When you see a man led to prison say in your heart, "Mayhap he is escaping from a narrower prison." And when you see a man drunken say in your heart, "Mayhap he sought escape from something still more unbeautiful." 


Kahlil Gibran, poet and artist (1883-1931)

///\\\

The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it. 


John Locke, philosopher (1632-1704) 

\\\///

It is not so much our friends' help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us. 


Epicurus, philosopher (c. 341-270 BCE)