C.N. Douglas, comp. Forty Thousand Quotations: Prose and Poetical. 1917.
Impossibility
Never let me hear that foolish word again.
One great difference between a wise man and a fool is: the former only wishes for what he may possibly obtain; the latter desires impossibilities.
Hope not for impossibilities.
Impossible desires are the height of unreason.
Impossible is a word only to be found in the dictionary of fools.
To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.
Do not think that what is hard for thee to master is impossible for man; but if a thing is possible and proper to man, deem it attainable by thee.
We have more strength than will; and it is often merely for an excuse we say things are impossible.
Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.
It is not a lucky word, this same impossible; no good comes of those that have it so often in their mouth.
Nothing is impossible; there are ways which lead to everything; and if we had sufficient will we should always have sufficient means.
My Lord Anson, at the Admiralty, sends word to Chatham, then confined to his chamber by one of his most violent attacks of the gout, that it is impossible for him to fit out a naval expedition within the period to which he is limited. “Impossible!” cried Chatham, glaring at the messenger; “who talks to me of impossibilities?” Then starting to his feet, and forcing out great drops of agony on his brow with the excruciating torment of the effort, he exclaimed, “Tell Lord Anson that he serves under a minister who treads on impossibilities!”