Some pegs to hang ideas on

“It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know the sense of wonder and humility.” — Rachel Carson, “Silent Spring.”

“To accomplish this transformation of our society from a narcissistic culture to a socially responsible and caring one, we ourselves must become the leaders of a values revolution that does not aim to disrupt and divide our culture, but to strengthen and support it.” — Maxine Schnall, “Limits.”

“The first rule of holes; when you’re in one, quit digging.” — Molly Ivins.

“My life has been greatly influenced by the many books which I have never read.” — Ashleigh Brilliant.

“The struggle of maturity is to recover the seriousness of a child at play.” — Friedrich Nietzsche.

“The less we know, the more we believe.” — Bono.

“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it’s just possible you haven’t grasped the situation.” — Jean Kerr.

“True patriots believe that we should measure a citizen’s worth by contribution to country and community, not by wealth or power — that those who have benefited most should contribute in proportion to their good fortune — and that serving others should be esteemed more highly than serving self.” — Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer, “The True Patriot.”

“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” — Derek C. Bok.

“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life; music and cats.” — Albert Schweitzer.

“Human nature is largely something that has to be overcome.” — Rita Rudner.

“There’s been so much concern over what might happen that what’s actually happening has passed almost unnoticed.” — Ashleigh Brilliant.

“If Lincoln were alive, he’d be rolling over in his grave.” — John Rothman.

“As long as anyone believes that his ideal and purpose is outside him, that it is above the clouds, in the past or in the future, he will go outside himself and seek fulfillment where it cannot be found.” — Erich Fromm, “Man for Himself.”

“He who thinks he doesn’t know, knows.” — Joseph Campbell.

“Just as we must let go of dead philosophies, illusions and old science to confront reality, so a country must keep challenging its traditions if it is to be transformed. If it wants renewal.” — Marilyn Ferguson, “The Aquarian Conspiracy.”

“War does not determine who is right — only who is left.” — Anonymous.

“Our politics is overheated because it is mostly vacant, empty of moral and spiritual content. It fails to engage in the big questions people care about.” — Michael J. Sandel, “What Money Can’t Buy.

“Of the billionaires I have known, money just brings out the basic traits in them. If they were jerks before they had money, they were jerks with a billion dollars.” — Warren Buffett.

“Where is the indignation index in this country?” — Bill Moyers.

“The trouble with our times is the future is not what it used to be.” — Paul Vatery.

“Adversity makes men, and prosperity makes monsters.” — Victor Hugo.

“There’s something wrong in America when common sense is not common any more.” — Dr. Phil.

“Life’s a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.” — Voltaire.

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store? What if Christmas means a little bit more?” — Dr. Seuss.

Since 1984, Dorothy Dimitre has written more than 950 columns for various local newspapers. Her email address is gramsd@aceweb.com.