Do you really think it is weakness that yields to temptation? I tell you that there are terrible temptations which it requires strength, strength and courage to yield to.

The lessons from the peace process are clear; whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load.

A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.

My experience with power, you can maintain it, or you get it taken from you. You get you some newfound power and go crazy, and it get taken from you quick.

Truth cannot be brought down; rather, the individual must make the effort to ascend to it. You cannot bring the mountaintop to the valley. If you would attain to the mountaintop, you must pass through the valley, climb the steeps, unafraid of the dangerous precipices.

There are those who believe Black people possess the secret of joy and that it is this that will sustain them through any spiritual or moral or physical devastation.

A mind at peace, a mind centered and not focused on harming others, is stronger than any physical force in the universe.

Let the fear of a danger be a spur to prevent it; he that fears not, gives advantage to the danger.

There are several good protections against temptation, but the surest is cowardice.

It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence.

Just try new things. Don’t be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar, all right?

Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.

Live as brave men; and if fortune is adverse, front its blows with brave hearts.

Serious illness doesn’t bother me for long because I am too inhospitable a host.

It’s not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It’s because we dare not venture that they are difficult.

One of the powerful temptations is that of the cinema palace. The cinema has undoubtedly an enormous attraction for boys, and people are constantly cudgelling their brains how to stop it. But it is one of those things which would be very difficult to stop even if it were altogether desirable.

All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.

When you get angry, your options narrow.

We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival.

We’re not a fragile people. We’re not a frightful people. Our power doesn’t come from some self-declared savior promising that he alone can restore order as long as we do things his way. We don’t look to be ruled.

It is vain for the coward to flee; death follows close behind; it is only by defying it that the brave escape.

See, behind all my tough, rough exterior is basically a marshmallow, maybe a pussycat. But not a wimp!

The resolve of our great nation is being tested. But make no mistake, we will show the world that we will pass the test.

I want to represent… to the kids to draw strength from me. So they can see that everybody goes through something, but you can rise up and do your best. Just try.

America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.

The relationship to one’s fellow man is the relationship of prayer, the relationship to oneself is the relationship of striving; it is from prayer that one draws the strength for one’s striving.

He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or all he sees.

I am a tough guy.

This above all, to refuse to be a victim.

The finest steel has to go through the hottest fire.

Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.

The strength and power of a country depends absolutely on the quantity of good men and women in it.

Man seems to be capable of great virtues but not of small virtues; capable of defying his torturer but not of keeping his temper.

I know why we’re strong. I know why we have held together; I know why we are united: it’s because there’s always been a growing middle class.

The financial crisis should not become an excuse to raise taxes, which would only undermine the economic growth required to regain our strength.

If you’re put on a pedestal, you’re supposed to behave yourself like a pedestal type of person. Pedestals actually have a limited circumference. Not much room to move around.

It is much easier to suppress a first desire than to satisfy those that follow.

Exceeds man’s might: that dwells with the gods above.

I think it is the height of ignorance to believe that the sexual act is an independent function necessary like sleeping or eating. Seeing, therefore, that I did not desire more children, I began to strive after self-control. There was endless difficulty in the task.

The coward wretch whose hand and heart Can bear to torture aught below, Is ever first to quail and start From the slightest pain or equal foe.

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.

Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think.

Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools.

Will power is to the mind like a strong blind man who carries on his shoulders a lame man who can see.

Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.

History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.

In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.

It was high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, ‚always do what you are afraid to do.‘

Tears shed for self are tears of weakness, but tears shed for others are a sign of strength.

Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.

Courage is the greatest of all virtues, because if you haven’t courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.

There’s nothing wrong with anger provided you use it constructively.

But Satan now is wiser than of yore, and tempts by making rich, not making poor.

What happened in the missile crisis in October 1962 has been prettified to make it look as if acts of courage and thoughtfulness abounded. The truth is that the whole episode was almost insane.

My weak spot is laziness. Oh, I have a lot of weak spots: cookies, croissants.

When angry, count to four; when very angry, swear.

The risk for me would be in not taking one – that’s the only thing that’s really risky for me.

Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.

Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person.

It is any day better to stand erect with a broken and bandaged head then to crawl on one’s belly, in order to be able to save one’s head.

If I should ever be captured, I want no negotiation – and if I should request a negotiation from captivity they should consider that a sign of duress.