Civilization's Quotations

Book excerpt: These 8,000 clever and insightful sayings, organized by theme, will enrich the prose of writers, public speakers and anyone seeking to lead or persuade. It also provides a wealth of inspirational affirmations to guide us in our lives. Chinese proverbs, Roman maxims and the wisdom of writers from William Penn to Kahlil Gibran cover themes from humility and patience to courage, will and action. The topics are arranged in a sequence that begins with birth and progresses through the seasons of the "Ideal Life." When possible, each quotation flows into the next one so that the whole section reads almost like a speech given by one person. In other sections, one quotation plays off another, creating a lively discussion amongst the authors.