A new position of responsibility will usually show a man to be a far stronger creature than was supposed.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
No one will improve your lot if you do not yourself.
—Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) German Poet, Playwright, Theater Personality
When government accepts responsibility for people, then people no longer take responsibility for themselves.
—George Pataki (b.1945) American Politician, Governor
The way to avoid responsibility is to say, “I’ve got responsibilities.”
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Writer, Aviator
If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.
—Pauline Phillips (Abigail van Buren) (1918–2013) American Advice Columnist, Radio Personality
Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Leader, Civil Rights Advocate, Author
People tend to forget their duties but remember their rights.
—Indira Gandhi (1917–84) Indian Head of State
We create the world in which we live; if that world becomes unfit for human life; it is because we tire of our responsibility.
—Cyril Connolly (1903–74) British Literary Critic, Writer
To be a man is to be responsible. It is to feel shame at the sight of what seems to be unmerited misery. It is to take pride in a victory won by one’s comrades. It is to feel, when setting one’s stone, that one is contributing to the building of the world.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900–44) French Novelist, Aviator
The man who is fond of complaining, likes to remain amid the objects of his vexation.—It is at the moment that he declares them insupportable that he will most strongly revolt against every means proposed for his deliverance.—This is what suits him.—He asks nothing better than to sigh over his position and to remain in it.
—Francois Guizot (1787–1874) French Statesman, Historian, Orator
Taking responsibility means not blaming yourself… Anything that takes away your power or your pleasure makes you a victim. Don’t make yourself a victim of yourself!
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
We are each responsible for all of our experiences.
—Louise Hay (1926–2017) American Self-Help Author, Speaker
Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation.
—C. Everett Koop (1916–2013) American Physician, Government Official
We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
The ultimate folly is to think that something crucial to your welfare is being taken care of for you.
—Robert Brault
Responsibility is the thing people dread most of all. Yet it is the one thing in the world that develops us, gives us manhood or womanhood fiber.
—Frank Hall Crane (1873–1948) American Stage and Film Actor, Director
How we love to blame others for our misfortunes! Almost every individual who has lost money in stock speculation has on the tip of his tongue an explanation which he trots out to show that it wasn’t his own fault at all … Hardly one loser has the manliness to say frankly, “I was wrong”.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
Freedom is a package deal—with it comes responsibilities and consequences.
—Unknown
If you mess up, ‘fess up.
—Unknown
In your area of responsibility, if you do not control events, you are at the mercy of events.
—Harland Svare (1930–2020) American Football Player, Coach
My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.
—Albert Ellis (1913–2007) American Psychologist
Ef you take a sword an’ dror it,
An’ go stick a feller thru,
Guv’ment ain’t to answer for it,
God’ll send the bill to you.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Fair play with others is primarily not blaming them for anything that is wrong with us.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him.
—Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) African-American Educationist
I don’t think of myself as a poor deprived ghetto girl who made good. I think of myself as somebody who from an early age knew I was responsible for myself, and I had to make good.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it’s addressed to someone else.
—Ivern Ball (1926–92) American Writer, Aphorist
Bear one another’s burdens.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
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