A man is not hurt so much by what happens as by his opinion of what happens.

He who is of a calm and happy nature will hardly feel the pressure of age, but to him who is of an opposite disposition, youth and age are equally a burden.

As I walked out the door to my freedom I knew that, if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and resentment behind, I would remain a prisoner.

A man has to learn that he cannot command things, but that he can command himself; that he cannot coerce the wills of others, but that he can mold and master his own will: and things serve him who serves Truth; people seek guidance of him who is master of himself.

You and only you are responsible for your life choices and decisions.

There is a force that somehow pushes us to choose the more difficult path whereby we can transcend the mire and muck into which we are so often born. Despite all that resists the process, we do become better human beings.

It is the responsibility of leadership to work intelligently with what is given, and not to waste time fantasizing about a world of flawless people and perfect choices.

Freedom is what we do with what is done to us.

Pain is certain, suffering is optional.

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

We are free up to the point of choice, then the choice controls the chooser.

I'm a writer, and I will write what I want to write.

When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.

Being at ease with not knowing is crucial for answers to come to you.

The whole universe is contained within a single human being—you.

Peaces comes from within. Do not seek it without.

I’m fascinated with myself and love hearing the sound of my own voice. I’d like to hear what I have to say. A lot of people don’t like being alone because they truly don’t like themselves, but I love me.

If you are ever tempted to look for outside approval, realize that you have compromised your integrity.

We all walk in the dark and each of us must learn to turn on his or her own light.

The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases. Each of us carries his own life-form—an indeterminable form which cannot be superseded by any other.

There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.

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.

Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.

Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power.

I love people. I love my family, my children… but inside myself is a place where I live all alone and that’s where you renew your springs that never dry up.