A man can only attain knowledge with the help of those who possess it. This must be understood from the very beginning. One must learn from him who knows. – George Gurdjieff
Every ceremony or rite has a value if it is performed without alteration. A ceremony is a book in which a great deal is written. Anyone who understands can read it. One rite often contains more than a hundred books. – George Gurdjieff
Without struggle, no progress and no result. Every breaking of habit produces a change in the machine. – George Gurdjieff
Religion is doing a man does not merely think his religion or feel it, he lives his religion as much as he is able, otherwise it is not religion but fantasy or philosophy. – George Gurdjieff
The heavy rain beat down the tender branches of vine and jessamine, and trampled on them in its fury; and when the lightning gleamed, it showed the tearful leaves shivering and cowering together at the window, and tapping at it urgently, as if beseeching to be sheltered from the dismal night. – Charles Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit, Chapter XLIII