OK, so here we are again with this month’s collection of recently encountered, interesting and/or amusing quotes.

The image of Time brought thoughts of mortality: of human beings, facing outward like the Seasons, moving hand in hand in intricate measure, stepping slowly, methodically, sometimes a trifle awkwardly, in evolutions that take recognizable shape: or breaking into seemingly meaningless gyrations, while partners disappear only to reappear again, once more giving pattern to the spectacle: unable to control the melody, unable, perhaps, to control the steps of the dance.
[Anthony Powell; A Question of Upbringing]

True freedom is being without anxiety about imperfection.
[Sengchen; 6th century Chinese Zen master]

When you work hard to make your relationship work and stay together for a long time, then you each become the person you were meant to be with.
[Haemin Sunim; Korean Buddhist monk]

You’re fine just as you are but you could use little improvement.
[Sunryu Suzuki]

Woodcutters and fishermen know just how to use things. What would they do with fancy chairs and meditation platforms? In straw sandals and with a bamboo staff, I roam three thousand worlds, dwelling by the water, feasting on the wind, year after year.
[Ikkyu]

Sometimes all we need is a hug to make us realise that everything will soon be alright.

If people bought no more books than they intended to read, and no more swords than they intended to use, the two worst trades in Europe would be a bookseller’s and a sword-cutler’s; but luckily for both they are reckoned genteel ornaments.
[Lord Chesterfield]

Many of us haven’t owned a nice box of coloured pencils since we were children. Yet no adult should be without one, because having a range of colours at our fingertips provides a route to a wide array of moods and inspirations. This box knows that colours are connected to the chords of our souls. It includes a booklet about the psychology behind twelve shades, explaining how each of these colours links us to specific memories and feelings.
[From Twitter, apparently from a box of coloured pencils]

There was an old woman from Slough
Who developed a terrible cough
So, she drank half a pint
Of warm honey and mint
But, sadly, she didn’t pull through.
[Seen on Facebook]

Light is known to be fuzzy at the quantum level. With the help of a team in Australia, researchers are sharpening the light by squeezing the fuzziness.
[From https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-47213202]