Many Japanese painters and calligraphers would change their names intentionally to keep their relationship to the art always fresh. This way others' expectations can be avoided.

President Obama has basically avoided or not done any attempt to intervene in any positive way in the housing market. I think in the financial crisis that's been a shame.

Wars are of course as a rule to be avoided but they are far better than certain kinds of peace.

Aristotle could have avoided the mistake of thinking that women have fewer teeth than men by the simple device of asking Mrs. Aristotle to keep her mouth open while he counted.

Appealing workplaces are to be avoided. One wants a room with no view so imagination can meet memory in the dark.

Destiny is something not be to desired and not to be avoided. a mystery not contrary to reason for it implies that the world and the course of human history have meaning.

History is the sum total of things that could have been avoided.

Happiness is composed of misfortunes avoided.

There is a great deal of pain in life and perhaps the only pain that can be avoided is the pain that comes from trying to avoid pain.

Fear nothing but what thy industry may prevent be confident of nothing but what fortune cannot defeat it is no less folly to fear what is impossible to be avoided than to be secure when there is a possibility to be deprived.