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Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
-Gautama Buddha
Why The Candles?
Candles are used symbolically in spiritual traditions worldwide. Like understanding, candlelight can be transferred without the one who imparts it losing anything. Candles serve as signals. They can light the way. They help us search in the dark. Their light can take away the hard edges of what they illuminate. They provide warmth.
Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
-Shakespeare, Macbeth
Candles can also burn us if we don't respect them. They can be "burnt at both ends." Candles can tempt moths to their death, and they can start a conflagration.
This Web site is like a candle proffered to you. It is up to you to decide how you will use it. If it is enlightening even in the tiniest of ways, it has served its purpose.
My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends
It gives a lovely light.
-Edna St Vincent Millay
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In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
- Albert Schweitzer
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
-Erin Majors
There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle.
-Robert Alden