Vladimir Nabokov - Josh Billings - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine TV - Robert Baden-Powell - Billy Graham - Mae West - Sun Tzu - Aristotle - Marcus Aurelius - Charles Dickens - Samuel Johnson - The Sopranos TV -
Life is a great surprise. I do not see why death should not be an even greater one. Vladimir Nabokov, Pale Fire 1962
There is no greater evidence of superior intelligence than to be surprised at nothing. Josh Billings
I’ve brought back a little surprise for the Dominion. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine s3e1: The Search I, Sisko to Kira
A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens. Robert Baden-Powell
Growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life. Billy Graham
Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often. Mae West
Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment – that which they cannot anticipate. Sun Tzu, The Art of War
The secret to humour is surprise. Aristotle
How ridiculous and how strange to be surprised at anything which happens in life. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
I know enough of the world now to have almost lost the capacity of being much surprised by anything. Charles Dickens, David Copperfield
Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks. Samuel Johnson, The Idler
At our age it’s enough surprise every day when we get up in the morning, right? The Sopranos s5e8: Marco Polo, Uncle Junior, HBO 2004