I have never been a big believer in grand quotes that summed up everything. Every situation has it's own context, and even the best quote will only cover some parts of a complicated situation. But one quote have been with me ever since I saw it for the first time in 1986 (thanks Lester, best history teacher ever - RIP), and it is this one “It is dangerous to make man aware of his likeness with the animals, without also showing him superiority. Even so, it can be dangerous to show him superiority without showing him inferiority, yet even more dangerous to be ignorant of both.”(Pascal)

I think there is a lot of truth in that message, exactly because it does not pretend to have a clear message; sometimes be aware humans are horrible and not to be trusted, sometime be aware that after all we are noble beings with abstraction levels way beyond snails, gobbles and orangutans that can make the most fantastic creations that spreads happiness etc., etc. And the best part is, that it is not always clear when we are having what role. Uh, how complicated it all is - better get back to some real work! For more Pascal quotes check here, and if enjoy that kind of stuff, you should of course also check out one of the other great masters of quotes, dear Churchill.