The quote database

A wise man gives way to tears in some cases, and cannot avoid them in others.

Not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears, but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is abundantly sufficient; for he that is so, wants nothing.

A good conscience fears no witnesses, but a guilty conscience is solicitous even of solitude.

Make trial how the life of a good man succeeds with you, the life of one who is content with the lot appointed him by Providence

Am I equipped for nothing but to lie among the bed-clothes and keep warm?

In rest you go beyond these limits, and beyond what is enough; but in action you do not fill the measure, and remain well within your powers.

if you see that anything is within man's power, and part of his proper work, conclude that you also may attain to it

Acquire a method of perceiving how all things change into one another.

Spend, then, the fleeting remnant of your time in a spirit that accords with Nature, and depart contentedly.

Fear proceeds from the same things when absent which occasion grief when present.

The fact is that old age is respectable just as long as it asserts itself, maintains its proper rights, and is not enslaved to any one.

In that category before anything else comes old age, to which all wish to attain, and at which all grumble when attained.

In the face of a true friend a man sees as it were a second self.

Surely the United States Senate is big enough to take self-criticism and self-appraisal.

He who experiments must, while doing so, divest himself of every preconception.

Overlooking partial and temporary evils as inseparable from the practical operation of all human institutions, and looking only to the general result, every patriot has reason to be satisfied.

I had, and still have, determined perseverance, but I soon found that it was in vain to occupy my mind beyond a certain time.

I do not wish them to have power over men; but over themselves

The being who patiently endures injustice, and silently bears insults, will soon become unjust, or unable to discern right from wrong.

Life is a verb. We try our best. We don’t always do our best.

Life’s not easy…don’t try and make it that way. It’s not fair, it never was, it isn’t now, it won’t ever be.

They may be truths to me, but don’t think that that makes them mine… because you can’t own a truth.

Give others and yourself more credit. It just happened, you witnessed it, you just did it, believe it.

You are going to make mistakes — own them, make amends, and move on. Guilt and regret kills many a man before their time. Turn the page, get off the ride.

Instead of denying these fears, declare them, say them out loud, admit them, give them the credit they deserve.