I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
—Maya Angelou (1928–2014) American Poet
One does not become a guru by accident.
—James Fenton (b.1949) English Poet, Journalist
Call the roll in your memory of conspicuously successful (business) giants and, if you know anything about their careers, you will be struck by the fact that almost every one of them encountered inordinate difficulties sufficient to crush all but the gamest of spirits. Edison went hungry many times before he became famous.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
The action of a fool cannot serve as a precedent.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Emulation admires and strives to imitate great actions; envy is only moved to malice.
—Honore de Balzac (1799–1850) French Novelist
Learn to see in another’s calamity the ills which you should avoid.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
From the errors of others, a wise man corrects his own.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Emulation is a noble and just passion, full of appreciation.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary.
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American Author, Journalist, Short Story Writer
Imitation is a necessity of human nature.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American Jurist, Author
As it is our nature to be more moved by hope than fear, the example of one we see abundantly rewarded cheers and encourages us far more than the sight of many who have not been well treated disquiets us.
—Francesco Guicciardini (1483–1540) Italian Historian, Political leader
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Example is not the main thing in influencing others—it’s the only thing.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other. Originality is deliberate and forced, and partakes of the nature of a protest
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
I think it’s an honor to be a role model to one person or maybe more than that. If you are given a chance to be a role model, I think you should always take it because you can influence a person’s life in a positive light, and that’s what I want to do. That’s what it’s all about.
—Tiger Woods (b.1975) American Sportsperson
People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher and better than themselves.
—Tryon Edwards American Theologian
To be ignorant of the lives of the most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a state of childhood.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
One filled with joy preaches without preaching.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
Without heroes, we are all plain people and don’t know how far we can go.
—Bernard Malamud (1914–86) American Novelist, Short-Story Writer
Example moves the world more than doctrine. The great exemplars are the poets of action, and it makes little difference whether they be forces for good or forces for evil.
—Henry Miller (1891–1980) American Novelist
Judgement can be acquired only by acute observation, by actual experience in the school of life, by ceaseless alertness to learn from others, by study of the activities of men who have made notable marks, by striving to analyze the everyday play of causes and effects, by constant study of human nature.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
A man is fortunate if he encounters living examples of vice, as well as of virtue, to inspire him.
—Brendan Behan (1923–64) Irish Poet, Novelist, Playwright
Very few men are wise by their own counsel, or learned by their own teaching; for he that was only taught by himself had a fool as his master.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
A good example is the best sermon.
—Anonymous
I never thought a role model should be negative.
—Michael Jordan (b.1963) American Sportsperson, Businessperson
Nothing is so infectious as example, and we never do great good or evil without producing the like. We Imitate good actions by emulation, and bad ones by the evil of our nature, which shame imprisons until example liberates.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
I studied the lives of great men and famous women; and I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and enthusiasm and hard work.
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
Is there anyone so wise as to learn by the experience of others?
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author