See that no one puts a stumbling block, or an occasion to fall in his brothers way.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
We are like chameleons, we take our hue and the color of our moral character, from those who are around us.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
Who shall set a limit to the influence of a human being?
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The person who lives with cripples will soon learn to limp.
—Italian Proverb
The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entire ocean is affected by a pebble.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
A community is like the ones who govern it.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
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
Our gifts and attainments are not only to be light and warmth in our own dwellings, but are to shine through the window, into the dark night, to guide and cheer bewildered travellers on the road.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
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
Not one false man but does unaccountable mischief.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
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
Courage is never letting your actions be influenced by your fears.
—Arthur Koestler (1905–83) British Writer, Journalist, Political Refugee
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
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
The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Nothing has a stronger influence psychologically on their environment, and especially on their children, than the unlived life of their parents.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
Virtue will catch as well as vice by contact; and the public stock of honest, manly principle will daily accumulate. We are not too nicely to scrutinize motives as long as action is irreproachable. It is enough to deal out its infamy to convicted guilt and declared apostasy.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
Blessed influence of one true loving human soul on another.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
People exercise an unconscious selection in being influenced.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
What a mother sings to the cradle goes all the way down to the coffin.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Get around people who have something of value to share with you. Their impact will continue to have a significant effect on your life long after they have departed.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
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
It is a strange trade that of advocacy. Your intellect, your highest heavenly gift is hung up in the shop window like a loaded pistol for sale.
—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
The humblest individual exerts some influence, either for good or evil, upon others.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
The life of a faithful Christian man is a guide to paradise.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
Among the appliances to transform the people, sound and appearances are but trivial influences.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
One concept corrupts and confuses the others. I am not speaking of the Evil whose limited sphere is ethics; I am speaking of the infinite.
—Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986) Argentine Writer, Essayist, Poet
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
There are only about a half dozen things that make 80% of the difference in any area of our lives.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
Let no man imagine that he has no influence. Whoever he may be, and where ever he may be placed, the man who thinks becomes a light and a power.
—Henry George (1839–97) American Political Economist, Journalist
Every thought which genius and piety throw into the world alters the world.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
You don’t have to be a “person of influence” to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they’ve taught me.
—Scott Adams (b.1957) American Cartoonist
When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
The words that a father speaks to his children in the privacy of home are not heard by the world, but, as in whispering galleries, they are clearly heard at the end, and by posterity.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
Influencing people is dangerous. Their acts and thoughts become your illegitimate children. You can’t get away from them and Heaven knows what they mayn’t grow up into.
—Elizabeth Bibesco (1897–1945) English Poet, Short Story Writer, Novelist
A good man does good merely by living.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Some wisdom you must learn from one who’s wise.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
The influential man is the successful man, whether he be rich or poor.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
Always so act that the immediate motive of thy will may become a universal rule for all intelligent beings.
—Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) Prussian German Philosopher, Logician
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
Greatness lies, not in being strong, but in the right using of strength; and strength is not used rightly when it serves only to carry a man above his fellows for his own solitary glory. He is the greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Give me a child and I’ll shape him into anything.
—B. F. Skinner (1904–90) American Psychologist, Social Philosopher, Inventor, Author
The future influences the present just as much as the past.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
To help the young soul, to add energy, inspire hope, and blow the coals into a useful flame; to redeem defeat by new thought and firm action, this, though not easy, is the work of divine men.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Let him that would move the world, first move himself.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
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 best efforts of a fine person is felt after we have left their presence.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
We cannot think or act but the soul of some one who has passed before points the way.—The dead never die.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
The deepest life of nature is silent and obscure; so often the elements that move and mould society are the results of the sister’s counsel and the mother’s prayer.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet