Great Throughts Treasury

"A person who does not know how to use his mind productively will flee from the state of being alone. But when a person has leaned to think, he will greatly appreciate the moments when he is by himself, for then he will be able to utilize those moments for intellectual and spiritual growth. In fact, moments of solitude serve as tests to a person to clarify how thinking-oriented he really is."

"Affliction appears to be the guide to reflection; the teacher of humility; the parent of repentance; the nurse of faith; the strengthener of patience, and the promoter of charity."

"Acceptance is recognizing that whatever happens, and however we respond, is precisely what we need for our highest good and learning."

"A nickname is the heaviest stone the devil can throw at a man."

"Behold the turtle, who makes progress only when he sticks his neck out."

"Each evening we should meditate upon the fact that one more day is gone from the list that make up the sum of our years...By so much the time is shortened that separates us from the grave, the judgment and the eternal destiny."

"Character is made up of small duties faithfully performed - of self-denials, of self-sacrifices, of kindly acts of love and duty."

"Every virtue carries with it its own reward, but none in so distinguished and pre-eminent a degree as benevolence."

"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creatures, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

"Once you release your expectations about the future there is only now."

"Originality is the art of concealing your sources."

"It is on seldom frequented paths that one risks meeting ugly characters. The rule does not apply to the path of virtue."

"Each man has a choice in life: He may approach it as a creator or critic, a love or hater, a giver or taker."

"Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph; a beginning, a struggle, and a victory."

"Life's greatest achievement is the continual remaking of yourself so that at last you know how to live."

"No consenting soul can be made to sin, and so sin is inexcusable."

"It is the eye that makes the horizon."

"Man is not born to solve the problem of the universe; but to find out what he has to do, and to restrain himself within the limits of his comprehension."

"Many forgive injuries, but none ever forgave contempt."

"Some people carry their hearts in their heads; very many carry their heads in their hearts. The difficulty is to keep them apart, and yet both actively working together."

"Speak kindly today; when tomorrow comes you will be in practice."

"Personality has the power to open many doors, but character must keep them open."

"Self-preservation is the first law of nature; self-sacrifice the highest rule of grace."

"The road to success is always under construction."

"We are all born equal, and are distinguished alone by virtue."

"Our ability to relax into life reflects our willingness to trust."

"The gift of Shabbos is the gift of peace of mind."

"The real measure of our wealth is our worth if we lost our money."

"The souls of men of feeble purpose are the graveyards of good intentions."

"What a man is inwardly he will ultimately display outwardly."

"We should train our desires to show the way to our dreams."

"What you are is God’s gift to you; what you make of yourself is your gift to God."

"You can’t steal second base and keep one foot on first."

"10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we react to it."

"What we can't express runs our life."

"A mirror is of no use to the blind man, nor knowledge to a man without discernment."

"A task without a vision is drudgery; a vision without a task is a dram; a task with a vision is victory."

"A friend is a fellow who knows all about you and still likes you."

"All fear is bondage."

"All glory comes from daring to begin."

"A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor but that he can be made rich by it. A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business, and is the countersign of friendship. It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and it is nature's best antidote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give."

"Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote."

"Constant activity in doing good, and endeavoring to make others happy, is one of the surest ways of making ourselves so."

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt."

"Education does not commence with the alphabet; it begins with a mother's look, with a father's nod of approbation, or a sign of reproof; with a sister's gentle pressure of the hand, or a brother's noble act of forbearance; with handfuls of flowers in green dells, on hills, and daisy meadows; with birds' nests admired, but not touched; with creeping ants, and almost imperceptible emmets; with humming-bees and glass beehives; with pleasant walks in shady lanes, and with thoughts directed in sweet and kindly tones and words to nature, to beauty, to acts of benevolence, to deeds of virtue, and to the source of all good to God Himself!"

"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar."

"Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith."

"Death cancels everything but truth."

"Failure is the line of least persistence."

"Few things are impossible to diligence and skill... Great works are performed, not by strength, but perseverance."