I’ll walk where my own nature would be leading; it vexes me to choose another guide.
—Emily Bronte (1818–48) English Novelist, Poet
Personality, too, is destiny.
—Erik Erikson (1902–94) German-born American Developmental Psychologist
Take away the cause, and the effect ceases.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Bloom where you are planted.
—Mary Engelbreit (b.1952) American Artist, Illustrator
Ask yourself the secret of your success. Listen to your answer, and practice it.
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Writer, Aviator
This is the chief thing: Be not perturbed: for all things are according to the nature of the universal.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Nothing is good for everyone, but only relatively to some people.
—Andre Gide (1869–1951) French Novelist
Abasement, degradation is simply the manner of life of the man who has refused to be what it is his duty to be.
—Jose Ortega y. Gasset (1883–1955) Spanish Critic, Journalist, Philosopher
People are ridiculous only when they fly or seem to be that which they are not.
—Giacomo Leopardi (1798–1837) Italian Poet, Essayist, Philosopher
A first rate soup is better than a second rate painting.
—Abraham Maslow (1908–70) American Psychologist, Academic, Humanist
Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find his right road.
—Dag Hammarskjold (1905–61) Swedish Statesman, UN Diplomat
A man can do only what he can do. But if he does that each day he can sleep at night and do it again the next day.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Philosopher, Musician, Physician
Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
—Sylvester Stallone (b.1946) American Actor, Screenwriter, Director
Do you know that disease and death must needs overtake us, no matter what we are doing? … What do you wish to be doing when it overtakes you? If you have anything better to be doing when you are so overtaken, get to work on that.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
All I would tell people is to hold on to what was individual about themselves, not to allow their ambition for success to cause them to try to imitate the success of others. You’ve got to find in on your own terms.
—Harrison Ford (b.1942) American Actor
As long as I have a want, I have a reason for living. Satisfaction is death.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
The only success worth one’s powder was success in the line of one’s idiosyncrasy … what was talent but the art of being completely whatever one happened to be?
—Henry James (1843–1916) American-born British Novelist, Writer
Of all the paths a man could strike into, there is, at any given moment, a best path … a thing which, here and now, it were of all things wisest for him to do … to find this path, and walk in it, is the one thing needful for him.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Those who love a cause are those who love the life which has to be led in order to serve it.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
What makes life dreary is the want of a motive.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
If Heaven made him—earth can find some use for him.
—Chinese Proverb
We only do well the things we like doing.
—Colette (1873–1954) French Novelist, Performer
If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap, whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be content to take their own and depart.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
If you go to heaven without being naturally qualified for it, you will not enjoy it there.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
What one man does, another fails to do; what’s fit for me may not be fit for you.
—Unknown
Every true man, sir, who is a little above the level of the beasts and plants does not live for the sake of living, without knowing how to live; but he lives so as to give a meaning and a value of his own to life.
—Luigi Pirandello (1867–1936) Italian Dramatist, Novelist, Short Story Writer
Follow your bliss. Find where it is and don’t be afraid to follow it.
—Joseph Campbell (1904–87) American Author, Mythologist
Everyone has a right to his own course of action.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
Let them know a real man, who lives as he was meant to live.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
In my clinical experience, the greatest block to a person’s development is his having to take on a way of life which is not rooted in his own powers.
—Rollo May (1909–94) American Philosopher
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