signs of civilization

It is not civilized to want other people to believe what you believe because the essence of being civilized is to possess yourself as you are, and if you possess yourself as you are you of course cannot possess anyone else, it is none of your business.

Gertrude Stein in Paris, France.

you never do know

Life is funny that way
It is always funny that way
The ones that naturally should offer
Do not
And those who have no reason
To offer it, do

You never know
You never do know
Where your good fortune
Is to come from

~ Gertrude Stein