Welcome, O life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race.

James Joyce · The source reads: “Welcome, O life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race. April 27. Old father, old artificer, stand me now and ever in good stead.” · A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916), ch. 5, concluding words of Stephen Dedalus

The artist, like the God of the creation, remains within or behind or beyond or above his handiwork, invisible, refined out of existence, indifferent, paring his fingernails.

James Joyce · A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916), ch. 5

Shakespeare is the happy hunting ground of all minds that have lost their balance.

James Joyce · Ulysses (1922)

Riverrun, past Eve and Adam's, from swerve of shore to bend of bay, brings us by a commodius vicus of recirculation back to Howth Castle and Environs.

James Joyce · Finnegans Wake (1939), opening

Was it worth it? The struggle, the labour, the constant rush of affairs, the sacrifice of so many things that make life easy, or pleasant— for what? A people’s good!

Winston Churchill · Savrola (1899), his only novel

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

The Bible · John 9:4

If our purpose is delayed, if we are confronted by obstacles and inertia, we may still be of good cheer, because in a cause, the righteousness of which will be proclaimed by the march of future events and the judgment of happier ages, we shall have done our duty, we shall have done our best.

Winston Churchill · Royal Albert Hall, London, 14 May 1947

“Welcome, O life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race.”

“The artist, like the God of the creation, remains within or behind or beyond or above his handiwork, invisible, refined out of existence, indifferent, paring his fingernails.”

“Shakespeare is the happy hunting ground of all minds that have lost their balance.”

“Riverrun, past Eve and Adam's, from swerve of shore to bend of bay, brings us by a commodius vicus of recirculation back to Howth Castle and Environs.”

“Was it worth it? The struggle, the labour, the constant rush of affairs, the sacrifice of so many things that make life easy, or pleasant— for what? A people’s good!”

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

“If our purpose is delayed, if we are confronted by obstacles and inertia, we may still be of good cheer, because in a cause, the righteousness of which will be proclaimed by the march of future events and the judgment of happier ages, we shall have done our duty, we shall have done our best.”

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