No iconoclast can possibly escape the severest criticism. If he is poor he is against existing things because he cannot succeed. If he is rich, he is not faithful to his ideals. The world always demands of a prophet a double standard. He must live a life consistent with his dreams, and at the same time must obey the conventions of the world. He cannot be judged either by one or the other, but must be judged by both.
SocietyConventionCriticismExpectationsHypocrisyLeadershipStandards
Not all critics apply double standards; some may offer fair evaluation.
Much of his work he did while confined to his bed. He was always an invalid, always obliged to take great care of himself, living constantly with death just be…
The truth is always modern and there never comes a time when it is safe to give it voice.
Pensions are the favors of the powerful, and dangerous to any great intellect. It is only here and there down throughout the ages that a Voltaire is born who d…
When we are sick, we want an uncommon doctor; when we have a construction job to do, we want an uncommon engineer, and when we are at war, we want an uncommon …
The whole principle is wrong. It's like demanding that grown men live on skim milk because the baby can't have steak.
I wasn't looking for another marriage. I had been married before. He is a nice man - a geologist, an Ernest Hemingway type. But Paul and I married because of c…