Ever since the observation of nature has existed, it has held a vague notion of its ultimate goal as the composition of the colorful multiplicity of phenomena in a uniform system, where possible, in a single formula.

In the fields of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind.

In the long run my observations have convinced me that some men, reasoning preposterously, first establish some conclusion in their minds which, either because of its being their own or because of their having received it from some person who has their entire confidence, impresses them so deeply that one finds it impossible ever to get it out of their heads.

At present, the novels which we owe to English ladies form no small part of the literary glory of our country. No class of works is more honorably distinguished for fine observation, by grace, by delicate wit, by pure moral feeling.

But, by careful observation from the sidelines, I’d worked out that social success is often built on pretending just a little. Popular people sometimes have to laugh at things they don’t find very funny, do things they don’t particularly want to, with people whose company they don’t particularly enjoy. Not me. I had decided, years ago, that if the choice was between that or flying solo, then I’d fly solo. It was safer that way.

A lot of times, I’m singing things that are observational and am definitely including myself.

That’s the beauty of what you want to achieve as an artist – seeing things in a different way. Kids are constantly saying things that are funny and surprising and their observations are just… you know, they’re like little artists themselves

Man is an imitative animal. This quality is the germ of all education in him. From his cradle to his grave he is learning to do what he sees others do.

To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.

I don’t see a lot of nature in L.A. Then again, I don’t see a lot when I go back to St. Louis, either.

My stuff is observational, what people do with their lives from the angle of a man that can’t pull it off. So if I talk about having a family, it would be through the medium of a man who is in no fit state to be given a child to look after.

The exception proves that the rule is wrong.” That is the principle of science. If there is an exception to any rule, and if it can be proved by observation, that rule is wrong.

Observation, reason, and experiment make up what we call the scientific method.

Young people, I want to beg of you always keep your eyes open to what Mother Nature has to teach you. By so doing you will learn many valuable things every day of your life.

Through steady observation, arranged by God’s wisdom, who would not be guided to admire the Builder who creates all.

When in doubt, observe and ask questions. When certain, observe at length and ask many more questions.

The single observation I would offer for your consideration is that some things are beyond your control. You can lose your health to illness or accident. You can lose your wealth to all manner of unpredictable sources. What are not easily stolen from you without your cooperation are your principles and your values. They are your most important possessions and, if carefully selected and nurtured, will well serve you and your fellow man.

The single observation I would offer for your consideration is that some things are beyond your control. You can lose your health to illness or accident. You can lose your wealth to all manner of unpredictable sources. What are not easily stolen from you without your cooperation are your principles and your values. They are your most important possessions and, if carefully selected and nurtured, will well serve you and your fellow man.

It has been my observation in life that, if one will only exercise the patience to wait, his wants are likely to be filled.

The more I see of life, the more I am convinced of the wisdom of that observation.

When liberty is mentioned, we must always be careful to observe whether it is not really the assertion of private interests which is thereby designated.

We learn from history that we do not learn from history.

Nietzsche understands the aesthetic state of the observer and recipient on the basis of the state of the creator. Thus the effect of the artwork is nothing else than a reawakening of the creator’s state in the one who enjoys the artwork. Observation of art follows in the wake of creation. Nietzsche says (SM, 821), —the effect of artworks is arousal of the art-creating state, rapture.

My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty… it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein.

A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.

More and more of our imports come from overseas.

The significance of a fact is relative to [the general body of scientific] knowledge. To say that a fact is significant in science, is to say that it helps to establish or refute some general law; for science, though it starts from observation of the particular, is not concerned essentially with the particular, but with the general. A fact, in science, is not a mere fact, but an instance. In this the scientist differs from the artist, who, if he deigns to notice facts at all, is likely to notice them in all their particularity.

A person who is too nice an observer of the business of the crowd, like one who is too curious in observing the labor of bees, will often be stung for his curiosity

If you love something so much let it go. If it comes back it was meant to be; if it doesn’t it never was.

A scholar tries to learn something everyday; a student of Buddhism tries to unlearn something daily

To discover the soul living in somebody’s body, we watch the surrounding of the body, and if it’s messy and disordered, so is the soul.

Nature is the source of all true knowledge. She has her own logic, her own laws, she has no effect without cause nor invention without necessity.

Vision without execution is hallucination. .. Skill without imagination is barren. Leonardo [da Vinci] knew how to marry observation and imagination, which made him history’s consummate innovator.

The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.

Horse sense is a good judgment which keeps horses from betting on people.

People quickly grow accustomed to the incredible if they are exposed to it on a daily basis.

Choose people who lift you up.

Everything that’s happened to me in my career has been special, even the tough times: they leave marks on you that shape your life.

I always look on the optimistic side of life.

When you are struggling and you start thinking about giving up, I want you to remember something that my husband and I have talked about since we first started this journey nearly a decade ago, something that has carried us through every moment in this White House and every moment of our lives, and that is the power of hope—the belief that something better is always possible if you’re willing to work for it and fight for it.

When I think about greatness I just know Ayrton Senna. He was great.

Your ability to keep doing interesting things is your willingness to be embarrassed and go back to step .

I will only hire someone to work directly for me if I would work for that person. It’s a pretty good test.

I feel like people are expecting me to fail; therefore, I expect myself to win.

Facebook was not originally created to be a company. It was built to accomplish a social mission – to make the world more open and connected.

In a world that’s changing quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.

I don’t really have a writing process. I don’t write at all but, honestly, I feel like it’s a modern-day writing because everything is technology and if I go in there and freestyle and I keep it, I feel like I wrote that. If I go in there and fix it, it’s almost like something I wrote.

The birds came daily to salute the grief of a poet who failed to understand the source of his sadness.

The true prison is the one within our minds.

Without the help of my teammates I would be nothing. I wouldn’t win titles, honors, nothing.

Little by little, I’m getting better all the time. I’ve not lost the passion to play.

I never thought a role model should be negative.

I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.

You can fool some of the people some of the time—and that’s enough to make a decent living.