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Love is something that if you give it away, you end up having more.

Malvina Reynolds

American singer-songwriter Malvina Reynolds believed that love should be so common and plentiful that it’s like a penny — passed back and forth between strangers and always easy to find. In her campy 1955 folk song “Love Is Something (Magic Penny),” the San Francisco native calls on us to show kindness in our daily interactions with others. Referring to love as the true “treasure” of life, Reynolds reminds us that acts of love rarely go wasted. “Hold it tight and you won't have any,” she sings. “Lend it, spend it, and you'll have so many.”

If you believe you're a success, crikey, I should think it will come up and get you by the... tail.

Judi Dench

Ophelia. Queen Elizabeth I. Queen Victoria. M. These are just a few of the iconic characters Dame Judi Dench has portrayed on screen and onstage, to great acclaim and many awards. Success has certainly not eluded her, but her colorful words here are a warning to stay humble. Despite her many accolades, she’s never been considered a prima donna or difficult to work with; no torrid stories follow her from set to set. Here, one of Britain’s greatest actors shares her thoughts on keeping one’s head — and not letting fame, ego, or riches blind us to who we are.

Imagine living life so carefully that there are no signs you lived at all.

Raven Leilani

It’s safe to say that most people want to leave some kind of mark on the world, or the people in it. And while there may not be one clear-cut way to do that, according to author Raven Leilani, one way not to do it is by playing it safe. In her debut 2020 novel "Luster," Leilani explores the themes of burgeoning adulthood, making it on your own, and self-actualization through the lens of a young Black woman. There are parallels to the author’s life and the character she’s sketched in "Luster," primarily the theme of following your dreams and having the courage to take risks. The line above warns against living too cautiously, and is reminiscent of this well-known maxim: It’s better to regret the things you did than the things you didn’t do.

Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.

Simone Weil

French philosopher Simone Weil paid close attention to the world around her, even from a young age: At five years old, during World War I, she refused sugar because French soldiers at the front didn’t have access to it. She went on to study and teach philosophy, and became a prolific social activist: In addition to attending numerous protests and writing for leftist publications, she became a member of the French Resistance during World War II. Her words remind us that when we give our attention to something or someone, we are giving one of the most precious parts of ourselves.

There is no deeper desire than the desire of being revealed.

Kahlil Gibran

Lebanese writer Kahlil Gibran is known for his deeply expressive poetry. Though his 1923 novel “The Prophet” is his most commercially successful work, his poetry remains some of his most-quoted, touching on themes from love and religion to loneliness and sorrow. Here, he encourages us to move toward vulnerability: By opening up and letting others see who we are, we invite the rich connections and deep relationships that make life fulfilling.

A good friend is a connection to life — a tie to the past, a road to the future.

Lois Wyse

Lois Wyse was a prolific advertising executive in the mid-20th century, with several well-known slogans under her belt, including the famous catchphrase, "With a name like Smucker's, it has to be good." Among the more than 65 books she authored is the 1995 title “Women Make the Best Friends,” in which Wyse gathers observations and stories about the importance and joy of close friendships. Her words here push us to see our friendships not as fleeting connections, but as beacons of stability and joy amid life’s tumultuous changes.

I believe that one defines oneself by reinvention… To be yourself. To cut yourself out of stone.

Henry Rollins

To iconic punk artist Henry Rollins, being stagnant and unimaginative is among the biggest transgressions one can make in life. From his time as the frontman for the pioneering hard-core band Black Flag, to his work as a vocal advocate for social change, Rollins is constantly challenging himself and others to break the mold. As a musician, poet, radio host, and actor, he is known for his passion, intensity, and refusal to stop creating. With these words from his 1997 collection of writing, “The Portable Henry Rollins,” Rollins challenges us to travel down life’s unbeaten paths, do things our own way, and embrace the qualities that make us unique.

I'd rather live with a tender heart, because that is the key to feeling the beat of all of the other hearts.

Jenny Slate

When actress, comedian, and author Jenny Slate sat down to write her essay book "Little Weirds," she leaned away from the comedic tones she’s known for on screen and focused instead on family and relationships. The book was published in 2019 and became a phenomenon for lines like this one, that stress the importance of community in finding oneself. A tender heart is the key to unlocking empathy, and only when we are vulnerable and open to the wishes of others can we find a sense of purpose, belonging, and solidarity in society.

It always seems impossible until it's done.

Nelson Mandela

As the first Black president of South Africa and a lifelong anti-apartheid activist, Nelson Mandela faced more than his share of seemingly impossible challenges. Over his lifetime, he spent a total of 27 years in prison for fighting against the country’s institutionalized racial oppression. In 1993, he won the Nobel Peace Prize, and was sworn in as president of South Africa only a year later. Here, he encourages us to keep pushing toward our goals, even when we are discouraged: That determination can often trigger the turning point we’ve been waiting for.

You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming.

Pablo Neruda

Pablo Neruda, born in Chile in 1904 as Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto, is generally considered the greatest Spanish-language poet of his time. Though he is often remembered for his exquisite love poems, his later work was deeply political. After he was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 1971, his heartfelt acceptance speech explored the connection between poetry and politics. Given his passion for social justice, this quote is generally understood as an encouraging nod to revolutionaries the world over.