Greatness lies, not in being strong, but in the right using of strength; and strength is not used rightly when it serves only to carry a man above his fellows for his own solitary glory. He is the greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Influence never dies; every act, emotion, look and word makes influence tell for good or evil, happiness or woe, through the long future of eternity.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
In our society a man is known by the company he owns.
—Gerald F. Lieberman
Our gifts and attainments are not only to be light and warmth in our own dwellings, but are to shine through the window, into the dark night, to guide and cheer bewildered travellers on the road.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Planets do not govern the soul, or guide the destinies of men, but trifles, lighter than straws, are levers in the building up of character.
—Martin Farquhar Tupper (1810–89) English Poet, Writer
Affluence means influence.
—Jack London (1876–1916) American Novelist
The secret of my influence has always been that it remained secret.
—Salvador Dali (1904–89) Spanish Painter
Forming characters! Whose? Our own, or others? Both. And in that momentous fact lies the peril and responsibility of our existence. Who is sufficient for the thought?
—Elihu Burritt (1810–79) American Pacifist, Diplomat
Among the appliances to transform the people, sound and appearances are but trivial influences.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Always so act that the immediate motive of thy will may become a universal rule for all intelligent beings.
—Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) Prussian German Philosopher, Logician
Courage is never letting your actions be influenced by your fears.
—Arthur Koestler (1905–83) British Writer, Journalist, Political Refugee
The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
The person who lives with cripples will soon learn to limp.
—Italian Proverb
Virtue will catch as well as vice by contact; and the public stock of honest, manly principle will daily accumulate. We are not too nicely to scrutinize motives as long as action is irreproachable. It is enough to deal out its infamy to convicted guilt and declared apostasy.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
He who wishes to exert a useful influence must be careful to insult nothing. Let him not be troubled by what seems absurd, but consecrate his energies to the creation of what is good. He must not demolish, but build. He must raise temples where mankind may come and partake of the purest pleasures.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
When men do anything for God, the very least thing, they never know where it will end, nor what amount of work it will do for Him. Love’s secret, therefore, is to be always doing things for God, and not to mind because they are such very little ones.
—Frederick William Faber (1814–63) British Hymn Writer, Theologian
Be a pattern to others, and then all will go well; for as a whole city is infected by the licentious passions and vices of great men, so it is likewise reformed by their moderation.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Those who sleep with dogs will rise with fleas.
—Italian Proverb
Let no man imagine that he has no influence. Whoever he may be, and where ever he may be placed, the man who thinks becomes a light and a power.
—Henry George (1839–97) American Political Economist, Journalist
It takes tremendous discipline to control the influence, the power you have over other people’s lives.
—Clint Eastwood (b.1930) American Film Director, Film Producer, Film Actor
There is no power on earth that can neutralize the influence of a high, simple and useful life.
—Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) African-American Educationist
No man or woman of the humblest sort can really be strong, gentle and pure and good, without the world being better for it, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.
—Phillips Brooks (1835–93) American Episcopal Clergyman, Author
A community is like the ones who govern it.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
At the same time, as social beings, we are moved in the relations with our fellow beings by such feelings as sympathy, pride, hate, need for power, pity, and so on.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
The best efforts of a fine person is felt after we have left their presence.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
People are submissive to power, and few of them can be influenced by doctrines of righteousness.
—Frances Greville (c.1724–89) Irish Poet, Socialite
The blossom cannot tell what becomes of its odor, and no man can tell what becomes of his influence and example, that roll away from him, and go beyond his ken on their perilous mission.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
You don’t have to be a “person of influence” to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they’ve taught me.
—Scott Adams (b.1957) American Cartoonist
Get around people who have something of value to share with you. Their impact will continue to have a significant effect on your life long after they have departed.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
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