Words are already beautiful when they stand alone, yet the effect gets a hundred times stronger when they line up and form certain sentences. Here go several quoted ideas that deserve a big win!

“When a language is lost—meaning no living person can teach another—a world perspective is lost. Some foreign language expressions simply cannot be translated. Colloquial phrases are pleasant to the ear, not only because they are familiar, but also because they reflect a unique aspect of a culture. … There are 50 different words that mean ‘snow’ in Canadian native language, and in the Eastern Arrerntre language of Central Australia the word nyimpe translates to ‘the smell of rain’.” —The Exodus of Language, Jessica Kwik (1998)

“Menarik lho! Misalnya, dalam bahasa Jepang untuk mengatakan hujan ada banyak kata, shigure, samidare, dan tsuyu.. Sementara dalam bahasa Inggris hanya ada rain. Tapi sebaliknya, domba dan anak domba dalam bahasa Inggris dibedakan menjadi sheep dan lamb. Bahasa Cina, kuda yang hitam disebut Han dan yang dahinya putih disebut Di. Dengan kata lain, hal yang penting dalam kehidupannya dan cara berpikir orang-orang yang menggunakan itu, terungkap dalam kata-kata..” —QED #6, Sou Yu (who sounds a lot like the SMA-me)

“I don’t write for readers; I don’t think many writers do–I don’t think any, They say they do, don’t they? But…well, I only write for myself, and when somebody says: “Oh, your book has given me so much pleasure,” I just think, “How peculiar.” I don’t know what to say. Of course I don’t say that; I smile and say “How nice.” –but I think I’d have written books whether they were published or not. I just liked writing.” —Beryl Bainbridge

“A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man’s mind can get both provocation and privacy.” —Edward P. Morgan