Category: Inspirational Page 20 of 31

Here is a more “active” version of a common saying which I have always thought to be passive and defeatist-sounding.

“Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.”

James Allen

A slightly longer one from Maslow, a social psychologist of the hierarchy of needs fame. Incidentally he was born on April Fools’ Day! Not that anyone really took him for a fool, haha…

There are no perfect human beings! Persons can be found who are good, very good indeed, and even great. There do in fact exist creators, seers, sages, saints, shakers, and movers… even if they are uncommon and do not come by the dozen. And yet these very same people can at times be boring, irritating, petulant, selfish, angry, or depressed. To avoid disillusionment with human nature, we must first give up our illusions about it.

Abraham Maslow, 1908-1970

Of all the material objects in this world, we are truly masters of one thing: ourselves. Before we ask the world to change to accommodate us, need we not ask the same of ourselves first?

First keep the peace within yourself, and then you can also bring peace to others.

Thomas A. Kempis

Very appropriate for the theme of this site.

It is rewarding to find someone you like, but it is essential to like yourself. It is quickening to recognize that someone is a good and decent human being, but it is indispensable to view yourself as acceptable. It is a delight to discover people who are worthy of respect and admiration and love, but it is vital to believe yourself deserving of these things.

For you cannot live in someone else. You cannot find yourself in someone else. You cannot be given a life by someone else. Of all the people you will know in a lifetime, you are the only one you will never leave or lose. read more