Cicero on the Roots of Greatness

It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment.

—Cicero (Public Domain)

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Strive to actually be that person you present to the world

The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world is to be in reality what we would appear to be; and if we observe, we shall find that all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.

—Socrates (Public Domain)

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The Mountains of Truth

On the mountains of truth, you can never climb in vain: either you will reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow.

—Friedrich Nietzsche (1875, by Friedrich Hartmann; Public Domain)

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Live a Noble Life

There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.

—Ernest Hemingway (1939, by Lloyd Arnold; Public Domain)

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In Science, as in Life

There are sadistic scientists who hurry to hunt down errors instead of establishing the truth.

—Marie Curie (1920, by Henri Manuel; Public Domain)

We all know the people. Those souls who rush quickly to point out the errors of others rather than searching for the good, striving to move closer to the truth. It becomes such a wired-in habit that most don’t even realize they have developed this character defect. They chronically pay the price, however, for approaching life in this manner; this constant judgment of others repels happiness.

Reject this path. Continually look for ways to move forward in a positive, loving manner. Do this, and your life will be filled with peace and balance.

—MSH, Penn Wealth

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Truth.

The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.

—Winston Churchill (Public Domain)

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Lord Jeffrey on Character

A good name, like good will, is got by many actions and lost by one.

—Lord Jeffrey Amherst (Public Domain)

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Character of Self and Respect for Others

Insults are the arguments employed by those who are in the wrong.

—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Public Domain)

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Think big, not small

Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.

—Marie Curie (by Henri Manuel, Public Domain)

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Jefferson on Character

Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.

—Thomas Jefferson (1800, by Rembrandt Peale; Public Domain)

…It is amazing how this simple template can help keep your actions in check.

—MSH, Penn Wealth

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