We construct a narrative for ourselves, and that’s the thread that we follow from one day to the next. People who disintegrate as personalities are the ones who lose that thread.

The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives.

To add value to others, one must first value others.

No man ever prayed heartily without learning something.

I am just one human being.

Adventuring can be for the ordinary person with ordinary qualities, such as I regard myself.

Every now and then I read a poem that does touch something in me, but I never turn to poetry for solace or pleasure in the way that I throw myself into prose.

I was bullied as a boy – lots of kids are, but hopefully most of us get on with our lives and grow up.

The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible.

All of our problems start in our minds.

I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.

We grow older, but we do not change. We become more sophisticated, but at bottom we continue to resemble our young selves, eager to listen to the next story and the next, and the next.

I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born.

I never thought of losing, but now that it‘ s happened, the only thing is to do it right. That’s my obligation to all the people who believe in me. We all have to take defeats in life.

What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.

Frivolity is inborn, conceit acquired by education.

My dad seemed comfortable with his decision to be a ‚have-not,‘ but I knew that I wasn’t.

I still have mixed feelings about what growing up is – this thing that happens to everyone, so I’ve heard.

Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw it still.

To accuse others for one’s own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one’s education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one’s education is complete.

I know my flaws before other people point them out to me.

If a person doesn’t change, there’s something really wrong with him.

There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.

I am sure there’s going to be times when I do things wrong that no one’s going to like and everyone’s going to think I’m terrible and rubbish but I know I’m going to go through those times, and it’s just about understanding that that’s going to happen.

Blessed is he who has found his work; let him ask no other blessedness.

If you get your ego in your way, you will only look to other people and circumstances to blame.

Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.

My life is my argument.

Listening to and understanding our inner sufferings will resolve most of the problems we encounter.

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

Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.

Doubt, of whatever kind, can be ended by action alone.

Understand this law and you will then know, beyond room for the slightest doubt, that you are constantly punishing yourself for every wrong you commit and rewarding yourself for every act of constructive conduct in which you indulge.

It was completely fruitless to quarrel with the world, whereas the quarrel with oneself was occasionally fruitful and always, she had to admit, interesting.

Let go of yesterday.

All my adult life people have been helping me.

It takes a great deal of character strength to apologize quickly out of one’s heart rather than out of pity. A person must possess himself and have a deep sense of security in fundamental principles and values in order to genuinely apologize.

When granted many years of life, growing old in age is natural, but growing old with grace is a choice. Growing older with grace is possible for all who will set their hearts and minds on the Giver of grace, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I fear that too many have sadly surrendered their agency to the adversary and are saying by their conduct, ‚I care more about satisfying my own desires than I do about bearing the Savior’s power to bless others.‘

I may be no better, but at least I am different.

I believe that having a spiritual life is so important in everybody’s life.

You may make some mistakes – but that doesn’t make you a sinner. You’ve got the very nature of God on the inside of you.

Peace in the world starts with peace in oneself. If everyone lives mindfully, everyone will be more healthy, feel more fulfilled in their daily lives and there will be more peace.

Every single one of us has a few months here or there that feel like dark months.

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.

I guess I wanted to leave America for awhile. It wasn’t that I wanted to become an expatriate, or just never come back, I needed some breathing room. I’d already been translating French poetry, I’d been to Paris once before and liked it very much, and so I just went.

I’m not frightened of appearing vulnerable.

I think I’m like most people – we fear the unknown and the things that have yet to come to pass, which are the very things that don’t deserve to be feared. When you give God complete control, it’s very hard not to be fearless.

Life opens up opportunities to you, and you either take them or you stay afraid of taking them.

If you dream the proper dreams, and share the myths with people, they will want to grow up to be like you.

We all know we have a finite period of time. I just feel if I’m going to be alive, I want to be challenged – to be as immortal as possible. The path to that isn’t an easy way, but it’s a rewarding way.

I feel confident imposing change on myself. It’s a lot more fun progressing than looking back. That’s why I need to throw curve balls.

I think it’s a very good thing to leave your country and look at it from afar.

There are no second acts in American lives.

He who praises everybody, praises nobody.

To observations which ourselves we make, we grow more partial for th‘ observer’s sake.

The most challenging project I’ve ever done, I think, is every single thing I’ve ever tried to do. It’s never easy.

Dreams are the touchstones of our character.

I don’t dislike any of my exes. If I took time to form a relationship, it’s gonna hurt when we move on, but are you puttin‘ White-Out over all that beautiful time together? That was real time in your life. It’s connected to where you are today.

He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.

Accept everything about yourself – I mean everything, You are you and that is the beginning and the end – no apologies, no regrets.