Inclination

Famous quotes containing the word inclination:

    Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.
    Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971)

    O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven;
    It hath the primal eldest curse upon ‘t,
    A brother’s murder. Pray can I not,
    Though inclination be as sharp as will;
    My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent,
    And like a man to double business bound
    I stand in pause where I shall first begin,
    And both neglect. What if this cursed hand
    Were thicker than itself with brother’s blood,
    Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens
    To wash it white as snow?
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    It is said that truth comes from the mouths of fools and children: I wish every good mind which feels an inclination for satire would reflect that the finest satirist always has something of both in him.
    —G.C. (Georg Christoph)