Sun, African Proverb

The sun is the king of torches.

- West African proverb

West African proverb, quoted in Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages : Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically (1887) by Robert Christy, p. 322

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/African_proverbs
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Category:Proverbs

Vocation, Book of Isaiah

Yet just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
And do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
Giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,

So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me empty,
but shall do what pleases me,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

+ The Book of Isaiah 55,10-11

http://www.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/55

Winter, William Shakespeare

Blow, blow, thou winter wind. Thou art not so unkind, As man's ingratitude.

- William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Japan, Qin Gang (秦剛)

The essence of Japanese leaders' visits to the Yasukuni shrine is to beautify Japan's history of militaristic aggression and colonial rule. It is an attempt to overturn international society's just ruling on Japan's militarism and to challenge the results of World War II and the post-war international order.

- Qin Gang (秦剛), Beijing's foreign ministry spokesman, immediately after Abe's visit to the shrine (
Dec 26, 2013)

Winter, Anne Bradstreet

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

- Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)

Advice, Mark

The Mustard Seed

It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.

+ Gospel of Mark 4,31-32

http://www.usccb.org/bible/mark/4

Salvation, Psalms

For you are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.

- Psalms (Chapter 31), Old Testament, Bible

http://www.nccbuscc.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/