No oppression is so heavy or lasting as that which is inflicted by the perversion and exorbitance of legal authority.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Sometimes if you want to see a change for the better, you have to take things into your own hands.
—Clint Eastwood (b.1930) American Film Director, Film Producer, Film Actor
A little kingdom I possess,
Where thoughts and feelings dwell;
And very hard the task I find
Of governing it well.
—Louisa May Alcott (1832–88) American Novelist
This work somehow awakened my dormant powers of will and I began to practice self-control. At first my resolutions faded like snow in April, but in a little while I conquered my weakness and felt a pleasure I never knew before—that of doing as I willed.
—Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) Serbian-American Electrical Engineer, Inventor
We can’t control the world, but we can control our reactions to it.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
O, it is excellent to have a giant’s strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
As the Sandwich Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain the strength of the temptations we resist.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
If you don’t know what to do with many of the papers piled on your desk, stick a dozen colleagues’ initials on ’em, and pass them along. When in doubt, route.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
Not to have control over the senses is like sailing in a rudderless ship, bound to break to pieces on coming in contact with the very first rock.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Frozen in fear, you avoid responsibility because you think your experience is beyond your control. This stance keeps you from making decisions, solving problems, or going after what you want in life.
—David Emerald
If it were possible to make an accurate calculation of the evils which police regulations occasion, and of those which they prevent, the number of the former would, in all cases, exceed that of the latter.
—Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767–1835) German Philosopher, Linguist, Statesman
Look for people who have lots of great questions. Smart people are the ones who ask the most thoughtful questions, as opposed to thinking they have all the answers. Great questions are a much better indicator of future success than great answers.
—Ray Dalio (b.1949) American Investor
Firmness of purpose is one of the most necessary sinews of character, and one of the best instruments of success. Without it genius wastes its efforts in a maze of inconsistencies.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
No man is fit to command another that cannot command himself.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Philosopher, Political Leader
Getting your house in order and reducing the confusion gives you more control over your life. Personal organization some how releases or frees you to operate more effectively.
—Larry King (1933–2021) American TV and Radio Personality, Journalist
We fail to see that we can control our own destiny; make ourselves do whatever is possible; make ourselves become whatever we long to be.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
Does it follow that I reject all authority? Perish the thought. In the matter of boots, I defer to the authority of the boot-maker.
—Mikhail Bakunin (1814–76) Russian Anarchist Philosopher
Hatred comes from the heart; contempt from the head; and neither feeling is quite within our control.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
Don’t let other people tell you what you want.
—Pat Riley (b.1945) American Basketball Player, Coach
Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; the hardest victory is over self.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Defend your limitations and you own them!
—Unknown
If one benefits tangibly from the exploitation of others who are weak, is one morally implicated in their predicament? Or are basic rights of human existence confined to the civilized societies that are wealthy enough to afford them? Our values are defined by what we will tolerate when it is done to others.
—William Greider (1936–2019) American Political Journalist
No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
It is far more important that one’s life should be perceived than it should be transformed; for no sooner has it been perceived, than it transforms itself of its own accord.
—Unknown
I grew up to always respect authority and respect those in charge.
—Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970) French General, Statesman
Slight small injuries, and they will become none at all.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.
—Charles Darwin (1809–82) English Naturalist
I’m not against the police; I’m just afraid of them.
—Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980) British-born American Film Director, Film Producer
Are you a SNIOP? Someone who is Sensitive to the Negative Influence Of Others?
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
He who reins within himself and rules passions, desires, and fears is more than a king.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
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