Civilization is the progress of a society towards privacy. The savage’s whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.
—Ayn Rand (1905–82) Russian-born American Novelist, Philosopher
What you have outside you counts less than what you have inside you.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
Life ceases to be a fraction and becomes an integer.
—Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) American Baptist Minister
Think positively about yourself…. ask God who made you to keep on remaking you.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
A man’s best friends are his ten fingers.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
In vain he seeketh others to suppress who hath not learned himself first to subdue.
—Edmund Spenser (1552–99) English Poet
You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.
—James Anthony Froude (1818–94) British Historian, Novelist, Biographer, Editor
Every one of us has in him a continent of undiscovered character. Blessed is he who acts the Columbus to his own soul.
—Unknown
It is not only the most difficult thing to know oneself, but the most inconvenient, too.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
A self-made man may prefer a self-made name.
—Learned Hand (1872–1961) American Judge, Judicial Philosopher
The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want.
—Ben Stein (b.1944) American Lawyer, Writer, Economist, Humorist
Many a one cannot loosen his own fetters, but is nevertheless his friend’s emancipator.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Sometimes at night I light a lamp so as not to see.
—Antonio Porchia (1885–1968) Italian Poet
Just when I think I have learned the way to live, life changes and I am left the same. The more things change the more I am the same. I am what I started with, and when it is all over I will be all that is left of me.
—Hugh Prather (b.1938) American Christian Author, Minister, Counselor
When you are alone you are all your own.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Inventor, Architect
Ofttimes nothing profits more than self-esteem, grounded on just and right well manag’d.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
The simplest questions are the most profound. Where were you born? Where is your home? Where are you going? What are you doing? Think about these once in a while and watch your answers change.
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Novelist, Aviator
Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
We are all mortals, and each is for himself.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
Ninety per cent of the world’s woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their frailties, and even their real virtues. Most of us go almost all the way through life as complete strangers to ourselves—so how can we know anyone else?
—Sydney J. Harris (1917–86) American Essayist, Drama Critic
We forfeit three-fourths of ourselves in order to be like other people.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
There is a great deal of unmapped country within us which would have to be taken into account in an explanation of our gusts and storms.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
I am my own heaven and hell.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart: I am, I am, I am.
—Sylvia Plath (1932–63) American Poet, Novelist
The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.
—Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) American Sportsperson
I met a lot of people in Europe. I even encountered myself.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
The only man we have any respect for, is he who uses all the endowment he has, and uses it until he bleeds.
—Martin H. Fischer
There is luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves, we feel no one else has a right to blame us.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
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