A man should not strive to eliminate his complexes but to get into accord with them, for they are legitimately what directs his conduct in the world.
—Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) Austrian Psychiatrist, Psychoanalytic
For me, writing is the only thing that passes the three tests of metier: (1) when I’m doing it, I don’t feel that I should be doing something else instead; (2) it produces a sense of accomplishment and, once in a while, pride; and (3) it’s frightening.
—Gloria Steinem (b.1934) American Feminist, Journalist, Social Activist, Political Activist
Freedom and constraint are two aspects of the same necessity, the necessity of being the man you are and not another. You are free to be that man, but not free to be another.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900–44) French Novelist, Aviator
What makes life dreary is the want of a motive.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Follow your bliss. Find where it is and don’t be afraid to follow it.
—Joseph Campbell (1904–87) American Mythologist, Writer, Lecturer
Rose is a rose is a rose.
—Gertrude Stein (1874–1946) American Writer
We can’t all be heroes, because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
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, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
I’ll walk where my own nature would be leading; it vexes me to choose another guide.
—Emily Bronte (1818–48) English Novelist, Poet
If Heaven made him—earth can find some use for him.
—Chinese Proverb
As long as I have a want, I have a reason for living. Satisfaction is death.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
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
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
What’s a joy to the one is a nightmare to the other.
—Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) German Poet, Playwright, Theater Personality
Every man has his own destiny; the only imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where it leads him.
—Henry Miller (1891–1980) American Novelist
Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
—Sylvester Stallone (b.1946) American Actor, Screenwriter, Director
A first rate soup is better than a second rate painting.
—Abraham Maslow (1908–70) American Psychologist, Academic, Humanist
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
We only do well the things we like doing.
—Colette (1873–1954) French Novelist, Performer
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
If a man has a talent and cannot use it, he has failed. If he has a talent and uses only half of it, he has partly failed. If he has a talent and learns somehow to use the whole of it, he has gloriously succeeded, and won a satisfaction and a triumph few men ever know.
—Thomas Wolfe (1900–38) American Novelist
Take away the cause, and the effect ceases.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
To feel that one has a place in life solves half the problem of contentment.
—George Edward Woodberry (1855–1930) American Literary Critic, Poet
Man can starve from a lack of self-realization as much as… from a lack of bread.
—Richard Wright (1908–1960) American Novelist, Short-Story Writer
We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in those which can also make use of our defects.
—Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–59) French Historian, Political Scientist
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
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
Bloom where you are planted.
—Mary Engelbreit (b.1952) American Graphic Artist
There is just one life for each of us: our own.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Personality, too, is destiny.
—Erik Erikson (1902–94) German-born American Developmental Psychologist
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