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Power

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“A snowball is simple, direct and familiar to most of us. I use this simplicity as a container for feelings and ideas that function on many levels. Occasionally I have come across a last patch of snow on top of a mountain in late May or June. There's something very powerful about finding snow in summer. It's as if the whole of winter has drained through that white hole — a concentration of winter.”
Andy Goldsworthy (born 1956) first seen 2001 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Conrad Bodman, curator at the Barbican Arts Centre (2001)
“When the Manufacturing Capitalist of Europe shall advert to the many important advantages, which have been intimated, in the Course of this report, he cannot but perceive very powerful inducements to a transfer of himself and his Capital to the United States.”
Alexander Hamilton (1757–1804) said by 1804 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The banks—hard to believe in a time when we're facing a banking crisis—that many of the banks created—are still the most powerful lobby on Capitol Hill. And they frankly own the place.”
Dick Durbin (born 1944) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview by Bill Moyers, Bill Moyers Journal, PBS, May 8, 2009.
“Hassim, Kane ruminated, was the very symbol of militant Islam—bold, reckless, materialistic, sparing nothing, fearing nothing, as sure of his own destiny and as contemptuous of the rights of others as the most powerful Western king.”
Robert E. Howard (1906–1936) said by 1936 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Every day a sharp tool, a powerful destroyer, is necessary to cut away dullness, lobotomy, buzzing, belief in human beings, stagnancy, images, and accumulation. As soon as we stop believing in human beings, rather know we are dogs and trees, we'll start to be happy.”
Kathy Acker (1947–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It may be observed, however, that organized associations of citizens requiring compliance with their wishes too much resemble the recommendations of Athens to her allies, supported by an armed and powerful fleet.”
William Henry Harrison (1773–1841) said by 1841 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“From a small community we have risen to a people powerful in numbers and in strength; but with our increase has gone hand in hand the progress of just principles.”
Martin Van Buren (1782–1862) said by 1862 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The technology and tactics of attack have now far surpassed the technology of defense despite the development of highly maneuverable and powerful anti-missiles with nuclear warheads and despite other technical ideas, such as the use of laser beams and so forth.”
Andrei Sakharov (1921–1989) said by 1989 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The S-F is a very powerful, very modern tool, [...]. p. 143”
Alexander Zinoviev (1922–2006) said by 2006 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“... the masters of the global supra-society continue Hitler's work, but using the much more powerful means of contemporary science and masking their aims under the label of democracy.”
Alexander Zinoviev (1922–2006) said by 2006 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“One gloomy and pessimistic writer with a powerful style affects a whole generation of writers, who in turn affect almost every educated person in the country.”
Colin Wilson (1931–2013) said by 2013 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Our forefathers wouldn’t recognize the political labyrinth our professional politicians have created. The very things our forefathers warned us not to do as it pertains to embracing a centralized, powerful federal government is the very cliff our professional politicians have steered the Goodship America straight off of.”
Ted Nugent (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Broken things are powerful." Things about to break are stronger still. The last shot from the brittle bow is truest.”
Eugene McCarthy (1916–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Peace is the wish of the French of Italy Spain Germany and all the world, and Great Britain alone the cause of preventing its accomplishment, and this not for any point of honour or even interest, but merely lest there should be an example in the modern world of a great powerful Republic.”
Charles James Fox (1749–1806) first seen 1795 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Lord Holland (7 August 1795), quoted in L. G. Mitchell, Charles James Fox (1997), pp. 161-162
“Though watching porn may seem degrading to some women, the fact is that it's one of the few jobs for women where you can get to a certain level, look around, and feel so powerful, not just in the work environment but as a sexual being. So, fuck Gloria Steinem.”
Jenna Jameson (born 1974) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I kind of realized how powerful Tupac and I was (you know what I'm saying?) because Pac is a strong dude, I know dude. (You know what I'm saying?) We two ind”
The Notorious B.I.G. (1972–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Liberal party is very much your northern Democrat, or mainstream Democratic party, a party that is less concessionary to the secessionists than the PCs, but still somewhat concessionary. And they still occupy the mainstream of public opinion in Ontario, which is the big and powerful province, politically and economically, alongside Quebec.”
Stephen Harper (born 1959) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I've got a powerful thirst for some of that lactation.”
Bill Allred first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Radio From Hell (January 13, 2006)
“As in elections, the law pretended universal rights, while securing the interests of powerful houses.”
David Brin (born 1950) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Oh, there’s no high quite like getting the focused attention of powerful enemies. Nothing is better guaranteed to make you feel important in the world, which may be why conspiracy theories are so popular among frustrated underachievers.”
David Brin (born 1950) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“These are the moments when the powerful mind or the forceful character feels the ferment of the times, when his thoughts quicken, and when he can inject into the uncertainties of others the creative ideas which will strengthen them with purpose. At such a moment the man who can direct others, in thought or in action, can remake the world.”
Jacob Bronowski (1908–1974) first seen 1951 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Common Sense of Science (1951), on the influence of Isaac Newton.
“There has never been a great book or a powerful work of art which has not been thought immoral by those with an older tradition.”
Jacob Bronowski (1908–1974) said by 1974 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I can't honestly say that I appreciate the way in which he changed baseball — from a game of science to an extension of his powerful slugging — but he was the most natural and unaffected man I ever knew. No one ever loved life more. No one ever inspired more youngsters. I have reverence for his marvelous ability . I look forward to meeting him again some day.”
Ty Cobb (1886–1961) said by 1961 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
Audre Lorde (1934–1992) first seen 1980 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Cancer Journals (1980)
“My anger has meant pain to me but it has also meant survival, and before I give it up I’m going to be sure that there is something at least as powerful to replace it on the road to clarity.”
Audre Lorde (1934–1992) said by 1992 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Growing up, metabolizing hatred like a daily bread. Because I am Black, because I am woman, because I am not Black enough, because I am not some particular fantasy of a woman, because I AM. On such a consistent diet, one can eventually come to value the hatred of one’s enemies more than one values the love of friends, for that hatred becomes the source of anger, and anger is a powerful fuel.”
Audre Lorde (1934–1992) said by 1992 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But here’s the rub: equality doesn’t necessarily mean being the same. It’s possible to be different but equal. Yes, the male may be more ornate or more powerful in many cases, but the female controls mating, choosing the male, and also, of course, it is the female who brings new life into the world. Which is better? No one can say. Equal, but different.”
Robert J. Sawyer (born 1960) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The thirst for powerful sensations takes the upper hand both over fear and over compassion for the grief of others.”
Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) first seen 1886 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: An Evil Night (1886)
“When an appeal to the instincts can be made so powerful as to secure acceptance in the medium of dissemination in spite of competitive interests, it can be aptly termed news. The public relations counsel, therefore, is a creator of news for whatever medium he chooses to transmit ideas. It is his duty to create news no matter what the medium which broadcasts this news.”
Edward Bernays (1891–1995) said by 1995 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. There's nobody as beautiful or as powerful as me!”
Billy Graham (wrestler) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There is a powerful expression of our yearning. But now that we have the revolutionary spirit, we must not lose sight of the brotherhood awareness. Temper the revolutionary spirit. Culture identification is needed, but we must not let it lead us to hatred. We can become intoxicated and lose sight of our real goal to fully participate in the political system of the United States.”
Reies Tijerina (1926–2015) said by 2015 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But yonder comes the powerful king of day, Rejoicing in the east.”
James Thomson (poet, born 1700) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Also quoted by: James Thomson
“In an era when fiction with political intent was widely condemned, Wright’s haunting novel, with its clear political message, made me unafraid to write a political novel. It also showed me that presenting horrifying actions can serve a powerful literary purpose, and that “shocking” can be high praise.”
Richard Wright (1908–1960) said by 1960 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Alix Kates Shulman about Native Son “Five Books that Made me a Feminist” (2019)
“When you are about to badger the weak, Then imagine yourself before a more powerful man.”
Thiruvalluvar wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Google’s more powerful than any government now – people think it’s God. They’re storing all our data and one day they’re going to turn against us.”
M.I.A. (born 1975) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To want to be ahead, and to celebrate and mythify this endeavor, is indeed one of the most powerful impulses of modernity itself.”
Amitav Ghosh (born 1956) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If God is truly powerful, He would not let this plague go on.”
Sheri S. Tepper (1929–2016) said by 2016 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For the love of gain would reconcile the weaker to the dominion of the stronger, and the possession of capital enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller cities to subjection.”
Thucydides (461–395 BC) said by 395 BC at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Tribalism is the most powerful force in the world.”
Patrick Dixon (born 1957) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“All the most powerful speeches ever made point to a better future.”
Patrick Dixon (born 1957) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There were two classes of created objects which he held in the deepest and most unmingled horror: they were, dogs and children. He was not unamiable, but he could at any time have viewed the execution of a dog, or the assassination of an infant, with the liveliest satisfaction. Their habits were at variance with his love of order; and his love of order, was as powerful as his love of life.”
Charles Dickens (1812–1870) first seen 1833 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Dinner at Poplar Walk" (1833), later published as "Mr. Minns and his Cousin
“The desire not to look bad before one’s fellow man is a strange, compelling, and terribly powerful thing.”
Harry Turtledove (born 1949) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I cannot think of a better way to spread the faith. No thundering from a pulpit, no condemnation from bad churches, no peer pressure, just a book of scripture quietly waiting to say hello, as gentle and powerful as a little girl's kiss on your cheek.”
Yann Martel (born 1963) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But they lived those extraordinary lives that can never be lived again. And in the living of them, they gave me a history that is more profound, more beautiful, more powerful, more passionate, and ultimately more useful, than the best damn history book I ever read.”
Utah Phillips (1935–2008) first seen 1999 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Track 13: "The Long Memory." Fellow Workers, Righteous Babe Records (1999)
“What I mean by "liberal"...is a moral rectitude and intellectual certainty claimed by a small but powerful sect of publicists and politicians on behalf of an arbitrary collection of policies, some of which are sensible and some bogus, but which in bulk are made offensive by the way in which they are presented.”
Maurice Cowling (1926–2005) first seen 1968 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 'There's been a revolution here, too', The Spectator (24 May 1968), quoted in 'Skeletons from Mr Cowling's cupboard', in Michael Bentley (ed.), Public and Private Doctrine: Essays in British History presented to Maurice…
“However much we may sympathize with a small nation confronted by a big and powerful neighbour, we cannot in all circumstances undertake to involve the whole British Empire in war simply on her account. If we have to fight it must be on larger issues than that.”
Neville Chamberlain (1869–1940) first seen 1938 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Broadcast (27 September 1938), quoted in The Times (28 September 1938), p. 10
“On hearing about powerful love, respond, be moved like an aesthete. Only, fortunate as you’ve been, remember how much your imagination created for you.”
Constantine P. Cavafy (1863–1933) said by 1933 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Nothing like nationalism is discoverable elsewhere, for the social conditions for it did not exist. In fact, if anything the forces which were later to produce nationalism were at this stage opposed to the alliance of tradition, religion and mass poverty which produced the most powerful resistance to the encroachment of western conquerors and exploiters.”
Eric Hobsbawm (1917–2012) said by 2012 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Nationalism and Racialism is a powerful force but I can't feel that it's either unnatural or immoral! I cannot myself doubt that these fellows are genuine haters of Communism, etc.! And I daresay if we were in their position we might feel the same!”
Edward Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax (1881–1959) first seen 1937 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Stanley Baldwin (15 November 1937), quoted in Andrew Roberts ‘The Holy Fox’: The Life of Lord Halifax (1997), p. 282
“Blind. The apprentice thought, "we are blind", and he sat down and wrote Blindness to remind those who might read it that we pervert reason when we humiliate life, that human dignity is insulted every day by the powerful of our world, that the universal lie has replaced the plural truths, that man stopped respecting himself when he lost the respect due to his fellow-creatures.”
José Saramago (1922–2010) said by 2010 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source