You can’t fly a kite unless you go against the wind and have a weight to keep it from turning a somersault. The same with man. No man will succeed unless he is ready to face and overcome difficulties and is prepared to assume responsibilities.
—William J. H. Boetcker (1873–1962) American Presbyterian Minister
Remember that what pulls the strings is the force hidden within; there lies the power to persuade, there the life—there, if one must speak out, the real man.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
A fellow can’t keep people from having a bad opinion of him, but he can keep them from being right about it.
—Unknown
Man must be arched and buttressed from within, else the temple will crumble to dust.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
God hath entrusted me with myself.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And, the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
Trust in God, but keep your powder dry.
—Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658) British Head of State, Military Leader
You will not find poetry anywhere unless you bring some of it with you.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
Chance never helps those who do not help themselves.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Every tub must stand on its own bottom.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Debt is a trap which man sets and baits himself, and then deliberately gets into.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
If people are suffering, then they must look within themselves … Happiness is not something ready-made (Buddha) can give you. It comes from your own actions.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie, which we ascribe to Heaven.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
I am my own heaven and hell.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Pa, he always said a man had to look spry for himself, because nobody would do it for him; your opportunities didn’t come knocking around, you had to hunt them down and hog-tie them.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
I have always regarded myself as the pillar of my life.
—Meryl Streep (b.1949) American Actor
Blame yourself if you have no branches or leaves; don’t accuse the sun of partiality.
—Chinese Proverb
Man is the artificer of his own happiness.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
The Proverb warns that “You should not bite that hand that feeds you”. But maybe you should, if it prevents you from feeding yourself.
—Thomas Szasz (1920–2012) Hungarian-American Psychiatrist, Psychoanalyst
There is no reality except the one contained within us.
—Hermann Hesse (1877–1962) German-born Swiss Novelist, Poet
Let every eye negotiate for itself and trust no agent.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn’t. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your conviction is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
For non-conformity the world whips you with its displeasure.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Man is not the creature of circumstances, circumstances are the creatures of man. We are free agents, and man is more powerful than matter.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
Providence has done, and I am persuaded is disposed to do, a great deal for us; but we are not to forget the fable of Jupiter and the countryman.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks, but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Help yourself, and Heaven will help you.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
You have of late stood out against your brother, and he hath taken you newly into his grace; where it is impossible you should take true root but by the fair weather that you make yourself; it is needful that you frame the season for your own harvest.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
If you want a thing done, go. If not, send. The shortest answer is doing.
—English Proverb