The lesson of the story might appear to be that self-interested and ambitious people in power are often the cause of wastefulness in developing countries. But self-interested and ambitious people are in positions of power, great and small, all over the world. In many places, they are restrained by the law, the press, and democratic opposition. Cameroon's tragedy is that there is nothing to hold self-interest in check. -- Tim Harford

It’s hard to grasp abstractions if you don’t understand what they’re abstracting away from. -- Nathan Weizenbaum

Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies, The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. -- C.S. Lewis

Courage is grace under pressure. -- Ernest Hemingway

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. -- Sherlock Holmes

Remember: you are alone. Every time you can get help from someone, it is an opportunity: you should eagerly size it. But then, promptly return to normal mode: you are alone and you must be prepared to solve every problem yourself. -- Eric KEDJI

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. –Henry Ford

Trust because you are willing to accept the risk, not because it’s safe or certain. ~Anonymous

It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. –Abraham Lincoln

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. –Lao Tzu