Quotes and Readings of the Day

Deuteronomy 32:40-32:52

Lo, I raise My hand to heaven
And say: As I live forever,
When I whet My flashing blade
And My hand lays hold on judgment,
Vengeance will I wreak on My foes,
Will I deal to those who reject Me.
I will make My arrows drunk with blood--
As My sword devours flesh--
Blood of the slain and the captive
From the long-haired enemy chiefs.
O nations, acclaim His people!
For He'll avenge the blood of His servants,
Wreak vengeance on His foes,
And cleanse the land of His people.

Moses came, together with Hosea son of Nun, and recited all the words of this poem in the hearing of the people.

And when Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, he said to them: Take to heart all the words with which I have warned you this day. Enjoin them upon your children, that they may observe faithfully all the terms of this Teaching. For this is not a trifling thing for you: it is your very life; through it you shall long endure on the land that you are to possess upon crossing the Jordan.

That very day the Lord spoke to Moses: Ascend these heights of Abarim to Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab facing Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving the Israelites as their holding. You shall die on the mountain that you are about to ascend, and shall be gathered to your kin, as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his kin; for you both broke faith with Me among the Israelite people, at the waters of Meribath-kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, by failing to uphold My sanctity among the Israelite people. You may view the land from a distance, but you shall not enter it--the land that I am giving to the Israelite people.

From Parshat Haazinu. From THE TANAKH: The New JPS Translation According to the Traditional Hebrew Text. Copyright 1985 by the Jewish Publication Society. Used by permission.

TAGS: Torah, Torah Reading, Judaism, Deuteronomy

For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us entreat the Lord.

-Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church

From the book, An Angel a Day by Margaret Neylon. © Margaret Neylon 2003. Published by arrangement with Thorsons / Element.

TAGS: Angel Quote, Angels, Peace, Faithful Guide, Guide, Faithful, Angel, Guardia, Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church

Of all the medicines in the world Myriad and various There is none like the medicine of Truth Therefore, O followers, drink of this.

-Dhammpada

From "Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.

TAGS: Buddhism, Buddhist Quote, Medicine, Myriad, World

Everything's in the mind. That's where it all starts. Knowing what you want is the first step toward getting it.

-Mae West

TAGS: Entertainment Quote, Celebrities, Everythings, Thats, Spiritual, Celebrity Spirituality, Entertainment, Motivational Quote, Motivation

You know the value of prayer: it is precious beyond all price. Never, never neglect it.

-Sir Thomas Buxton

TAGS: Bible, Christian Quote, Christianity

Bundle up! Turning your thermostat down just two degrees in the winter will save you fifty dollars on energy bills. You probably won't notice the difference, but if you do, try a cozy sweater or hanging out by the fireplace instead.

TAGS: Eco Tips

It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not.

-James Gordon, M.D.

TAGS: Health Quote

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.

-George Washington

TAGS: Evangelical, Evangelical Quote, Christianity

I used to wake up at 4 A.M. and start sneezing, sometimes for five hours. I tried to find out what sort of allergy I had but finally came to the conclusion that it must be an allergy to consciousness.

-James Thurber

TAGS: Health Quote

Those who dwell on and long for sense-pleasure Are born in a world of separateness. But let them realize they are the Self And all separateness will fall away.

Mundaka Upanishad

From "Teachings of the Hindu Mystics," © 2001 by Andrew Harvey. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.

TAGS: Hinduism, Hindu Quote

So you're the kind of vegetarian that only eats roses.

-Leonard Cohen

TAGS: Glow, Holistic Living Quote, Spirituality, Holistic Living

Imagination was given to us to compensate for what we are not; a sense of humor was given to us to console us for what we are.

-Mark McGinnis

TAGS: Inspiration Quote, Imagination, Mark Mcginnis

If only truth and justice were the rule, there would be no need for mercy.

-Mendele, "Di Kliatshe"

Reprinted with permission from 'A Treasury of Jewish Quotations,' edited by Joseph L. Baron, Jason Aronson Inc.

TAGS: Judaism, Jewish Quote

He wept when they appointed him judge. The deputy asked, “Why do [you] cry? This is the time to rejoice.” “How can I who does not know decide between two who know?” “Accept no bribe,” the deputy said. “Then you will know. Do not give in to desire; it will make you blind. Since I turned from vain desires, my heart has become like a mirror bright. It recognizes truth from untruth.”

-Rumi, “Mathnawi,” 2:2744-46, 2753-55

From "The Bounty of Allah," translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed. Copyright 1999. All rights reserved. Used with permission of The Crossroad Publishing Company, New York.

TAGS: Islam, Muslim Quote, Muslim

Instead of focusing on how hard something is about to be, try to see joy in the process. Look on the bright side. For example: If you’re worried about eating too much at dinner, and losing self-control, focus on "quality, not quantity." Have just one or two bites of each thing, and limit the total amount you eat (including desserts) to fit on just one plate. If you’re dreading something, you can often find useful perspective on whatever is worrying you by focusing on the larger meaning of your life. Instead of thinking about petty, materialistic desires, or worries about people or events, read a passage from the Bible, or another sacred text, about spiritual birth and renewal. Accept with grace, anything you get or do. If you’re fretting over work that needs to be done, try this: Whistle while you work. Put on music, enlist everyone present, and make the whole thing a joyous work party. Most of all, spend "quality" time together with friends and family. Talk about what’s really meaningful and important to you. Take time to carefully listen to everyone else.

-Norris Chumley

TAGS: Weight Loss

He who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.

TAGS: Relationships, Relationship Quotes, Kindness