Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.

To be granted some kind of usable talent and to be able to use it to the fullest extent of which you are capable—this, to me, is a kind of joy that is almost unequaled.

The average person puts only 25% of his energy and ability into his work. The world takes off its hat to those who put in more than 50% of their capacity, and stands on its head for those few and far between souls who devote 100%.

The man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of everything else to which he is justly entitled.

The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.

Gentleness is strength under control. It is the ability to stay calm, no matter what happens.

Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.

Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.

Those disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory, sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.

We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.

A fair character is a fair fortune.

The liar is no better than the thief, and if his mendacity takes the form of slander he may be worse than most thieves. It puts a premium upon knavery untruthfully to attack an honest man, or even with hysterical exaggeration to assail a bad man with untruth.

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.

Let us remind ourselves that it is ordinary people – men and women, boys and girls – that make the world a special place.

No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true.

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.

If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them feel they are important, and you do that by being genuine and humble.

The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.

Films, football, beer, and above all, gambling filled up the horizon of their minds. To keep them in control was not difficult.

We always like those who admire us; we do not always like those whom we admire.