# December 14

Quotes of the day from previous years:

## 2004

    Loving kindness is greater than laws; and the charities of life are more than all ceremonies. ~ The Talmud
   * selected by Kalki

## 2005

    My creed is that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration, that constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought, that smears are not only to be expected but fought, that honor is to be earned but not bought. ~ Margaret Chase Smith (born 14 December 1897)
   * proposed by Kalki

## 2006

    My deepest impulses are optimistic; an attitude that seems to me as spiritually necessary and proper as it is intellectually suspect. ~ Ellen Willis (born 14 December 1941)
   * proposed by InvisibleSun

## 2007

    I had determined to go as far as declaring in abstruse and puzzling utterances the future causes of the "common advent", even those truly cogent ones that I have foreseen. Yet lest whatever human changes may be to come should scandalise delicate ears, the whole thing is written in nebulous form, rather than as a clear prophecy of any kind. ~ Nostradamus‎ (born 14 December 1503)
   * proposed by Kalki

## 2008

    The Art of Peace is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood within. On occasion the Voice of Peace resounds like thunder, jolting human beings out of their stupor. ~ Morihei Ueshiba (born 14 December 1883)
   * proposed by Kalki

## 2009

    Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character. ~ Margaret Chase Smith
   * proposed by Zarbon

## 2010

    The project of organizing a democratic political movement entails the hope that one's ideas and beliefs are not merely idiosyncratic but speak to vital human needs, interests and desires, and therefore will be persuasive to many and ultimately most people. But this is a very different matter from deciding to put forward only those ideas presumed (accurately or not) to be compatible with what most people already believe. ~ Ellen Willis
   * proposed by InvisibleSun

## 2011

    There’s a day to ride thumb on a thunderhead There’s a day to make fantasy real There’s a day to deny and a day to decry and a day for the man the wind at his heels. ~ Mike Scott ~
   * proposed by Kalki

## 2012

* Instructors can impart only a fraction of the teaching. It is through your own devoted practice that the mysteries of the Art of Peace are brought to life.
* ~ Morihei Ueshiba ~
   * proposed by Kalki

## 2013

* Some say the Gods are just a myth but guess Who I've been dancing with... The Great God Pan is alive!
* ~ Mike Scott ~
   * proposed by Kalki

## 2014

* At sea on a ship in a thunderstorm on the very night the Christ was born a sailor heard from overhead a mighty voice cry "Pan is Dead!" So follow Christ as best you can Pan is dead — Long live Pan!
* ~ Mike Scott ~
   * proposed by Kalki

## 2015

* In the Art of Peace we never attack. An attack is proof that one is out of control. Never run away from any kind of challenge, but do not try to suppress or control an opponent unnaturally. Let attackers come any way they like and then blend with them. Never chase after opponents. Redirect each attack and get firmly behind it.
* ~ Morihei Ueshiba ~
   * proposed by Kalki

## 2016

* In its original literal sense, "moral relativism" is simply moral complexity. That is, anyone who agrees that stealing a loaf of bread to feed one's children is not the moral equivalent of, say, shoplifting a dress for the fun of it, is a relativist of sorts. But in recent years, conservatives bent on reinstating an essentially religious vocabulary of absolute good and evil as the only legitimate framework for discussing social values have redefined "relative" as "arbitrary." That conflation has been reinforced by social theorists and advocates of identity politics who argue that there is no universal morality, only the value systems of particular cultures and power structures.
* ~ Ellen Willis ~
   * proposed by Kalki

## 2017

* I say, life and figure are distinct attributes of one substance, and as one and the same body may be transmuted into all kinds of figures; and as the perfecter figure comprehends that which is more imperfect; so one and the same body may be transmuted from one degree of life to another more perfect, which always comprehends in it the inferior.… the case is the same in diverse degrees of life, which have indeed a beginning, but no end; so that the creature is always capable of a farther and perfecter degree of life, ad infinitum, and yet can never attain to be equal with God; for he is still infinitely more perfect than a creature, in its highest elevation or perfection, even as a globe is the most perfect of all other figures, unto which none can approach.
* ~ Anne Conway ~
   * proposed by Kalki

## 2018

* As a country, we have been through this too many times. Whether it is an elementary school in Newtown, or a shopping mall in Oregon, or a temple in Wisconsin, or a movie theater in Aurora, or a street corner in Chicago, these neighborhoods are our neighborhoods and these children are our children. And we’re going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics. This evening, Michelle and I will do what I know every parent in America will do, which is hug our children a little tighter, and we’ll tell them that we love them, and we’ll remind each other how deeply we love one another. But there are families in Connecticut who cannot do that tonight, and they need all of us right now. In the hard days to come, that community needs us to be at our best as Americans, and I will do everything in my power as president to help, because while nothing can fill the space of a lost child or loved one, all of us can extend a hand to those in need, to remind them that we are there for them, that we are praying for them, that the love they felt for those they lost endures not just in their memories, but also in ours. May God bless the memory of the victims and, in the words of Scripture, heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.
* ~ Barack Obama ~
   * proposed by JessRek6

## 2019

* Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul creates the symphony of life.
* ~ BKS Iyengar ~
   * proposed by ΞΔΞ

## 2020

* A good man knows when to sacrifice himself, Brother Michael liked to say. A bad man survives but loses his soul.
* ~ John le Carré ~
   * proposed by Kalki
2021
* The stars are alive and nights like these were born to be sanctified by you and me.
* ~ Mike Scott ~
   * proposed by Kalki

## 2022

* If your opponent strikes with fire, counter with water, becoming completely fluid and free-flowing. Water, by its nature, never collides with or breaks against anything. On the contrary, it swallows up any attack harmlessly.
* ~ Morihei Ueshiba ~
   * proposed by Zarbon

## 2023

* I was grounded While you filled the skies I was dumbfounded by truth You cut through lies I saw the lone empty valley You saw Brigadoon I saw the crescent You saw the whole of the moon.
* ~ Mike Scott ~
   * proposed by Kalki

## 2024

* A man needs a little madness, or else he never dares cut the rope and be free.
* ~ Zorba the Greek ~
   * proposed by Ficaia

## 2025

    Rank or add further suggestions…
The Quote of the Day (QOTD) is a prominent feature of the Wikiquote Main Page. Thank you for submitting, reviewing, and ranking suggestions!

   ## Ranking system

    4 : Excellent – should definitely be used. (This is the utmost ranking and should be used by any editor for only one quote at a time for each date.)
    3 : Very Good – strong desire to see it used.
    2 : Good – some desire to see it used.
    1 : Acceptable – but with no particular desire to see it used.
    0 : Not acceptable – not appropriate for use as a quote of the day.
    An averaging of the rankings provided to each suggestion produces it’s general ranking in considerations for selection of Quote of the Day. The selections made are usually chosen from the top ranked options existing on the page, but the provision of highly ranked late additions, especially in regard to special events (most commonly in regard to the deaths of famous people, or other major social or physical occurrences), always remain an option for final selections.
    Thank you for participating!

## Suggestions

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company. ~ George Washington (Date of death)
* 3 ~ UDScott 23:09, 28 November 2005 (UTC)
* 3 InvisibleSun 07:14, 30 November 2006 (UTC)
* 0 Kalki 19:51, 13 December 2007 (UTC) 3 Kalki 18:14, 13 December 2006 (UTC) This isn't actually a quote of Washington himself but one of lessons he copied out of a book as a school boy.
* 0 because for one I do not agree with it and second, because it wasn't said by him originally. Zarbon 16:23, 26 April 2008 (UTC)
I think that it is high time that we remembered that the Constitution, as amended, speaks not only of the freedom of speech but also of trial by jury instead of trial by accusation. ~ Margaret Chase Smith (date of birth)
* 3 Kalki 22:54, 13 December 2005 (UTC)
* 3 InvisibleSun 07:14, 30 November 2006 (UTC)
* 1 Zarbon 16:23, 26 April 2008 (UTC)
* 3 Ningauble 14:07, 12 December 2008 (UTC)
Individuals bearing witness cannot do the work of social movements, but they can break a corrosive and demoralizing silence. ~ Ellen Willis (born December 14, 1941)
* 3 InvisibleSun 07:14, 30 November 2006 (UTC)
* 3 Kalki 18:14, 13 December 2006 (UTC)
* 2 Zarbon 16:23, 26 April 2008 (UTC)
* 3 Ningauble 14:07, 12 December 2008 (UTC)
It's as crucial to defend secular culture as to preserve secular law. And in fact the two projects are inseparable: When religion defines morality, the wall between church and state comes to be seen as immoral. ~ Ellen Willis
* 4 InvisibleSun 07:14, 30 November 2006 (UTC)
* 2 Kalki 18:14, 13 December 2006 (UTC)
* 2 Zarbon 16:23, 26 April 2008 (UTC)
* 2 Ningauble 14:07, 12 December 2008 (UTC)
* 1 Zarbon 16:23, 26 April 2008 (UTC)
* 2 Ningauble 14:07, 12 December 2008 (UTC)
Tis well. ~ George Washington
* 3 Kalki 19:51, 13 December 2007 (UTC) Last words. (died 14 December 1799) with a strong lean toward 4.
* 0 Zarbon 16:23, 26 April 2008 (UTC)
Slowly and sadly we laid him down, From the field of his fame fresh and gory; We carved not a line, and we raised not a stone, But we left him alone with his glory. ~ Charles Wolfe
* 3 Zarbon 06:40, 6 December 2008 (UTC)
* 2 Kalki 22:21, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
Tomorrow, I shall no longer be here. ~ Nostradamus
* 2 Zarbon 06:40, 6 December 2008 (UTC)
* 2 Kalki 22:21, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
When twenty years of the Moon's reign have passed another will take up his reign for seven thousand years. When the exhausted Sun takes up his cycle then my prophecy and threats will be accomplished. ~ Nostradamus
* 2 Zarbon 06:40, 6 December 2008 (UTC)
* 3 Kalki 22:21, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
Regarding technique, from ancient times it has been said that movements must fly like lightning and attacks must strike like thunder. ~ Morihei Ueshiba
* 3 Zarbon 06:40, 6 December 2008 (UTC)
* 3 Kalki 22:21, 10 December 2008 (UTC) I like this, but prefer the verse version of a similar statement which I am adding directly below this for easier comparison.
Move like a beam of light; Fly like lightning, Strike like thunder, Whirl in circles around A stable center. ~ Morihei Ueshiba ~
* 3 Kalki 22:21, 10 December 2008 (UTC) with a very strong lean toward 4.
* 2 Zarbon 05:18, 11 December 2008 (UTC)
I spoke about wings you just flew I wondered I guessed and I tried you just knew I sighed but you swooned I saw the crescent You saw the whole of the moon ~ Mike Scott
* 3 Kalki (talk · contributions) 18:35, 27 November 2011 (UTC)
Flags, rags, ferryboats, scimitars and scarves every precious dream and vision underneath the stars You climbed on the ladder with the wind in your sails you came like a comet blazing your trail too high, too far, too soon You saw the whole of the moon! ~ Mike Scott
* 3 Kalki (talk · contributions) 18:35, 27 November 2011 (UTC)
He stopped every clock in New York state and every heart that heard him and time itself was beaten and confused and fell lamb-like under the spell of his fabulous flashing fingers… ~ Mike Scott
* 3 Kalki (talk · contributions) 18:35, 27 November 2011 (UTC)
I have heard the big music and I'll never be the same something so pure just called my name. ~ Mike Scott
* 3 Kalki (talk · contributions) 18:35, 27 November 2011 (UTC)
I have drowned in the big sea now I find I'm still alive And I'm coming up forever shadows all behind me ecstacy to come… ~ Mike Scott
* 3 Kalki (talk · contributions) 18:35, 27 November 2011 (UTC)
Come with me on a journey beneath the skin We will look together for the Pan within. ~ Mike Scott
* 3 Kalki (talk · contributions) 18:35, 27 November 2011 (UTC)
Once you were tethered now you are free That was the river this is the sea. ~ Mike Scott
* 3 Kalki (talk · contributions) 18:35, 27 November 2011 (UTC) with a lean toward 4.
You're trying to make sense of something that you just don't see You're trying to make sense now and you know you once held the key But that was the river this is the sea. ~ Mike Scott
* 3 Kalki (talk · contributions) 18:35, 27 November 2011 (UTC) with a lean toward 4.
I pictured a rainbow you held it in your hands I had flashes but you saw the plan I wandered out in the world for years you just stayed in your room I saw the crescent You saw the whole of the moon. ~ Mike Scott
* 3 Kalki (talk · contributions) 18:35, 27 November 2011 (UTC) with a lean toward 4.
He's like a man you'd meet any place until you recognize that ancient Face The Great God Pan is alive! ~ Mike Scott
* 3 Kalki (talk · contributions) 18:35, 27 November 2011 (UTC)
* You think too much. That is your trouble. Clever people and grocers, they weigh everything.
** Zorba the Greek (film)
*** 3 Ficaia (talk) 16:13, 31 May 2024 (UTC)
* What kind of man are you, don't you even like dolphins?
** Zorba the Greek (film)
*** 3 Ficaia (talk) 16:13, 31 May 2024 (UTC)
*** Rationale: film released in Greece on 14 December. These quotes might also be run on 21 April (the birthday of w:Anthony Quinn) or 11 June (the birthday of w:Michael Cacoyannis)