Gems from the Quran-5:

An hour's contemplation and study of God's creation is better than a year of adoration.

Gems from the Bhagavata-4:

May the world be peaceful.  May the wicked become gentle.  May all creatures think of mutual welfare.  May their minds be occupied with what is ausipicious.  And may our hearts be immersed in selfless love for the Lord.

Gems from the Buddha-16:

Be ye lamps unto yourselves. Be ye a refuge to yourselves.  Betake yourselves to no external refuge. Hold fast to the truth as a lamp.  Hold fast as a refuge to the truth.  Look not for refuge to any one besides yourselves.

Gems from the Bible-25:

Receive my instructions, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.  For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it - Proverbs, The Holy Bible

Gems from Sri Ramana Maharishi-1:

The mind will always be wandering.  Just as when a chain is given to an elephant to hold in its trunk, it will go along grasping the chain and nothing else, so also when the mind is occupied with a name or form, it will grasp that alone.  When the mind expands in the form of countless thoughts, each thought becomes weak; but as thoughts get resolved the mind becomes one-pointed and strong; for such a mind self-inquiry will become easy.