“When you allow people to do what they wish, then that is what they do. They stop doing the things they need to do.”

“Mma Makutsi pondered this. "Why are there fewer and fewer gentlemen, Mma Ramotswe?""It is our fault, Mma. It is the fault of ladies.""Why is that?""Because we have allowed men to stop behaving as gentlemen, and when you allow people to do what they wish, then that is what they do. They stop doing the things they need to do." She looked at Mma Makutsi across the steering wheel. "That is well known, I think, Mma. That is well known.”

“People will only do to you what you allow them to do.”

“You will receive everything you need when you stop asking for what you do not need”

“When you stop wishing things wouldn't fall apart, you stop suffering when they do.”

“What have you done for science today? Stop doing things for God! He doesn't need anything. Do something for science, for God's sake!”