Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that setbacks and griefs which endure help us in our march forward.

But we cannot simply sit and stare at our wounds forever.

May your troubles be less and your blessings be more.

One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud; and after summer evermore succeeds barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold: so cares and joys abound, as seasons fleet.

Put your greatest possession on the tallest shelf, so if you fall you have something to reach for.

Whenever sorrow comes, be kind to it. For God has placed a pearl in sorrow’s hand.

Not all storms come to disrupt your life. Some come to clear your path.

Character develops itself in the stream of life.

I usually make up my mind about a man in ten seconds; and I very rarely change it.

I am a true laborer: I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man’s happiness, glad of other men’s good, content with my harm.

It wasn't until late in life that I discovered how easy it is to say "I don't know."

Oh, I offended you with my opinion? You should hear the the ones I keep to myself.

The best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and how he treats people who can’t fight back.

Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you.

Our life does not develop as a result of chance, but as a result of causes.

it takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.

Loosen up. Life is a lesson. Learn from it and progress on!

There is not one big cosmic meaning for all, there is only the meaning we each give to our life. . . To seek a total unity is wrong. To give as much meaning to one’s life as possible is right to me.

The less you respond to negative people, the positive your life will become.

The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.

The weight of this sad time we must obey; speak what we feel, not what we ought to say. The oldest hath borne most: we that are young, shall never see so much, nor live so long.

He that hunts others, must run himself.

The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its own storms, it has its tides, and in its depths, it has its pearls too.

So it is more useful to watch a man in time of peril, and in adversity to discern what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn from the depths of his heart, and the mask it torn off, reality remains.

Conquer yourself rather than the world.

The same power that rose Christ from the dead, is living inside of you.

No house should ever be on any hill or on anything. It should be of the hill, belonging to it, so hill and house could live together each the happier for the other.

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.

Do not seek to bring things to pass in accordance with your wishes, but wish for them as they are, and you will find them.

It is very important to know who you are. To make decisions. To show who you are.

The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.