The humblest individual exerts some influence, either for good or evil, upon others.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
The best efforts of a fine person is felt after we have left their presence.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The person who lives with cripples will soon learn to limp.
—Italian Proverb
Blessed influence of one true loving human soul on another.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Courage is never letting your actions be influenced by your fears.
—Arthur Koestler (1905–83) British Writer, Journalist, Political Refugee
In families well ordered there is always one firm, sweet temper, which controls without seeming to dictate. The Greeks represented Persuasion as crowned.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
People exercise an unconscious selection in being influenced.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
There is no power on earth that can neutralize the influence of a high, simple and useful life.
—Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) African-American Educationist
When men do anything for God, the very least thing, they never know where it will end, nor what amount of work it will do for Him. Love’s secret, therefore, is to be always doing things for God, and not to mind because they are such very little ones.
—Frederick William Faber (1814–63) British Hymn Writer, Theologian
The future influences the present just as much as the past.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Be a pattern to others, and then all will go well; for as a whole city is infected by the licentious passions and vices of great men, so it is likewise reformed by their moderation.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
A good man does good merely by living.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Our destiny exercises its influence over us even when, as yet, we have not learned its nature: it is our future that lays down the law of our today.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
At the same time, as social beings, we are moved in the relations with our fellow beings by such feelings as sympathy, pride, hate, need for power, pity, and so on.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
The great must submit to the dominion of prudence and virtue, or none will long submit to the dominion of the great.—This is a feudal tenure which they cannot alter.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
The blossom cannot tell what becomes of its odor, and no man can tell what becomes of his influence and example, that roll away from him, and go beyond his ken on their perilous mission.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
We live in a world which is full of misery and ignorance, and the plain duty of each and all of us is to try to make the little corner he can influence somewhat less miserable and somewhat less ignorant than it was before he entered it.
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95) English Biologist
Not one false man but does unaccountable mischief.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Sincerity becomes apparent. From being apparent, it becomes manifest. From being manifest, it becomes brilliant. Brilliant, it affects others. Affecting others, they are changed by it. Changed by it, they are transformed. It is only he who is possessed of the most complete sincerity that can exist under heaven, who can transform.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Some wisdom you must learn from one who’s wise.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Planets do not govern the soul, or guide the destinies of men, but trifles, lighter than straws, are levers in the building up of character.
—Martin Farquhar Tupper (1810–89) English Poet, Writer
The influential man is the successful man, whether he be rich or poor.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
Forming characters! Whose? Our own, or others? Both. And in that momentous fact lies the peril and responsibility of our existence. Who is sufficient for the thought?
—Elihu Burritt (1810–79) American Pacifist, Diplomat
All things are nourished together without their injuring one another. The courses of the seasons, and of the sun and moon, are pursued without any collision among them. The smaller energies are like river currents; the greater energies are seen in mighty transformations. It is this which makes heaven and earth so great.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Every thought which genius and piety throw into the world alters the world.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The secret of my influence has always been that it remained secret.
—Salvador Dali (1904–89) Spanish Painter
Affluence means influence
—Jack London (1876–1916) American Novelist
Give me a child and I’ll shape him into anything.
—B. F. Skinner (1904–90) American Psychologist, Social Philosopher, Inventor, Author
A community is like the ones who govern it.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
In our society a man is known by the company he owns.
—Gerald F. Lieberman