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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“Folks don’t like to have somebody around knowin’ more than they do. It aggravates ‘em. You’re not gonna change any of them by talkin’ right, they’ve got to want to learn themselves, and when they don’t want to learn there’s nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language.”
Harper Lee (1926–2016) said by 2016 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And now we get down to two magic words that tell us how to accomplish just about anything we want to accomplish, two powerful words that can change any situation, two dynamic words that all too few people use. And what are these two amazing words? Do it!”
Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The perpetual tendency of the race of man to increase beyond the means of subsistence is one of the general laws of animated nature, which we can have no reason to expect to change.”
Thomas Robert Malthus (1766–1834) said by 1834 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Not many years had elapsed after the first edition of this work, when it became known to all with whom Mr. Malthus had the opportunity of communicating on the subject, or who were acquainted with his last publications, that his opinions on the subject of value had undergone some change.”
Thomas Robert Malthus (1766–1834) said by 1834 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The shaping influence of economic change can of course be distinguished, as most notably in the period with which this book is concerned. But the difficulty lies in estimating the final importance of a factor which never, in practice, appears in isolation.”
Raymond Williams (1921–1988) first seen 1958 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Culture and Society (1958) p. 280
“It is then in making hope practical, rather than despair convincing, that we must resume and change and extend our campaigns.”
Raymond Williams (1921–1988) first seen 1980 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Politics of Nuclear Disarmament" (1980), in Resources of Hope p. 188 (1989).
“... idea of what books and literature are for ... serious fiction ... It is for people who may be a little isolated ... may be isolated by the very fact that they like to read books. And that my job really is to participate in that community and make that human connection. So, I went from trying to impress people or change them ... to just trying to make that connection.”
Jonathan Franzen (born 1959) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Economic system of the US was created & designed before women had a voice in the public realm. We do have a voice now; it’s important that we use it not to fit into the system but to change the system. The main engine of our economy should be the care & nurturance of our children”
Marianne Williamson (born 1952) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Twitter (2 Oct 2019)
“21stC mindset different than 20th. There’s realization that either we will evolve into a higher level of compassion for everyone, or in time there will be no one left. Warmongers, climate change deniers, fossil fuel extractors, capitalists without conscience - they are dinosaurs.”
Marianne Williamson (born 1952) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If the shoe doesn't fit, must we change the foot?”
Gloria Steinem (1934–2026) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions (1983), p. 228
“It becomes more necessary to see the truth as it is if you realize that the only vehicle for change is these people who have lost their personality.”
Steve Biko (1946–1977) said by 1977 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Paradoxically, we are in a golden age of books, documentaries, and films that... expose the abuses, crimes and authoritarian essence of corporate commercialism. ...[N]ever ...have they had less impact for change.”
Ralph Nader (born 1934) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“With the growing urgency of climate change, we cannot have it both ways. We cannot shout from the rooftops about the dangers of global warming and then turn around and shout even louder about the "dangers" of windmills.”
David Suzuki (born 1936) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We now live within a globalized economy. So to live the way we are in Vancouver, it means that people in Mexico, people in Africa are having to change the way they're living.”
David Suzuki (born 1936) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If every choice you make comes from an honest place, you’re solid, and nothing anybody can say about you can rock you or change your opinion.”
Angelina Jolie (born 1975) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is impossible to introduce into society a greater change and a greater evil than this: the conversion of the law into an instrument of plunder.”
Frédéric Bastiat (1801–1850) said by 1850 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Frequently an issue of this sort will come before the Court clad, so to speak, in sheep's clothing: the potential of the asserted principle to effect important change in the equilibrium of power is not immediately evident, and must be discerned by a careful and perceptive analysis. But this wolf comes as a wolf.”
Antonin Scalia (1936–2016) first seen 1988 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Morrison v. Olson, 487 U.S. 654, 699 (1988) (dissenting).
“I think [that] '[t]he judicial Power of the United States' conferred upon this Court 'and such inferior courts as Congress may establish', must be deemed to be the judicial power as understood by our common-law tradition. That is the power 'to say what the law is', Marbury v. Madison, 1 Cranch 137, 177 (1803), not the power to change it.”
Antonin Scalia (1936–2016) first seen 1991 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: James M. Beam Distilling Co. v. Georgia, 501 U.S. 529 (1991) (concurring).
“I don't think it's a living document, I think it's dead. More precisely, I think it's enduring. It doesn't change. I think that needs to be orthodoxy.”
Antonin Scalia (1936–2016) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech at Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Virginia (April 2008). http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/04/no_to_cameras_yes_to_60_minute.html
“Lesson #7: Belief and seeing are both often wrong. Lesson #8: Be prepared to reexamine your reasoning. Lesson #9: In order to do good, you may have to engage in evil. Lesson #10: Never say never. Lesson #11: You can't change human nature...”
Robert McNamara (1916–2009) first seen 2004 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Robert S. McNamara (2004), Official Teacher's Guide for The Fog of War, p. 5
“If none of us ever read a book that was "dangerous," had a friend who was "different," or joined an organization that advocated "change," we would all be just the kind of people Joe McCarthy wants.”
Edward R. Murrow (1908–1965) said by 1965 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“All people are pretty much alike, except in so far as ambition may change a man from a normal person into a machine or a monster.”
Fred Hoyle (1915–2001) said by 2001 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When you teach people it is useless to try to change their character. Correct their bad habits first, then their true character can come through. Teachers must have a positive mind. If their attitude is negative, it infects their students. Students cannot learn from bad examples until they develop their own powers of judgement.”
Koichi Tohei (1920–2011) said by 2011 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Until you change the sub conscience mind, you cannot say that you have learned something. If something is worth learning, you should stick with it until you have changed your subconscious mind.”
Koichi Tohei (1920–2011) said by 2011 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“How many special people change? / How many lives are living strange? / Where were you while we were getting high? People believe that they're gonna get away for the summer/ But you and I/ We live and die/ The world 's still spinning round we don't know why. Someday you will find me, caught beneath a landslide / In a champagne supernova in the sky.”
Noel Gallagher (born 1967) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Why you scared? / You'll never change what's been and gone All of the stars / Are fading away / Just try not to worry / You'll see them someday / Take what you need / And be on your way / And stop crying your heart out”
Noel Gallagher (born 1967) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Please do not assume that you can change governments. Young people don’t understand this.”
Lee Kuan Yew (1923–2015) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: MM Lee Kuan Yew, after 2006 Elections cited by The Washington Post
“Traditional leadership is based on ascription. In former times, there was some degree of flexibility which enabled change. This was based on prowess in war and statecraft. The British fossilised the system and traditional leaders became government functionaries. Their authority was strengthened by the colonial administration.”
Joni Madraiwiwi (1957–2016) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to the Pacific Regional Workshop on Leadership Development, Lami, Fiji, 9 July 2005.
“The essence of traditional leadership is learned by osmosis. The next generation learns from what their elders and the current generation does. This was appropriate in a society where the pace of change was gradual.”
Joni Madraiwiwi (1957–2016) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to the Pacific Regional Workshop on Leadership Development, Lami, Fiji, 9 July 2005.
“Back then (in 1985) the issue of the day was nuclear testing, now we are faced with problems such as climate change, overfishing, deforestation, shipments of radioactive materials through Pacific waters and nuclear proliferation. We need to remain vigilant so that we won't become victims again.”
Joni Madraiwiwi (1957–2016) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Address to Greenpeace, Suva, 10 July 2005.
“If my music can change someone's mood for the better even a little bit, that's amazing.”
“The status quo is not good for the ordinary Fijians. It is good for the elites in society but not for the ordinary Fijians. This is why you have not seen the ordinary Fijians progress much in the last 35 years since independence. It needs a change in policy and strategies for the development of the grassroots Fijian people.”
Mahendra Chaudhry (born 1942) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is certainly true that whatever a man may do or say, the most significant thing about him is what he thinks; and significant also is how he came to think it, why he continued to think it, or, if he did not continue, what the influences were which caused him to change his mind.”
Albert Jay Nock (1870–1945) said by 1945 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The only important elements in any society are the artistic and the criminal, because they alone, by questioning the society’s values, can force it to change.” “Is that true?” “I don’t know.”
Samuel R. Delany (born 1942) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The beginning of the end, the beginning of the end,” muttered Lo Hawk. “We must preserve something.” “The end of the beginning,” sighed La Dire. “Everything must change.”
Samuel R. Delany (born 1942) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Life, I sometimes think—like dreams, like stories, like plans, even like lies if you will—is to be pondered on, interpreted, interrogated: but you had best not try to change it too radically in the middle, or you risk never finding its secret.”
Samuel R. Delany (born 1942) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Anything short of radical change to the Republican party’s war on voters of color is merely feigned outrage. Even if the white supremacists are condemned, even if the entire Republican party rises up in self-professed outrage at white supremacists, if voter suppression and other such racist policies survive, the white supremacists are winning. And America is losing.”
Russ Feingold (born 1953) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Small Mabel whimpered all night long, For calling herself the cause. Her oak-eyed mother did no thing But change the bloody gauze.”
Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000) said by 2000 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Dr. King’s policy was, if you are nonviolent, if you suffer, your opponent will see your suffering and will be moved to change his heart. That’s very good. He only made one fallacious assumption. In order for nonviolence to work, your opponent must have a conscience. The United States has none.”
Stokely Carmichael (1941–1998) first seen 1967 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Black Power Mixtape (1967-1975)
“This year’s election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public’s money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family.”
Newt Gingrich (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Washington is a dirty diaper. It's time for a change.”
James Carville (born 1944) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On his 6th September 2006 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
“I hold in my heart that rebellious spirit of youth that demands change.”
Dennis Kucinich (born 1946) first seen 2004 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech, University of Manchester, Manchester, New Hampshire (27 January 2004) .
“Pakistan has nuclear weapons, but it does not have security. On the other hand, we do not have nuclear weapons but we are a secure country and we have the power to defend ourselves and protect our security. Therefore, the production of nuclear weapons is considered ḥarām based on Ayatollah Khamenei's fatwā and it is not subject to change.”
Ali Khamenei (1939–2026) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Yvette Hovsepian-Bearce, The Political Ideology of Ayatollah Khamenei: Out of the Mouth of the Supreme Leader of Iran, London: Routledge, 2016, p. 220.
“Besicovitch and Harry Williams asked me what God was doing before the Creation. I said: 'Millions of words must have been written on this; but he was doing Pure Mathematics and thought it would be a pleasant change to do some Applied.'”
John Edensor Littlewood (1885–1977) said by 1977 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I don't think we're yet evolved to the point where we're clever enough to handle a complex a situation as climate change. … The inertia of humans is so huge that you can't really do anything meaningful.”
James Lovelock (1919–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Even the best democracies agree that when a major war approaches, democracy must be put on hold for the time being. I have a feeling that climate change may be an issue as severe as a war. It may be necessary to put democracy on hold for a while.”
James Lovelock (1919–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Nobody draws the light for covered wine rooms from the south or west, but rather from the north, since that quarter is never subject to change but is always constant and unshifting. So it is with granaries: grain exposed to the sun's course soon loses its good quality, and provisions and fruit, unless stored in a place unexposed to the sun's course, do not keep long.”
Vitruvius (80–15 BC) said by 15 BC at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“nothing suffers annihilation, but at dissolution there is a change, and things fall back to the essential element in which they were before.”
Vitruvius (80–15 BC) said by 15 BC at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“[T]here is no more formidable obstacle than the Established Church to the spirit of rash and theoretic change which we, almost alone among the nations, have escaped .”
Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury (1830–1903) first seen 1861 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 'Church-rates', Quarterly Review, vol. 110 (July & October 1861), p. 545
“Resistance is folly or heroism—a virtue or a vice—in most cases, according to the probabilities there are of its being successful. The perils of change are so great the promise of the most hopeful theories is so often deceptive, that it is frequently the wiser part to uphold the existing state of things, if it can be done, even though, in point of argument, it should be utterly indefensible.”
Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury (1830–1903) first seen 1865 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 'Parliamentary Reform', Quarterly Review, vol. 117 (January & April 1865), p. 550