George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

Quotes

• A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.

• The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it.

• In the arts of life man invents nothing; but in the arts of death he outdoes Nature herself, and produces by chemistry and machinery all the slaughter of plague, pestilence, and famine.

• A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time. When asked which dog wins, he reflected.

• Democracy is a form of government that substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few.

• Some men see things as they are and say why - I dream things that never were and say why not.

• Few people think more than two or three times a year. I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week.

• It is necessary for the welfare of society that genius should be privileged to utter sedition, to blaspheme, to outrage good taste, to corrupt the youthful mind, and generally to scandalize one's uncles.

• The fickleness of the women I love is only equaled by the infernal constancy of the women who love me.

• The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them.

• This is the true joy in life - being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances.

• Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.

• A reasonable man adapts himself to his environment. An unreasonable man persists in attempting to adapt his environment to suit himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

• Which painting in the National Gallery would I save if there was a fire? The one nearest the door of course.

• I am afraid we must make the world honest before we can honestly say to our children that honesty is the best policy.

• Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

• People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.

• The only real failure in life is the failure to try.