This is the thing that I was born to do.

Whatever happens at all happens as it should; you will find this true, if you watch narrowly.

Our destiny exercises its influence over us even when, as yet, we have not learned its nature; it is our future that lays down the law of our today.

Let us resolve to be masters, not victims, of our history, controlling our own destiny without giving way to blind suspicions and emotions.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.

Master of human destinies am I! Fame, love, and fortune on my footsteps wait.

The heights by great men reached and kept Where not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night.

I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.

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%.

What doesn’t transmit light creates its own darkness.

Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.

I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.

The United States of America is the greatest, the noblest and, in its original founding principles, the only moral country in the history of the world.

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

The greatest kindness one can render to any man is leading him to truth.

Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute.

Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and knowledge are not infused into us from without.

I have brought myself, by long meditation, to the conviction that a human being with settled purpose must accomplish it, and that nothing can resist a will which will stake even existence upon its fulfillment.

I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.

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.

If we do not make common cause to save the good old ship of the Union on this voyage, nobody will have a chance to pilot her on another voyage.

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.