Wow, I hadn't read this before. It will certainly become part of me. Love is the quality that is superior to all others; it is the master of the Universe; it is without doubt the only weapon we have against WAR.

Great quote, though Einstein would also have added "Imagination" - if only America would take heed. Gore has more ethics in his little finger than Bush and his current and past administration put together. If the Presidency wasn't stolen from Gore this country would still be the envy of the world. Obviously you were referring to Bush with regards to your name calling...

Yes, away from fundamentalism and government dictates

No matter what he wrote I give him five - This verse on love is beautiful: "I have sought love, first, because it brings ecstasy -- ecstasy so great that I would often have sacrificed all the rest of life for a few hours of this joy. I have sought it, next, because it relieves loneliness -- that terrible loneliness in which one shivering consciousness looks over the rim of the world into the cold unfathomable lifeless abyss. I have sought it, finally, because in the union of love I have seen, in a mystic miniature, the prefiguring vision of the heaven that saints and poets have imagined. This is what I sought, and though it might seem too good for human life, this is what -- at last -- I have found." -- Bertrand Russell. As today will be my last retort this year I wish you and everyone A Very Happy and Healthy New Year - May 2008 bring you love, peace, and happiness.

Archer did you say that?

I thought Canada is a socialist state and France a Republic

Excellent! from the home to global politics it is the same...

Those who hate don't mind being loved for what they are not

and... What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness? Jean Jacques Rousseau

"War in Love" it goes perfectly with the previous quote.

Wow! Love is unconquerable - it is the tear that befalls the mightiest

Right on Reston - why ruin a perfectly good quote with political rhetoric... Occasionally history has provided benevolent dictators but they are few in number.

Yes, again!

Sorry, yes Archer you are correct - Editor, please disregard my earlier rating - from now on I will rate the quote not the author. Thank you, Robert

Where there is Gods there is War - where there is Love there is Peace. Here is a challenge for all Americans: Go into Mexico or any other country, including Iraq or Afghanistan and start helping them build hospitals and schools, help children to become literate, help provide local communities with the knowledge to sustain themselves, help to provide food and medical services to the poor and disabled. Let’s stop the rhetoric “we are the best” and just get on with helping others in need – the power of reward is far greater than the gift. And, just perhaps, tolerance of each others cultures may reign. Lasting peace is brought about by the people, not politicians or war. We will only attain peace when the spirit of the warrior refuses to fight for reasons of power, greed, and monopoly; when individuals become educated, compassionate, and tolerant. Wars are fueled by the fire of nationalism, ignorance and hatred. Man’s second leap into this world may never have the chance to materialize unless we start again to nurture the flames of enlightenment, kindness and self understanding. Good, I got that off my chest…

The same sentiment written in the Upanishads about 650 BC - alas we do not practice what we preach...

I agree with the sentiment 100 percent. The same sentiment has been quoted by many other sources, including the Vedas Credit should go to humanity and no single source. Rising from the dea after three days is also atributed to other Gods

The blind leading the blind...

Such hypocrisy - a terrible fairy tale that has caused nothing but horror and misery. Our founding Fathers understood and wrote into the Constitution a secular philosophy - alas we do not believe in our own making. Take care all and have a wonderful Holiday - It was a pagan festival long before 2000 years ago - it is also the festival of 23 other Gods. The 25th day of December was chosen for very good reason - it was the day the Sun (Son) returned. Hypocrisy

Oh! dear.................

Good point Ken, though in the instructions the wise man also provides warnings

The rewards of honesty are tenfold over those of dishonesty.

Russell could have written this. Excellent!

He was also an historian and like so many other historians of his time they recorded the lives of famous persons and not so famous leaders, but there is one person that most did not chronicle...

God, I am afraid, has no wisdom, if he/she/it did we wouldn't be here, Try being obedient to you own beliefs and your own values - it is this mentality that breeds contempt and hatred - if there is a God It needs to hear the screams and anguish of pious cruelty and indifference. The carnage that humans have suffered under the banner of a God is abominable – Wisdom comes from forgiveness and there is no forgiveness for those who are not believers – that alone is enough to send any intelligent being for the door. From Abraham and the first Crusade to the religious wars of today there has been nothing but suffering. As James A. Haught said ‘Intense beliefs produce intense hostility. Only when faith loses its force can a society hope to become humane’. The history of the Church is nothing but horror – we are entering again into a dark and forbidding future. If you wish to preach love and forgiveness start by being compassionate to all sentient beings, then, and only then, may you live in harmony and hope to fulfill your mission as a member of the human race.