Quotes

“Sometimes I think that a parody of democracy could be more dangerous than a blatant dictatorship, because that gives people an opportunity to avoid doing anything about it.” - Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese Nobel Laureate

“Every truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” - Arthur Schopenhauer, German Philosopher, 1788-1860

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." - Rumi

“If a business strategy were failing and instead of curbing a problem made it worse, would you keep it going or would you stop and consider an alternative course? Strangely, the trillion dollar war on drugs has persisted for 40 years even though it is the most dismal global policy failure of our time.” - Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Group

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too… Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it, begin it now.” - Goethe

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

“We have come to the stage where the real work of humanity begins...and critical to the turning are women.” - Jean Houston, Scholar, Philosopher and Visionary

“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” - Lilla Watson

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

"Fear not the strangeness you feel. The future must enter you long before it happens. Just wait for the Birth, for the hour of new clarity." - Rainer Maria Rilke

“...This is what my soul is telling me: Be Peaceful and Love Everyone.” - Malala Yousafzai

At the end of the talk someone from the audience asked the Dalai Lama, "Why didn't you fight back against the Chinese?" The Dalai Lama looked down, swung his feet just a bit, then looked back up at us and said with a gentle smile, "Well, war is obsolete, you know." Then, after a few moments, his face grave, he said, "Of course the mind can rationalise fighting back... but the heart, the heart would never understand. Then you would be divided in yourself, the heart and the mind, and the war would be inside you."

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” - His Holiness, the Dalai Lama