Bill Polhemus

“By common consent the eminent man of the time was Napoleon Bonaparte, the revolution queller, the burgher sovereign, the imperial democrat, the supreme captain, the civil reformer, the victim of circumstances which his soaring ambition used but which his unrivaled prowess could not control. Gigantic in his proportions, and satanic in his fate, his was the most tragic figure on the stage of modern history. While the men of his own and the following generation were still alive, it was almost impossible that the truth should be known concerning his actions or his motives; and to fix his place in general history was even less feasible. What he wrote and said about himself was of course animated by a determination to appear in the best light; what others wrote and said has been biased by either devotion or hatred.”
― William Milligan Sloane, The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Vol. 1

“To seek for the meaning is to cut open the ball in search of its bounce.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, Smith of Wootton Major

“Anna was convinced that the low level of literature and art in Siam was due to the fear that every talented person felt of being impounded into royal service if it became known that he had more than ordinary gifts.”
― Margaret Landon, Anna and the King of Siam

“no matter how sure scientists think they are, nature has a way of surprising them.”
― Isaac Asimov, Nemesis