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In order to form an immaculate member of a flock of sheep one must,
above all, be a sheep. --Albert Einstein

XCVI



Some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness;

Some say thy grace is youth and gentle sport;

Both grace and faults are lov\'d of more and less:

Thou mak\'st faults graces that to thee resort.

As on the finger of a throned queen

The basest jewel will be well esteem\'d,

So are those errors that in thee are seen

To truths translated, and for true things deem\'d.

How many lambs might the stern wolf betray,

If like a lamb he could his looks translate!

How many gazers mightst thou lead away,

if thou wouldst use the strength of all thy state!

  But do not so; I love thee in such sort,

  As, thou being mine, mine is thy good report.

 	--William Shakespeare

Henry David Thoreau
Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not
only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of
mankind. With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have even lived
a more simple and meagre life than the poor.

LV



Not marble, nor the gilded monuments

Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme;

But you shall shine more bright in these contents

Than unswept stone, besmear\'d with sluttish time.

When wasteful war shall statues overturn,

And broils root out the work of masonry,

Nor Mars his sword, nor war\'s quick fire shall burn

The living record of your memory.

\'Gainst death, and all-oblivious enmity

Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room

Even in the eyes of all posterity

That wear this world out to the ending doom.

  So, till the judgment that yourself arise,

  You live in this, and dwell in lovers\' eyes.

 	--William Shakespeare