The common idea that success spoils people by making them vain, egotistic and self-complacent is erroneous; on the contrary it makes them, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind. W. Somerset Maugham
Not that she objected to solitude. Quite the contrary. She had books, thank Heaven, quantities of books. All sorts of books. Jean Rhys
A handful of men, inured to war, proceed to certain victory, while on the contrary numerous armies of raw and undisciplined troops are but multitudes of men dragged to slaughter. Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus
Do not say things. What you are stands over you the while, and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Life and mind are continuously in conflict with each other. I want happiness, security. I won't reach that by considerations of my mind; on the contrary they will lead to a certain despair of the inner person. Not what he thinks engages the artist, but what he feels. Bram van Velde
Beauty is rarely soft or consolatory. Quite the contrary. Genuine beauty is always quite alarming. Donna Tartt