This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.

Much of the evil in the world is due to the fact that man in general is hopelessly unconscious.

A problem well-put is half-solved.

Appearances to the mind are of four kinds. Things either are what they appear to be; or they neither are, nor appear to be; or they are, and do not appear to be; or they are not, and yet appear to be. Rightly to aim in all these cases is the wise man’s task.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

When civil fury first grew high, and men fell out they knew not why.

Don't be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn't do what you do or think as you do or as fast. There is a time when you didn't know what you know today.

And, more importantly, reach for the stars. And realize that it is never too late—not now, not ever—for you to pursue you passion, your pursuit of perfection. And most importantly, your perseverance for making it happen.

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I’m not perfect. And who knows how many times I’ve fallen short. We all fall short. That’s the amazing thing about the grace of God.

The indefatigable pursuit of an unattainable perfection, even though it consists in nothing more than in the pounding of an old piano, is what alone gives a meaning to our life on this unavailing star.

The compass and the square produce perfect circles and squares. By the sages, the human relations are perfectly exhibited.

Creativity is often blocked to trying to be perfect. Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.

My strength is made perfect in weakness.

It is through art, and through art only, that we can realize our perfection; through art and art only that we can shield ourselves from the sordid perils of actual existence.

Perfect wisdom has four parts; Wisdom, the principle of doing things right. Justice, the principle of doing things equally in public and private. Fortitude, the principle of not fleeing danger, but meeting it. Temperance, the principle of subduing desires and living moderately.

Not a having and a resting, but a growing and a becoming is the character of perfection as culture conceives it.

It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.

Nowadays the world is becoming increasingly materialistic, and mankind is reaching toward the very zenith of external progress, driven by an insatiable desire for power and vast possessions. Yet by this vain striving for perfection in a world where everything is relative, they wander even further away from inward peace and happiness of the mind.

Nothing quite new is perfect.

Believing as I do that man in the distant future will be a far more perfect creature than he now is, it is an intolerable thought that he and all other sentient beings are doomed to complete annihilation after such long-continued slow progress. To those who fully admit the immortality of the human soul, the destruction of our world will not appear so dreadful.

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.

If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.

A great man is hard on himself; a small man is hard on others.

In reading lives of great people, I found the first victory won was over themselves.

A man must stand erect, not be kept erect by others.

Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people.

Emotions are inherent in your nature, but their content is dictated by your mind.

If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation.

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