Ambition, old as mankind, the immemorial weakness of the strong.
—Vita Sackville-West (1892–1962) English Gardener, Author, Poet
Success is achieved by development of our strengths, not by elimination of our weakness.
—Marilyn vos Savant (b.1946) American Columnist, Author, Lecture, Playwright
Confession is always weakness. The grave soul keeps its own secrets, and takes its own punishment in silence.
—Dorothy Dix (1861–1951) American Journalist, Columnist
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
Power over others is weakness disguised as strength. True power if within, and it is available to you now.
—Eckhart Tolle (b.1948) German Spiritual Writer, Public Speaker, Spiritual Teacher
Flee an enemy who knows your weakness.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
Growth begins when we start to accept our own weakness.
—Jean Vanier (1928–2019) French-Canadian Philosopher, Theologian, Humanitarian
Our worries always come from our weaknesses.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power.
—John Adams (1735–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
The weak are more likely to make the strong weak than the strong are likely to make the weak strong.
—Marlene Dietrich (1901–92) German-born American Actor, Singer
People who have no weaknesses are terrible; there is no way of taking advantage of them.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
The weak soul, within itself unblest, leans for all pleasure on another’s breast.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
You cannot run away from a weakness. You must sometimes fight it out or perish; and if that be so, why not now, and where you stand?
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
Compassion is not weakness, and concern for the unfortunate is not socialism.
—Hubert Humphrey (1911–78) American Head of State, Politician