause.

26.

The unwise man thinks all to know,

while he sits in a sheltered nook;

but he knows not one thing, what he shall answer,

if men shall put him to proof.

27.

For the unwise man 'tis best to be mute

when he come amid the crowd,

for none is aware of his lack of wit

if he wastes not too many words;

for he who lacks wit shall never learn

though his words flow ne'er so fast.

28.

Wise he is deemed who can question well,

and also answer back:

the sons of men can no secret make

of the tidings told in their midst.

29.

Too many unstable words are spoken

by him who ne'er holds his peace;

the hasty tongue sings its own mishap

if it be not bridled in.

30.

Let no man be held as a laughing-stock,

though he come as guest for a meal:

wise enough seem many while they sit dry-skinned

and are not put to proof.

31.

A guest thinks him witty who mocks at a guest

and runs from his wrath away;

but none can be sure who jests at a meal

that he makes not fun among foes.

32.

Oft, though their hearts lean towards one another,

friends are divided at table;

ever the source of strife 'twill be,

that guest will anger guest.

33.

A man should take always his meals betimes

unless he visit a friend,

or he sits and mopes, and half famished seems,

and can ask or answer nought.

34.

Long is the round to a false friend leading,

e'en if he dwell on the way:

but though far off fared, to a faithful friend

straight are the roads and short.

35.

A guest must depart again on his way,

nor stay in the same place ever;

if he bide too long on another's bench

the loved one soon becomes loathed.

36.

One's own house is best, though small it may be;

each man is master at home;

though he have but two goats and a bark-thatched hut

'tis better than craving a boon.

37.

One's own house is best, though small it may be,

each man is master at home;

with a bleeding heart will he beg, who must,

his meat at every meal.

38.

Let a man never stir on his road a step

without his weapons of war;

for unsure is the knowing when need shall arise

of a spear on the way without.

39.

I found none so noble or free with his food,

who was not gladdened with a gift,

nor one who gave of his gifts such store

but he loved reward, could he win it.

40.

Let no man stint him and suffer need

of the wealth he has won in life;

oft is saved for a foe what was meant for a friend,

and much goes worse than one weens.

41.

With raiment and arms shall friends gladden each other,

so has one proved oneself;

for friends last longest, if fate be fair

who give and give again.

42.

To his friend a man should bear him as friend,

and gift for gift bestow,

laughter for laughter let him exchange,

but leasing pay for a lie.

43.

To his friend a man should bear him as friend,

to him and a friend of his;

but let him beware that he be not the friend

of one who is friend to his foe.

44.

Hast thou a friend whom thou trustest well,

from whom thou cravest good?

Share thy mind with him, gifts exchange with him,

fare to find him oft.

45.

But hast thou one whom thou trustest ill

yet from whom thou cravest good?

Thou shalt speak him fair, but falsely think,

and leasing pay for a lie.

46.

Yet further of him whom thou trusted ill,

and whose mind thou dost misdoubt;

thou shalt laugh with him but withhold thy thought,

for gift with like gift should be paid.

47.

Young was I once, I walked alone,

and bewildered seemed in the way;

then I found me another and rich I thought me,

for man is the joy of man.

48.

Most blest is he who lives free and bold

and nurses never a grief,

for the fearful man is dismayed by aught,

and the mean one mourns over giving.

49.

My garments once I gave in the field

to two land-marks made as men;

heroes they seemed when once they were clothed;

'tis the naked who suffer shame!

50.

The pine tree wastes which is perched on the hill,

nor bark nor needles shelter it;

such is the man whom none doth love;

for what should he longer live?

51.

Fiercer than fire among ill friends

for five days love will burn;

bun anon 'tis quenched, when the sixth day comes,

and all friendship soon is spoiled.

52.

Not great things alone must one give to another,

praise oft is earned for nought;

with half a loaf and a tilted bowl

I have found me many a friend.

53.

Little the sand if little the seas,

little are minds of men,

for ne'er in the world were all equally wise,

'tis shared by the fools and the sage.

54.

Wise in measure let each man be;

but let him not wax too wise;

for never the happiest of men is he

who knows much of many things.

55.

Wise in measure should each man be;

but let him not wax too wise;

seldom a heart will sing with joy

if the owner be all too wise.

56.

Wise in measure should each man be,

but ne'er let him wax too wise:

who looks not forward to learn his fate

unburdened heart will bear.

57.

Brand kindles from brand until it be burned,

spark is kindled from spark,

man unfolds him by speech with man,

but grows over secret through silence.

58.

He must rise betimes who fain of another

or life or wealth would win;

scarce falls the prey to sleeping wolves,

or to slumberers victory in strife.

59.

He must rise betimes who hath few to serve him,

and see to his work himself;

who sleeps at morning is hindered much,

to the keen is wealth half-won.

60.

Of dry logs saved and roof-bark stored

a man can know the measure,

of fire-wood too which should last him out

quarter and half years to come.

61.

Fed and washed should one ride to court

though in garments none too new;

thou shalt not shame thee for shoes or breeks,

nor yet for a sorry steed.

62.

Like an eagle swooping over old ocean,

snatching after his prey,

so comes a man into court who finds

there are few to defend his cause.

63.

Each man who is wise and would wise be called

must ask and answer aright.

Let one know thy secret, but never a second, --

if three a thousand shall know.

64.

A wise counselled man will be mild in bearing

and use his might in measure,

lest when he come his fierce foes among

he find others fiercer than he.

65.

Each man should be watchful and wary in speech,

and slow to put faith in a friend.

for the words which one to another speaks

he may win reward of ill.

66.

At many a feast I was far too late,

and much too soon at some;

drunk was the ale or yet unserved:

never hits he the joint who is hated.

67.

Here and there to a home I had haply been asked

had I needed no meat at my meals,

or were two hams left hanging in the house of that friend

where I had partaken of one.

68.

Most dear is fire to the sons of men,

most sweet the sight of the sun;

good is health if one can but keep it,

and to live a life without shame.

69.

Not reft of all is he who is ill,

for some are blest in their bairns,

some in their kin and some in their wealth,

and some in working well.

70.

More blest are the living than the lifeless,

'tis the living who come by the cow;

I saw the hearth-fire burn in the rich man's hall

and himself lying dead at the door.

71.

The lame can ride horse, the handless drive cattle,

the deaf one can fight and prevail,

'tis happier for the blind than for him on the bale-fire,

but no man hath care for a corpse.

72.

Best have a son though he be late born

and before him the father be dead:

seldom are stones on the wayside raised

save by kinsmen to kinsmen.

73.

Two are hosts against one, the tongue is the head's bane,

'neath a rough hide a hand may be hid;

he is glad at nightfall who knows of his lodging,

short is the ship's berth,

and changeful the autumn night,

much veers the wind ere the fifth day

and blows round yet more in a month.

74.

He that learns nought will never know

how one is the fool of another,

for if one be rich another is poor

and for that should bear no blame.

75.

Cattle die and kinsmen die,

thyself too soon must die,

but one thing never, I ween, will die, --

fair fame of one who has earned.

76.

Cattle die and kinsmen die,

thyself too soon must die,

but one thing never, I ween, will die, --

the doom on each one dead.

77.

Full-stocked folds had the Fatling's sons,

who bear now a beggar's staff:

brief is wealth, as the winking of an eye,

most faithless ever of friends.

78.

If haply a fool should find for himself

wealth or a woman's love,

pride waxes in him but wisdom never

and onward he fares in his folly.

79.

All will prove true that thou askest of runes --

those that are come from the gods,

which the high Powers wrought, and which Odin painted:

then silence is surely best.

Maxims for All Men

80.

Praise day at even, a wife when dead,

a weapon when tried, a maid when married,

ice when 'tis crossed, and ale when 'tis drunk.

81.

Hew wood in wind, sail the seas in a breeze,

woo a maid in the dark, -- for day's eyes are many, --

work a ship for its gliding, a shield for its shelter,

a sword for its striking, a maid for her kiss;

82.

Drink ale by the fire, but slide on the ice;

buy a steed when 'tis lanky, a sword when 'tis rusty;

feed thy horse neath a roof, and thy hound in the yard.

83.

The speech of a maiden should no man trust

nor the words which a woman says;

for their hearts were shaped on a whirling wheel

and falsehood fixed in their breasts.

84.

Breaking bow, or flaring flame,

ravening wolf, or croaking raven,

routing swine, or rootless tree,

waxing wave, or seething cauldron,

85.

flying arrows, or falling billow,

ice of a nighttime, coiling adder,

woman's bed-talk, or broken blade,

play of bears or a prince's child,

86.

sickly calf or self-willed thrall,

witch's flattery, new-slain foe,

brother's slayer, though seen on the highway,

half burned house, or horse too swift --

be never so trustful as these to trust.

87.

Let none put faith in the first sown fruit

nor yet in his son too soon;

whim rules the child, and weather the field,

each is open to chance.

88.

Like the love of women whose thoughts are lies

is the driving un-roughshod o'er slippery ice

of a two year old, ill-tamed and gay;

or in a wild wind steering a helmless ship,

or the lame catching reindeer in the rime-thawed fell.

Lessons for Lovers

89.

Now plainly I speak, since both I have seen;

unfaithful is man to maid;

we speak them fairest when thoughts are falsest

and wile the wisest of hearts.

90.

-- Let him speak soft words and offer wealth

who longs for a woman's love,

praise the shape of the shining maid --

he wins who thus doth woo.

91.

-- Never a whit should one blame another

whom love hath brought into bonds:

oft a witching form will fetch the wise

which holds not the heart of fools.

92.

Never a whit should one blame another

for a folly which many befalls;

the might of love makes sons of men

into fools who once were wise.

93.

The mind knows alone what is nearest the heart

and sees where the soul is turned:

no sickness seems to the wise so sore

as in nought to know content.

Odin's Love Quests

94.

This once I felt when I sat without

in the reeds, and looked for my love;

body and soul of me was that sweet maiden

yet never I won her as wife.

95.

Billing's daughter I found on her bed,

fairer than sunlight sleeping,

and the sweets of lordship seemed to me nought,

save I lived with that lovely form.

96.

"Yet nearer evening come thou, Odin,