December 31

December 31 Quotes of the day from previous years:


 * 2003
 * I cannot believe in a God who wants to be praised all the time. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
 * selected by Basil Fawlty


 * 2004
 * Wave after wave, each mightier than the last, Till last, a ninth one, gathering half the deep And full of voices, slowly rose and plunged Roaring, and all the wave was in a flame: And down the wave and in the flame was borne A naked babe... ~ Alfred, Lord Tennyson in Idylls of the King ~
 * selected by Kalki


 * 2005
 * For auld lang syne, my jo, For auld lang syne, We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne! ~ "Auld Lang Syne" by Robert Burns ~
 * selected by Kalki


 * 2006
 * When a thing is done, it's done. Don't look back. Look forward to your next objective. ~ George Marshall
 * proposed by UDScott


 * 2007
 * For my part I have never avoided the influence of others. I would have considered it cowardice and a lack of sincerity toward myself. ~ Henri Matisse (born December 31, 1869)
 * proposed by InvisibleSun


 * 2008
 * It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy... Let's go exploring! ~ Bill Watterson - Final strip of Calvin and Hobbes, published December 31, 1995
 * proposed by Lyle<!-- * 4 Lyle 18:35, 11 December 2008 (UTC)


 * 4 Kalki 20:30, 11 December 2008 (UTC)
 * 0 I hardly think "Calvin and Hobbes" would be a better selection than any of the suggestions...especially not if the quote is just simply "It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy...Let's go exploring!"...and? It provokes no sympathy or thought whatsoever. Sorry, although I do like Calvin/Hobbes and other comic strips...I don't think they make for worthwhile representations as QOTD material. The only people who would even find this worthwhile and inspiring are die-hard fans. Zarbon 05:12, 12 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Many QOTD's are from pop culture, and it is ignorant to dismiss an entire medium of art. Lyle 19:11, 12 December 2008 (UTC)
 * I myself have suggested many quotes from "pop culture" which have been dismissed by Kalki on numerous occasions. I don't need to pinpoint all the occasions where this has happened as they are very numerous. However, bare in mind that I am not rating this low because it is from pop culture, I am rating it low because I don't find anything particularly astounding about this specific quote. Just because it's from Calvin and Hobbes, doesn't make it special. Also, I find it especially obvious that no one will care for it unless they are truly die-hard Calvin and Hobbes fans. I like Garfield and Snoopy...but I'm not going to post every random thing that is said in the strips just because I like them. I mean no negativity, I can show you numerous quotations with actual meaning and thought provocation from pop culture that I have suggested if you would like. Zarbon 01:33, 13 December 2008 (UTC)
 * I really must assert that I have no recall of ever objecting to any quote suggested by anyone merely because it is some form of "pop culture" source. There have been quotes from comic strips, comic books, movies, television shows, popular songs, and electronic games which have been used, some of which I myself have suggested. I have objected to numerous quotes you have suggested because they promote rather shallow authoritarian, nihilistic or partisan perspectives. I acknowledge it is your proper right to suggest what you want, and many of your suggestions have been good ones, but it is also my own and other people's right to rank them what they want. Though I have pointed out that you more than any other regular editor seem to regularly rank quotes ranked highly by others with only a 1 or a 0, that too is your right. It is also your right to assert something extremely shallow like your statement that Calvin's assertion at the "It's a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy...Let's go exploring!" somehow "provokes no sympathy or thought whatsoever" and my right to assert that such a statement is absurd and nonsensical, as many of your arguments have seemed to me to be. It might not provoke much sympathy or thought in you, but I think it can provoke a great deal of sympathy and thought in many people. I would actually like to use more of the closing dialogue of that last comic strip, "Everything familiar has disappeared! The world looks brand-new!” “A new year.. a fresh, clean start! … A day full of possibilitiies” but believe that the final lines which were suggested are probably sufficient, and I don't wish to use too much of a single comic strip, even though the value of the cartoon is arguably not reduced even by quoting most of it. ~ Kalki 00:33, 30 December 2008 (UTC)
 * I won't deny my low ratings of some as you stated. But I believe that the quotation has to provoke thought and be of some moral value. I don't see the image of a fresh start as a notable quotation. But, I also agree that my suggestions are authoritarian. Authoritarianism is brilliance defined, charismatic and powerful. I wouldn't say partisan, maybe somewhat nihilistic to some degree...but then again...that's what I like and I hope that all forms of thought are explored and dogma dies because maintaining the random form of exploration-esque quotes are what I detest. Mainly, this quote is poor for two reasons. First, because people who aren't fans of Calvin and Hobbes might not like it...and second, because it seriously isn't thought-provoking. And should the quote provoke thought? I believe that yes. It should reaffirm a value of some time. The embarking on a journey or having a fresh start is as simple a thought as any. That's what makes this a weak quotation. And I have made many of my favorite suggestions from many movies, games, comics, etc. Ranging from Dragonball, to Batman, to Star Wars to anything in the middle. But you seem to dismiss many quotations on the grounds that they are "authoritarian". Well, authoritarianism incorporates a beauty in itself. People need to be open to all forms of sayings. It strikes close to the heart of nationalism. I feel the quotes need to be deep, very...very deep in meaning. The other quote you suggested from the same comic strip is better, "Everything familiar has disappeared!" although I'd still prefer to see something else... Zarbon 01:37, 30 December 2008 (UTC)


 * 3 InvisibleSun 22:25, 30 December 2008 (UTC) -->


 * 2009
 * The only way human beings can win a war is to prevent it. ~ George Marshall
 * proposed by Zarbon


 * 2010
 * At each stage I reach a balance, a conclusion. At the next sitting, if I find that there is a weakness in the whole, I make my way back into the picture by means of the weakness — I re-enter through the breach — and I reconceive the whole. Thus everything becomes fluid again. ~ Henri Matisse (born 31 December 1869)
 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2011
 * Military power wins battles, but spiritual power wins wars. ~ George Marshall
 * proposed by Zarbon


 * 2012


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2013


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2014


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2015


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2016


 * proposed by bystander


 * 2017


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2018


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2019


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2020


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2021


 * Initial portions of this proposed by Illegitimate Barrister


 * 2022


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2023 : Rank or add further suggestions…

Suggestions
There is no freedom without justice. ~ Simon Wiesenthal
 * There was a quotation by him in September, 2005 ~ MosheZadka (Talk) 08:55, 4 December 2005 (UTC)
 * 1 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 00:34, 31 December 2017 (UTC) Good quote, but this is a misattribution, in that it did not originate with his uses of it — it is still possibly usable with better sourcing. 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:34, 28 December 2013 (UTC) (it appears this IS his day of birth — don't know how I had missed this earlier) 1 Kalki 11:11, 30 December 2006 (UTC) Good quote, but no clear relation to the date.
 * 1 InvisibleSun 14:34, 30 December 2006 (UTC)
 * 0 Zarbon 21:00, 26 April 2008 (UTC)
 * 1 Lyle 18:35, 11 December 2008 (UTC)

For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll take a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne! ~ Robert Burns ~ (Traditional New Year's Eve song)
 * 1 Kalki 11:11, 30 December 2006 (UTC) 4 ~ Kalki 23:33, 29 December 2005 (UTC) Downgraded from 4 to 1 as a variant of this has already been used — last year... and which indicates to me I better start updating the date pages more regularly — one of my resolutions for the coming year... ~ Kalki 01:11, 31 December 2006 (UTC)
 * 1 InvisibleSun 14:34, 30 December 2006 (UTC)
 * 1 Zarbon 21:00, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

War is very uncertain in its results, and often when affairs look most desperate they suddenly assume a more hopeful state. ~ George Meade
 * 3 Zarbon 05:59, 11 December 2008 (UTC)
 * 1 Lyle 18:35, 11 December 2008 (UTC)
 * 3 Kalki 20:30, 11 December 2008 (UTC) with a lean toward 4.
 * 2 InvisibleSun 22:25, 30 December 2008 (UTC)

Never fear your enemies, fear your actions. ~ George Meade
 * 2 Zarbon 05:59, 11 December 2008 (UTC)
 * 3 Lyle 18:35, 11 December 2008 (UTC)
 * 0 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:36, 30 December 2015 (UTC) I cannot currently find any reliable sources for this attribution — I had intended to use it for QOTD, but cannot do so now. 4 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:30, 30 December 2015 (UTC) 3 Kalki 20:30, 11 December 2008 (UTC) with a very strong lean toward 4.

Nobody gets everything in this life. You decide your priorities and you make your choices. I'd decided long ago that any cake I had would be eaten. ~ Donald E. Westlake Two Much (recent death)
 * 3 bystander (talk) 19:43, 21 December 2012 (UTC)
 * 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 15:25, 23 December 2012 (UTC)


 * 2 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC)


 * 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC)


 * 2 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC)


 * 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC)


 * 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC)


 * 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC) with a lean toward 4.


 * 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC)


 * 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC)


 * 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC)


 * 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC)


 * 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC) with a very strong lean toward 4.


 * 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC) with a very strong lean toward 4.


 * 3 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:52, 30 December 2017 (UTC) with a very strong lean toward 4.


 * 4 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:36, 30 December 2023 (UTC) *3. – Illegitimate Barrister (talk • contribs) 21:18, 17 January 2018 (UTC)


 * 3. – Illegitimate Barrister (talk • contribs) 21:18, 17 January 2018 (UTC)
 * 2 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:58, 30 December 2021 (UTC) but with a strong lean toward 3 if extended for context to read:
 * The values of free expression and a reverence for the free press have been our global hallmark, for it is our ability to freely air the truth that keeps our government honest and keeps a people free. Between the mighty and the modest, truth is the great leveler. And so, respect for freedom of the press has always been one of our most important exports.


 * 2 ♞☤☮♌︎Kalki ⚚⚓︎⊙☳☶⚡ 23:58, 30 December 2021 (UTC), with a lean toward 3.