Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.

Everything excellent is as difficult as it is rare.

The path to success is to take massive, determined action.

Stupidity is a talent for misconception.

By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.

A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem.

Learning and wisdom are superfluities, the surface glitter merely, but it is the heart that is the seat of all power.

Let him who would move the world first move himself.

Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they please.

No man has any natural authority over his fellow men.

Most of what matters in our lives takes place in our absence.

It is better to be looked over than overlooked.

There is nothing more uncommon than common sense.

To a wise and good man the whole earth is his fatherland.

Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.

So many people have this idea: I want to achieve something great or be somebody great. And they neglect the step that leads to greatness. They don't honor this step at this moment because they have this idea of some future moment where they are going to be great.

Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.

If I speak of myself in different ways, that is because I look at myself in different ways.

Your reputation is in the hands of others. That's what the reputation is. You can't control that. The only thing you can control is your character.

Never ruin an apology with an excuse.

There is a wisdom of the head, and... there is a wisdom of the heart.