May 20

May 20 Quotes of the day from previous years:


 * 2004
 * No theory, no ready-made system, no book that has ever been written will save the world. I cleave to no system. I am a true seeker. ~ Mikhail Bakunin
 * selected by Kalki


 * 2005
 * If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind. ~ John Stuart Mill (born 20 May 1806)
 * selected by Kalki


 * 2006
 * Love is like some fresh spring, first a stream and then a river, changing its aspect and its nature as it flows to plunge itself in some boundless ocean, where restricted natures only find monotony, but where great souls are engulfed in endless contemplation. ~ Honoré de Balzac (born 20 May 1799)
 * selected by Kalki


 * 2007
 * The prevailing tendency to regard all the marked distinctions of human character as innate, and in the main indelible, and to ignore the irresistible proofs that by far the greater part of those differences, whether between individuals, races, or sexes, are such as not only might but naturally would be produced by differences in circumstances, is one of the chief hindrances to the rational treatment of great social questions, and one of the greatest stumbling blocks to human improvement. ~ John Stuart Mill
 * proposed by InvisibleSun


 * 2008
 * The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error. ~ John Stuart Mill
 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2009
 * However unwillingly a person who has a strong opinion may admit the possibility that his opinion may be false, he ought to be moved by the consideration that, however true it may be, if it is not fully, frequently, and fearlessly discussed, it will be held as a dead dogma, not a living truth. ~ John Stuart Mill
 * proposed by InvisibleSun


 * 2010
 * The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil, in case he do otherwise. ~ John Stuart Mill
 * proposed by InvisibleSun


 * 2011
 * Kindness is not without its rocks ahead. People are apt to put it down to an easy temper and seldom recognize it as the secret striving of a generous nature; whilst, on the other hand, the ill-natured get credit for all the evil they refrain from. ~ Honoré de Balzac
 * proposed by InvisibleSun


 * 2012
 * proposed by InvisibleSun
 * proposed by InvisibleSun


 * 2013


 * proposed by InvisibleSun


 * 2014
 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2015


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2016


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2017


 * proposed by InvisibleSun


 * 2018


 * proposed by InvisibleSun


 * 2019


 * proposed by InvisibleSun


 * 2020


 * proposed by dibbydib


 * 2021


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2022


 * proposed by InvisibleSun


 * 2023


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2024


 * proposed by Kalki


 * 2025 : Rank or add further suggestions…

Quotes by people born this day, already used as QOTD:


 * Truth gains more even by the errors of one who, with due study and preparation, thinks for himself, than by the true opinions of those who only hold them because they do not suffer themselves to think. ~ John Stuart Mill
 * used on 1 March 2004. selected by Kalki

Suggestions
There is something great and terrible about suicide. ~ Honoré de Balzac
 * 3 because in death comes the terror and the tragedy, but in accepting and approaching the demise comes a grandeur of sort. The moments can be described as terrible and great all at the same time. It's one of the major reasons why I love many of the characters I love, because their demise, whether in suicide or homicide, is made magnificently brilliant, a concoction of emotion and sheer bitter power expressed through final moments. Zarbon 00:03, 3 May 2008 (UTC)
 * 2 InvisibleSun 06:19, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
 * 1 Kalki 00:18, 19 May 2008 (UTC)
 * 1 Without context, it is meaningless and even sounds offensive POV. As a widow of suicidal dead husband, I feel quite disgusted. --Aphaia 10:40, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

We have no solution, you shall continue to live like dogs, and whoever wishes may leave, and we will see where this process leads. ~ Moshe Dayan (born May 20)
 * 3 because the truth is sometimes the best remedy. Zarbon 04:56, 17 May 2008 (UTC)
 * 0 See the discussion page for Dayan about this continually disputed quote. It was moved from Attributed to Sourced by an editor in March 2008. It will likely be moved, deleted and restored many more times. Even without its doubtful verification, I wouldn't be inclined to vote for it. InvisibleSun 06:19, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Source: Fateful Triangle: The United States, Israel, and the Palestinians - Page 561 - Noam Chomsky - Political Science - 1999
 * Comment: Now it is sourced so you can repeat your vote. Zarbon 21:37, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
 * This, however, is the very source that's endlessly disputed; see the discussion page on Dayan for the reasons. Even if there were more of an agreement on the source, I would end up giving it a 1. InvisibleSun 02:21, 19 May 2008 (UTC)


 * 1 Kalki 00:18, 19 May 2008 (UTC)
 * 1 Aphaia 10:40, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

I know of nothing more exciting than war. ~ Moshe Dayan

OR

War is the most exciting and dramatic thing in life. In fighting to the death you feel terribly relaxed when you manage to come through. ~ Moshe Dayan
 * 2 and I agree with Dayan here. The amount of excitement is unparalleled, regardless of all the horrid pain and suffering, it is true that war is never ever dull. Zarbon 04:56, 17 May 2008 (UTC)
 * 0 This is an Unsourced quote. InvisibleSun 06:19, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
 * SOURCE: The Book of Military Quotations - Peter G. Tsouras - Reference - 2005 - Page 477
 * Comment: Now it is sourced so you can repeat your vote. Zarbon 21:37, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Then it's a 2 for the second version. InvisibleSun 02:21, 19 May 2008 (UTC)


 * 1 Kalki 00:18, 19 May 2008 (UTC)