Why People Have to Make Their Own Mistakes

Found in an Economist article on how a central bank can (or cannot) stop a bank run:

"the ultimate result of shielding man from the effects of folly is to people the world with fools."

- Herbert Spencer, State Tampering with Money and Banks

Fighting for the Law

"The people should fight for their law as if defending the city's wall." -Heraclitus of Ephesus, Fragment 100"

This quote was so inspirational that one lawyer got it tattooed on his arm in the original Greek (scroll down).

The Fragments can be found here with the Greek and English side-by-side, for those interested.

Profound Atheist Quote

"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." -Stephen Roberts

Lincoln on Litigation

"Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough." -Abraham Lincoln