Undeserved praise causes more pangs of conscience later than undeserved blame, but probably only for this reason, that our power of judgment are more completely exposed by being over praised than by being unjustly underestimated.

But what we can do, as flawed as we are, is still see God in other people, and do our best to help them find their own grace. That’s what I strive to do, that’s what I pray to do every day.

For a man to achieve all that is demanded of him he must regard himself as greater than he is.

If I feel anxious every time someone is staring at me, well, I can’t control what they stare at, but my reaction is, I’m just not going to go outside the house. I’m going to stay in and chill. And when I do go out, I understand what comes along with that.

It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows.

You have to be willing to go to war with yourself and create a whole new identity.

Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.

People intoxicate themselves with work so they won’t see how they really are.

I want to do a certain thing in the world, and I am going to do it with unwavering concentration. I am concerning myself with only one essential thing: to set man free. I desire to free him from all cages, from all fears, and not to found religions, new sects, nor to establish new theories and new philosophies.

If I’m a star, then the people made me a star.

That’s the biggest gift I can give anybody: ‚Wake up, be aware of who you are, what you’re doing and what you can do to prevent yourself from becoming ill.‘

If you can’t read, it’s going to be hard to realize dreams.

I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.

The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.

When your higher self is present, it always promotes peace.

We are the creative force of our life, and through our own decisions rather than our conditions, if we carefully learn to do certain things, we can accomplish those goals.

You must do the things you think you cannot do.

Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.

All my big mistakes are when I try to second-guess or please an audience. My work is always stronger when I get very selfish about it.

Many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.

If you wish to forget anything on the spot, make a note that this thing is to be remembered.

Hide our ignorance as we will, an evening of wine soon reveals it.

I know that I always wanted things. I was always proud of my people, proud of my home, but I always wanted more. I think most people do.

I have the habit of attention to such excess, that my senses get no rest – but suffer from a constant strain.

Learn to think continentally.

The fact that you are willing to say, ‚I do not understand, and it is fine,‘ is the greatest understanding you could exhibit.

We all self-conscious. I’m just the first to admit it.

I feel real good because it’s about representing the young world and how to uplift each other and how to push us to be greater and make sure we don’t fall or get trapped or get in trouble, you know what I mean. Stay focused, you know what I mean.

What it’s like to be me? You know, it’s good to be me. My life is good.

Is there anyone so wise as to learn by the experience of others?

When making your choice in life, do not neglect to live.

First and foremost, we need to be the adults we want our children to be. We should watch our own gossiping and anger. We should model the kindness we want to see.

A man who has not passed through the inferno of his passions has never overcome them.

I can’t deny that label-support gave me a leg up – though not every successful artist needs it.

I know my country has not perfected itself. At times, we’ve struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We’ve made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions.

Why should we think upon things that are lovely? Because thinking determines life. It is a common habit to blame life upon the environment. Environment modifies life but does not govern life. The soul is stronger than its surroundings.

Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character.

Success has always been a great liar.

One thing about me is I try to be honest.

I always believe that there should come a time when your energy, speed, stamina should combine well with your brains.

I am trying to find myself. Sometimes that’s not easy.

If some years were added to my life, I would give fifty to the study of the Yi, and then I might come to be without great faults.

To those whose talents are above mediocrity, the highest subjects may be announced. To those who are below mediocrity, the highest subjects may not be announced.

As a matter of self-preservation, a man needs good friends or ardent enemies, for the former instruct him and the latter take him to task.

The self is hateful.

Somewhere it is written that parents who are critical of other people’s children and publicly admit they can do better are asking for it.

Power is competence.

No one can give you better advice than yourself.

Good intentions never change anything. They only become a deeper and deeper rut.

A wise man is cured of ambition by ambition itself; his aim is so exalted that riches, office, fortune and favour cannot satisfy him.

Education comes from within; you get it by struggle and effort and thought.

You’re always learning. The problem is, sometimes you stop and think you understand the world. This is not correct. The world is always moving. You never reach the point you can stop making an effort.

I never knew a more presumptuous person than myself. The fact that I say that shows that what I say is true.

I’m not the same man I used to be, I’m not out hell-raising, stuff like that. I am a changed man.

I’m just like you – I want to be a good human being. I’m doing my best, and I’m working at it. And I’m trying to be a Christian. I’m always amazed when people walk up to me and say, ‚I’m a Christian.‘ I always think, ‚Already? You’ve already got it?‘ I’m working at it. And at my age, I’ll still be working at it at 96.

When there’s so much left to do, why spend your time focusing on things you’ve already done, counting trophies or telling stories about the good old days?

Difficulties should act as a tonic. They should spur us to greater exertion.

Our greatest evils flow from ourselves.

I like America, just as everybody else does. I love America, I gotta say that. But America will be judged.

I don’t crave applause. I’m not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I’m much more alive at home, I think.

Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don’t live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.