Walter Lippmann Quotes

Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.

Broch is an inspiration to us, not only because of what he accomplished, but also because of all that he aimed at and could not attain.

I got fed up with the human race, really. I got a very negative feeling about human potentials. And for a while, I thought I might write a book without any human beings in it whatsoever.

But he who dies in despair has lived his whole life in vain.

If you keep bashing your head against the same wall, at some point you're going to fall over and be still for awhile.

There are two things that won't last long in this world, and that's dogs chasing cars and pros putting for pars.

The notion that the species can be improved in some way, that everyone could live in harmony, is a really dangerous idea. Those who are afflicted with this notion are the first ones to give up their souls, their freedom. Your desire that it be that way will enslave you and make your life vacuous.

The artist who aims at perfection in everything achieves it in nothing.

Man who waits for roast duck to fly into mouth must wait very, very long time.

When you really can't affect something, you almost don't wanna wish too hard, because it's just frustrating.

All human actions are equivalent and all are on principle doomed to failure.

I identify with someone wanting something to work out, but not being able to get through the rocks to the river.

Never idealize others. They will never live up to your expectations.

He that lives upon hope will die fasting.

All human actions are equivalent... and all are on principle doomed to failure.

Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything.

In all our quest of greatness, like wanton boys, whose pastime is their care, we follow after bubbles, blown in the air.

You know one of the causes of modern despair is the fact that we have had proposed to us, from various quarters, an impossible perfection.

Anger without power is folly.

We were trying to achieve miracles and reduce the world to what it cannot be.

Washington specialized in doing something that does nothing.

High expectations produce high frustrations.

I know I'm probably digging for fresh fruit in the garbage, and as much as anyone, my attitude is, if stuff's sincere, it's gooey and boring and uninteresting. But it's no way to live.

As much as I would have loved to look like Jennifer Aniston in 'Friends,' that didn't happen. And I really tried! I hit that gym! I got a flatiron. But it didn't happen.

You'd die very sad if you tried to make everyone in the world happy, you know what I mean? You can't; no one can.