Society and the World

What really distinguishes this generation in all countries from earlier generations … is its determination to act, its joy in action, the assurance of being able to change things by one’s own efforts.

Results! Why man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won’t work.

The miracle, or the power, that elevates the few is to be found in their industry, application, and perseverance under the prompting of a brave, determined spirit.

Virtue is not the absence of vices or the avoidance of moral dangers; virtue is a vivid and separate ting, like pain or a particular smell.

He with whom neither slander that gradually soaks into the mind, nor statements that startle like a wound in the flesh, are successful may be called intelligent indeed.

The quality of strength lined with tenderness is an unbeatable combination, as are intelligence and necessity when unblunted by formal education.

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.

What we hope ever to do with ease we may learn first to do with diligence.

Self-knowledge is best learned, not by contemplation, but by action. Strive to do your duty and you will soon discover of what stuff you are made.

If people only knew how hard I work to gain my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all.

We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!

Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are.

Do not be embarrassed by your mistakes. Nothing can teach us better than our understanding of them. This is one of the best ways of self-education.

As for myself, I always willingly acknowledge my own self as the principal cause of every good and of every evil which may befall me; therefore I have always found myself capable of being my own pupil, and ready to love my teacher.

Whatever you have, you must either use or lose.

Whatever you have, you must either use or lose.

What I am looking for is not out there … it’s in me.

Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live, as well as strong to think.

The best motivating is self-motivating. The guy says, ‘I wish someone would come by and turn me on.’ What if they don’t show up? You’ve got to have a better plan for your life.

I deny nothing, but doubt everything.

Language is the armory of the human mind, and at once contains the trophies of its past and the weapons of its future conquests.

There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment . . . It gives warmth and good feeling to all your personal relationships.

Wealth is not a matter of intelligence it’s a matter of inspiration.

A thought which does not result in an action is nothing much, and an action which does not proceed from a thought is nothing at all.