"Little as we know about the way in which we are affected by form, by colour, and light, we do know this, that they have an actual physical effect. Variety of form and brilliancy of colour are actual means of recovery."
–– Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), English social reformer, statistician, and founder of modern nursing
"A wound is the place where the Light enters you."
–– Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī (1207-1273), Persian poet and Sufi mystic; interpretation by Coleman Barks (b. 1937), American poet
Source: Ausma Zehanat Khan. Among the Ruins. New York: Minotaur Books, 2017; p. 21.
via: Aboveground Art Supplies Knapsack Sketchbook 2020, 2024, p. 40.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? ... Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."
–– Nelson Mandela (1918-2013), South African anti-apartheid activist, politician, South Africa's first Black president (1994-1999), winner of the Nobel Peace Prize 1993
Source: Nelson Mandela 1994 inaugural speech, South Africa
via: Commonplace Book 1999-2001, 2002.
"Be as light as a bird, not as a feather."
–– Italo Calvino (1923-1985), Cuban-born Italian author and journalist
via: Commonplace Book 1999-2001, 2002.
"Beauty lies not in objects, but in the interaction between the shadow and the light created by objects."
– Jun'ichirō Tanizaki (1886-1965), Japanese Author
Source: In Praise of Shadows, 1933.
via: Sketchbook 22, 2013, p. 46.
"What is to give light must endure burning."
–– Viktor Frankl (1905-1997), Austrian psychiatrist and writer
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
–– Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), American Baptist minister and civil rights activist
From A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches
