I figured it was time I did the latest random thing to be wandering its way around Scienceblogs. [Janet has introduced the “random quotes” meme.][janet], in which we’re supposed to go wandering through the [quotes here][quotes], and pick the first five that reflect “who you are or what you believe”.
1. “Human beings are perhaps never more frightening than when they are convinced beyond doubt that they are right.”, Laurens Van der Post, The Lost World of the Kalahari (1958). Could any quote possibly be more true?
2. “He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.”, Thomas Paine (1737 – 1809). Given recent events in this country, this is particularly apropos.
3. “We are here to change the world with small acts of thoughtfulness done daily rather than with one great breakthrough.”, Rabbi Harold Kushner. I’ve actually taken a class with Rabbi Kushner, and it was wonderful; this quote to me sums up a big part of how I try to live my life.
4. “Science is facts; just as houses are made of stones, so is science made of facts; but a pile of stones is not a house and a collection of facts is not necessarily science.”, Henri Poincare (1854 – 1912). I couldn’t possibly pick quotes for this blog without quoting a mathematician. Considering what I do on this blog, this one is quote appropriate for me. So many of the creationist screeds that I criticize are based on collections of actual facts put together in stupid ways that turn them in garbage instead of science.
5. “The art of dining well is no slight art, the pleasure not a slight pleasure.”, Michel de Montaigne (1533 – 1592). Yes, I’m a foodie. Maybe someday I’ll post a recipe or two. I used to have a website with the recipes from my Y2K New Years Eve party, but it got lost when I switched ISPs and forgot to copy it.
[janet]: http://scienceblogs.com/ethicsandscience/2006/08/random_quotations_meme.php
[quotes]: http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3