I respect the man who knows distinctly what he wishes. The greater part of all mischief in the world arises from the fact that men do not sufficiently understand their own aims. They have undertaken to build a tower, and spend no more labor on the foundation than would be necessary to erect a hut.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

They say that pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. If I learned to accept that pain is part of life, I will be better able to endure the difficult times, and then move on, leaving the pain behind me.
-- from Courage to Change: One Day At A Time in Al-Anon II

We have to keep trying things we're not sure we can pull off. If we just do the things we know we can do... you don't grow as much. You gotta take those chances on making those big mistakes.
-- Cybill Shepherd