Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,161,747 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
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“Solidarity is a beautiful word because it means that you reach out to those who are different from you and who have to cope with different circumstances because we recognize that we all share the same human needs and same values. It is the values that count most of all. The value of freedom of thought, the value of democratic practices, the value of respect for your fellow human beings.”
Aung San Suu Kyi (born 1945) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Each thing in its way, when true to its own character, is equally beautiful.”
Edward Abbey (1927–1989) said by 1989 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You are Great, Little Man, when you are not small and petty. You are great when you carry on your trade lovingly, when you enjoy carving and building and painting and decorating and sowing, when you enjoy the blue sky and the deer and the dew and music and dancing, your growing children and the beautiful body of your woman or your man, when you learn to understand and think about life.”
Wilhelm Reich (1897–1957) said by 1957 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Do as the beautiful woman: see to your figure and your petticoats. Though, of course, I am not speaking literally.”
Jean Cocteau (1889–1963) said by 1963 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Russia! Russia! I see you now, from my wondrous, beautiful past I behold you! How wretched, dispersed, and uncomfortable everything is about you...”
Nikolai Gogol (1809–1852) said by 1852 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“At moments of great enthusiasm it seems to me that no one in the world has ever made something this beautiful and important.”
M. C. Escher (1898–1972) said by 1972 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The things I want to express are so beautiful and pure.”
M. C. Escher (1898–1972) said by 1972 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Lycurgus the Lacedæmonian brought long hair into fashion among his countrymen, saying that it rendered those that were handsome more beautiful, and those that were deformed more terrible. To one that advised him to set up a democracy in Sparta, "Pray," said Lycurgus, "do you first set up a democracy in your own house.”
Plutarch (40–120) said by 120 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“[Referring to Zimbabweans] Your leadership in the inclusive government urges you to desist from any acts of violence that will cause harm to others and become a blight on our society [...] Don't fight even over girlfriends. The country is full of beautiful women. If you can't get one, come to Mugabe for assistance.”
Robert Mugabe (1924–2019) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: From a speech at a rally commemorating Zimbabwe's 0th anniversary, as quoted in "", CNN (19 April 2010)
“If numbers aren't beautiful, I don't know what is.”
Paul Erdős (1913–1996) said by 1996 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Frequent remark, as quoted in My Brain Is Open : The Mathematical Journeys of Paul Erdos (1998) by Bruce Schechter, p. 14
“It struck him that the closer Nature got to the human, the uglier it could be. You could hardly find a plant that was not beautiful, even in a strange mottled way, but there were plenty of hideous simians.”
Mary McCarthy (1912–1989) said by 1989 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I never saw a more beautiful woman, enormous eyes, skin the color of Devonshire cream.”
Tennessee Williams (1911–1983) first seen 1961 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: After meeting Anna Magnani, as quoted in Tennessee Williams : Rebellious Puritan (1961) by Nancy Marie Patterson Tischler, p. 175
“It is disgraceful that the Hindus in my country were hunted by the Muslims after the destruction of the Babri Masjid. All of us who love Bangladesh should feel ashamed that such a terrible thing ‘could happen in our beautiful country. The riots that took place in 1992 in Bangladesh are the responsibility of us all, and we are all to blame.”
Taslima Nasrin (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Venus de Milo. To a child she is ugly. When a mind adjusts to thinking of her as a completeness, even though, by physiologic standards, incomplete, she is beautiful.”
Charles Fort (1874–1932) said by 1932 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Many of you look so beautiful in your uniforms and regalia for coming to the mosque. But as the Honorable Elijah Muhammad said during one lecture when our Muslim Brothers from the East were sitting on the rostrum, they are not here to see that you are clothed in a long, white dress or a long, black dress; they are here to see if you are clothed in the principles of your religion.”
Louis Farrakhan (born 1933) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“All is beautiful and unceasing, all is music and reason, and all, like diamond, is carbon first, then light.”
José Martí (1853–1895) said by 1895 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: I (Yo soy un hombre sincero) as translated by Esther Allen in José Martí : Selected Writings (2002), p. 275
“Every human being has within him an ideal man, just as every piece of marble contains in a rough state a statue as beautiful as the one that Praxiteles the Greek made of the god Apollo.”
José Martí (1853–1895) said by 1895 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Two of your beautiful daughters are in the hands of foreigners - Jerusalem and Baghdad. The foreigners are doing to your daughters as they will.”
George Galloway (born 1954) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The daughters are crying for help, and the Arab world is silent. And some of them are collaborating with the rape of these two beautiful Arab daughters.”
George Galloway (born 1954) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: From an interview broadcast by Syrian television, as cited in "Galloway 'put troops lives at risk'", The Telegraph (3 August 2005).
“You were beautiful and heartless...in some ways rather a bore. But you have grown up into another over-refined soul of the sort our aristocracy is so good at producing and which produces so little itself save ways to spend unconscionable amounts on castles, clothes, and complex towers to keep comfortable impossible beasts.”
Samuel R. Delany (born 1942) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We must always give our users pure sex. It's like a rendezvous in the back seat of an automobile with a beautiful girl. One's experience with the personal computer should be better than the greatest orgasm you could have.”
Jean-Louis Gassée (born 1944) first seen 1990 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Personal Computer World, July 1990
“London is always beautiful to those who love and understand that extraordinary microcosm; but at five of a summer morning there is about her an exquisite quality of youthful fragrance and debonair freshness which goes to the heart.”
William McFee (1881–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You employ stone, wood and concrete, and with these materials you build houses and palaces. That is construction. Ingenuity is at work. But suddenly you touch my heart, you do me good, I am happy and I say: "This is beautiful." That is Architecture. Art enters in.”
Le Corbusier (1887–1965) said by 1965 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A hundred times I have thought: New York is a catastrophe, and fifty times: it is a beautiful catastrophe.”
Le Corbusier (1887–1965) first seen 1947 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: When the Cathedrals Were White (1947)
“We will not think noble because we are not noble. We will not live in beautiful harmony because there is no such thing in this world, nor should there be. We promise only to do our best and to live out our lives. Dear God, that's all we can promise in truth.”
Lillian Hellman (1905–1984) first seen 1956 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Candide (1956)
“The women of the Right are certainly the most beautiful … the Left has no taste, not even when it comes to women”
Silvio Berlusconi (1936–2023) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Did I say This? in The Observer (20 April 2008)
“People will vote for Daniela Santanchè because she is a beautiful babe.”
Silvio Berlusconi (1936–2023) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Did I say This? in The Observer (20 April 2008)
“We could not field a big enough force to avoid this risk [of rape]. We would need so many soldiers because our women are so beautiful.”
Silvio Berlusconi (1936–2023) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Silvio Berlusconi criticised for 'pretty girl' rape comment" in The Telegraph (26 January 2009)
“There are two styles of walls "opus reticulatum," now used by everybody and the ancient style called "opus incertum." Of these, the reticulatum looks better, but its construction makes it likely to crack... On the other hand, in the opus incertum, the rubble lying in courses and imbricated, makes a wall which though not beautiful, is stronger.”
Vitruvius (80–15 BC) said by 15 BC at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Reptiles and amphibians are sometimes thought of as primitive, dull and dimwitted. In fact, of course, they can be lethally fast, spectacularly beautiful, surprisingly affectionate and very sophisticated.”
David Attenborough (born 1926) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Beautiful was not the opposite of terrible. The two could easily co-exist.”
Cory Doctorow (born 1971) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It's not so bad to live out of a suitcase. It's a really beautiful life .”
Jane Monheit (born 1977) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mlive.com (July 2, 2005)
“Recently I camped in a paradise like glacial cirque. At evening, beautiful singing of birds was ruined by the obscene roar of jet planes. Then I laughed at the idea of having any compunction about crippling an airplane pilot.”
Theodore Kaczynski (1942–2023) first seen 1985 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Journal (May 1985)
“A beautiful battle is one you don't have to fight.”
Robert Jordan (1948–2007) said by 2007 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Caught up in bouts with the root of all evil I've seen it turn beautiful people crude and deceitful And make them do shit illegal for these Grants and Jacksons These transactions explain a man's actions But in the midst of this insanity, I found my Christianity Through God and there's a wish He granted me He showed me how to cope with the stress and hope for the best”
“Maybe it's hatred I spew, maybe it's food for the spirit Maybe it's beautiful music I made for you to just cherish”
Eminem (born 1972) first seen 2001 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Renegade" (featured on Jay-Z's Blueprint, 2001)
“America! Ha ha ha! We love you! How many people are proud to be citizens of this beautiful country of ours, the stripes and the stars for the rights that men have died for to protect, the women and men who have broke their necks for the freedom of speech the United States government has sworn to uphold… or so we're told.”
“Ma, you're still beautiful to me, 'cause you're my mom”
“It's true, I'm a Rubik's—a beautiful mess”
“Stable climates with muted seasons allow more kinds of organisms to specialize on narrower pieces of the environment, to outcompete the generalists around them, and so persist for longer periods of time. Species are packed more tightly. No niche, it seems goes unfilled. Specialization is likely to be pushed to bizarre, beautiful extremes.”
E. O. Wilson (1929–2021) said by 2021 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The islands above the falls are covered with foliage as beautiful as can be seen anywhere. Viewed from the mass of rock which overhangs the fall, the scenery was the loveliest I had seen.”
David Livingstone (1813–1873) said by 1873 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think magic is very related to happiness. So it is not there all the time, but there are beautiful moments of magic in everyone's life.”
Penélope Cruz (born 1974) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Admiral says that he never beheld so fair a thing: trees all along the river, beautiful and green, and different from ours, with flowers and fruits each according to their kind, many birds and little birds which sing very sweetly.”
Christopher Columbus (1451–1506) first seen 1492 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 28 October 1492
“I love Armenian people — all of them. I love them because they are a part of the enormous human race, which of course I find simultaneously beautiful and vulnerable.”
William Saroyan (1908–1981) said by 1981 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Aristotle Onassis rescued me at a moment when my life was engulfed with shadows. He brought me into a world where one could find both happiness and love. We lived through many beautiful experiences together which cannot be forgotten, and for which I will be eternally grateful.”
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement at the funeral of Aristotle Onassis, as quoted in Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis : A Life (2000) by Donald Spoto.
“His head was so beautiful. I tried to hold the top of his head down, maybe I could keep it in... but I knew he was dead.”
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It's definitely a beautiful blonde with dirty underwear.”
David Boreanaz (born 1969) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Nothing is so beautiful as Spring— When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush; Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring The ear, it strikes like lightning to hear him sing.”
Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889) said by 1889 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A little while ago I took a nap under an olive tree, and the color harmonies I saw were so touching. It's like a paradise you have no right to analyze, but you are a painter, for God's sake! Nice is so beautiful! Alight so soft and tender, despite its brilliance.”
Henri Matisse (1869–1954) first seen 1918 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In a letter to a friend, Nice 1918, as quoted in 'Matisse & Picasso', Paul Trachtman, Smithsonian Magazine, February 2003, p. 6
“Men are like pillow-cases. The colour of one may be red, that of another blue, and that of the third black; but all contain the same cotton within. So it is with man; one is beautiful, another is ugly, a third holy, and a fourth wicked; but the Divine Being dwells in them all. (37)”
Ramakrishna (1836–1886) said by 1886 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source