With more than 1,000 quotations from over 500 spiritual masters, world leaders, writers, artists, and poets from every time, place, and faith, this vast compendium offers endless insight and inspiration.History's wisest men and women from Aristotle and Confucius to Shakespeare and Desmond Tutu offer memorable reflections on such topics as joy and despair, enlightenment, love, and nature. And because the editors visited obscure archives across the globe, this collection goes well beyond the familiar names and sources. Organized thematically into more than forty subjects, this elegant volume lists quotations chronologically, making it easy for readers to find what they're looking for.