From Wordsmith

One of my daily internet stops is A Word A Day from Wordsmith.  He picks a word, usually with a theme for the week, gives the pronunciation, derivation, and definition of the word.  Then the Wordsmith gives one or two quotes using the word.  He closes the page with a Thought for the Day.  The Thoughts are from a variety of sources and frequently are related to the news of the day.  His Thoughts for this week, in the wake of the government closure as a result of the radical right Republicans, were worth repeating.

Ultimately, the only power to which man should aspire is that which he exercises over himself. -Elie Wiesel, writer, Nobel laureate (b. 1928)

A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It is a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. -Jimmy Carter, 39th US President, Nobel laureate (b. 1924)

When I despair, I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love has always won. There have been murderers and tyrants, and for a time they can seem invincible. But in the end they always fall. Think of it, always. -Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948)

The corporate grip on opinion in the United States is one of the wonders of the Western world. No First World country has ever managed to eliminate so entirely from its media all objectivity -- much less dissent. -Gore Vidal, author (1925-2012)

Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use. -Emily Post, author and columnist (1872-1960)