What are your favourite wise sayings and most important – why?

I've got a couple...

"Always remember that nothing is beautiful but Man, but most beautiful of ALL is Woman!!"

-The Codex Searus (AKA the Traditional Black Book of Satan)

It's a good one because it speaks to pride in our bodies, not revulsion or shame for them. "Man" is a reference to "Mankind", including both genders, thereby stating that both Men and Women are beautiful. However, "Woman" is a specific reference to Female Humans, putting them on an Unholy Pedastal for the beautiful, serene creatures they can be and often are. Maybe the quote came from a Pagan Satanic Writer or Practitioner, but I tend to get the feeling it came from Father Satan Himself (it'd make more sense to me, anyhow).

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger"

Surprisingly, that one ALSO came from the Codex Searus. Believe it or not, that quote originated with what we now know as Traditional Satanism, WAY back in the Pagan Times. It's true too. The tests of life and the things that wear on our souls tend to strengthen and improve us, just like a Guitarist goes through the aching, sore fingertips in his or her first months before they build up Calices, and can eventually play for HOURS without any discomfort.

"The mark of an immature man is, he looks with purpose for something to die nobly and honorably for. The mark of a mature man however, is that he seeks something to LIVE nobly and honorably for..."

I have no idea where that came from, I just remember hearing it and wholeheartedly agreeing back in my teenage years. But it's a good one for me because of my purpose, my job, all sorts of things about me. I live nobly and honorably as I can in service of Satanas, and I plan to KEEP living and serving Him as long as I'm able. Besides, why die for a cause when you can keep living and keep doing good here and now?

"This ride that takes me through life leads me into Darkness, but it merges with True Light. No one can ever slow me down, I'll stay unbound!!"

-M Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold, the song "Unbound")

That speaks volumes to my life. I'm betting it's also a Satanically Influenced Quote, seeing as many Satanists know that in Darkness, a surprising amount of things are illuminated, and as I was once told by another member of one of the Satanic Organizations I take part in, "It is in the Darkness of Satanas that we find the Light of Lucifer" ("Lucifer" translating to "Light Bearer"). A7X kicks @ss in general, but that song is overall one of my favorites of theirs.

Also, there's a couple from LaVey's Satanic Bible. These are a few examples from the Satanic Statements, which speak of what Satan represents. Even as a Traditional/Theistic Satanist believing in Satan as a God, I believe He's also symbolic of many things. While I don't agree with ALL the things LaVey says, he has some good points...

"Satan represents indulgence, not abstinence"

True enough. I say Satanas Luciferi is indeed representative of many things, and teaches many things, such as indulgence in the natural, carnal pleasures we were created to feel. To abstain from such natural practices is to miss out on an amazing experience, espescially if you have the option to engage in such acts with someone you genuinely love.

"Satan represents undefiled wisdom, not hypocritical self-deceit"

Hell yeah. As a Satanist, I constantly seek knowledge and new means to Personal Growth, and I refuse to hate myself. Resenting who we are is counterproductive, and I personally don't give a flying f*ck if "God" tells us to hate our bodies and who we are as "Sinners", I don't buy it.

"Satan Represents kindness to those who deserve it, not love wasted on ingrates"

On that one, I'm there 110%. Those who have treated me and the ones I love with respect, kindness, consideration and even love will always experience similar treatment. When someone has shown themselves as worthy, they see a very sweet, kind, generous and pleasant side of me. However, when someone treats me or someone I love poorly when the ones being victimized were undeserving, they can expect to see the exact opposite side of me.

"Satan represents vengeance, not turning the other cheek"

Words I live by. Some people believe that when we "turn the other cheek", we're rising above cruelty and mistreatment and "being the better person". However, I have witnessed that doing this only shows people that they CAN abuse you, and you won't do anything to stop them. It leads to an unhappy life as I learned when I was being raised Xian until 16 years old. I've found that in cases where I've stood up for myself and fought back, whether legally, personally, or with Magick and Ritual, those who have attacked and defamed me and my loved ones tend to back off and get that they're not fighting a battle they can win. It's not the happiest world we live in, but you've gotta get by somehow.

"Satan is the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years!"

Right on. If the "Church of God" didn't have their fictitious representation of Satanas and of Hell to scare people with, how would they maintain control of the masses? That's right, they couldn't. That's one of the reasons I always feel fortunate to have given Satanas, His Demons and Demonesses, and His ways a chance: I learned through both research and experience that if you treat them with respect, they are indeed loving, wise and benevolent Gods, just as they were defined by the Pagan Tribes at the Dawn of Humanity. I'd also reccomend anyone that reads this do some research into the original, Pagan defintion of Hell (AKA "Hel") if you haven't already. It's a huge reassurance after having spent half of one's life being taught all that "Fire and Brimstone" nonsense.

There's also one of my own...

"Nothing clears the fog away from blatant unwisdom like five minutes under the Societal Microscope"

It's an original quote of mine that I came up with while answering another question here. An example of this from my own life is, after spending a VERY short time researching True Satanism and the Left Hand Path, I found it was FAR from what people say about it. It was from there that my research continued, and I found a path and a way of life that fit me better than any other I've walked or practiced.

Those are a couple of my favorites. Yes they're mostly Satanic Quotes and Statements, but hey, even those of you who AREN'T Satanist may have learned something about us by reading them.

*Recreant - MAN are you ever Bible Fried. Where do you people get off teaching others that their free will only ever leads to Eternal Suffering? That's an ignorant, pretentious statement to make if I ever heard one. You might be surprised however, to find that Hell ain't such a bad place when you take a step outside the Vatican for a few minutes. And yeah, our free will gets us there, but given the original definition of Hell, that just shows that our free will and freedom of choice is a GOOD thing. That leads me to one final quote, another original of mine...

"Dude, don't fry your Brain ON the Bible, just fry the Bible!"

Ave Satanas!!!

-Valkyri

Here's a small handful. I think they're pretty self-evident.

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. -Buddha

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. -Buddha

It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways. -Buddha

After all is said and done, more is said than done. -Aesop

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger. -Confucius

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change. -Confucius

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." (Gandhi)

"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." (Stephen Roberts)

"There can be no Freedom of Religion without freedom FROM religion." (Anon)

Just some of my favorites. Why? Because they're how I think and feel.

Micah 6:8 - and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

I ain't superstitious,

When a black cat crosses my path

And I ain't superstitious

As I break the looking glass

Ain't afraid of no demons,

Don't make me laugh!

I ain't superstitious,

Under the ladder I go

And I ain't superstitious,

It's all bullshit, don't you know!

I ain't afraid of no shadows,

I like the dark anyway

And that's a fact! Ha!

"Men like the opinions to which they have become accustomed from their youth; they defend them and shun contrary views; and this is one of the things that prevent men from finding the truth, for they cling to the opinions of habit."-Moses Maimonides (1135-1204), The Guide for the Perplexed

you got to know when to hold'em know when to fold'em know when to walk away know when to run

you never count your money when your sitting with others there'll be time enough for counting when the game is done

words of wisdom to live by....life is a game and we are all the players

my fav:

"There is an element of good, in all things evil."

why?

Otherwise you could never be deceived. This reminds me to watch out for things that may seem good at first.

Don't take no wooden nickels. I think the reasoning behind it should be obvious to the most casual of observers.

an old Russian one, 'always walk with your beard over your shoulder.' Just imagine the number people who walked into trees.

"It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching" St. Francis of Assisi

"Where is your Calcutta?" Blessed Mother Theresa.

Just to name two.