Enemies and Friends
During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln had
occasion at an official reception to refer to the Southerners rather as erring human beings
than as foes to be exterminated. An elderly lady,
a fiery patriot, rebuked him for speaking kindly
of his enemies when he ought to be thinking of
destroying them. “Why, madam,” said Lincoln,
“do I not destroy my enemies when I make them
my friends?” 

     -- Bartlett’s Book of Anecdotes

Character and Courage
The ultimate measure of a person is not where he or she stands in moments of comfort, but where the person stands at times of challenge and controversy. 
     -- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King

Native American View of Spring
I have come to terms with the future.
From this day onward I will walk
easy on the earth. Plant trees. Kill no
living things. Live in harmony with
all creatures. I will restore the earth
where I am. Use no more if its
resources than I need. And listen,
listen to what it is telling me.
     -- M. J. Slim Hooey

"Pure" Miracle
The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.
      -- Thich Nhat Hanh, expatriate Vietnamese
monk, teacher, author and peace activist, from Touching Peace