Words to inspire by influential people

The final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.  Anne Frank

The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win.  Roger Bannister

Sacrifices are concerned with the feeling of devotion and longing.  Xun Zi

Compassion brings us to a stop, and for a moment we rise above ourselves.  Mason Cooley

Big results require big ambitions. Heraclitus

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.  Joseph Campbell

The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others. Albert Schweitzer

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. Aesop

The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Photography credit - David Gonzalez

Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success. Henry Ford

Writing is good, thinking is better. Cleverness is good, patience is better. Herman Hesse

A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.  Martin Luther King, Jr.

You never know where a blessing can come from. Teena Marie

Difficulties are things that show a person what they are. Epictetus

Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings. Salvador Dali

Everyone has a chance to learn, improve, and build up their skills. Tom Peters

You are always a student, never a master. You have to keep moving forward. Conrad Hall

Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard.  Colin Powell

Pray, and let God worry. Martin Luther

All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. Abraham Lincoln

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. Steve Jobs

Endurance is patience concentrated. Thomas Carlyle

Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher. William Wordsworth

The people who influence you are the people who believe in you. Henry Drummond

Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed.  Arthur Schopenhauer

Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind. Theodore Roosevelt

Patience is the art of hoping. Luc de Clapiers

Connect with those who remind you who you are. Ralph Smart

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. Dipanjoy Seal

If you can accept losing, you can't win.  Vince Lombardi