Suffering is one of life’s great teachers.

Creativity is the greatest expression of liberty.

While it is important for people to see your promise you must also remember that hope is the keeper of both happiness and disappointment, the father of both progress and failure.

The ability to forgive is one of man’s greatest achievements.

Enthusiasm is the energy and force that builds literal momentum of the human soul and mind.

Most people do not actually know how to think for themselves, and unfortunately that prevents them from even knowing it.

Our understanding of the world around us is constantly being redefined and expanded, and so therefore, it is wiser to be passionate about seeking for truth than knowing it.

A mistake made by many people with great convictions is that they will let nothing stand in the way of their views, not even kindness.

The talent of a true writer and poet is in the ear.

One of the most important things one can do in life is to brutally question every single thing you are taught.

Take without forgetting, and give without remembering.

American society will never completely understand the true meaning of equality.

The test of a belief is not exclusively in the belief itself, but also in the intentions and actions of those who embrace it.

Why do we laugh at such terrible things? Because comedy is often the sarcastic realization of inescapable tragedy.

You may find many contradictory statements and philosophies within my writings. However, to this I will say such is life, for life is full of contradictions.

One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.

One column of truth cannot hold an institution of ideas from falling into ignorance. It is wiser that a person of prudence and purpose save his strength for battles that can be won.

No one is more insufferable than he who lacks basic courtesy.

True love is quiescent, except in the nascent moments of true humility.

There is little more powerful than when truth joins action.

It has been my experience that if we make the effort to listen to people when we meet them, and work to get to know them a little, it is then easy to find something likeable in practically anyone.

In all known time there has never been a greater monster or miracle than the human being.

Curiosity is one of the great secrets of happiness.

Remember that the greatest fool in the world may ask more than the wisest man can answer.

Freedom is not a gift nor does it simply exist for us to have, but rather it is a sacred duty, and its blessed yield of hope is born from none other than the blood of the innocent.

The right to justice is something that no one can bestow, nor take away, for it is in one’s heart.

It is better to have a fair intellect that is well used than a powerful one that is idle.

In the company of the accomplished, people hope it will rub off on themselves, in the company of the misfortunate, they fear it!

Sometimes power is all a person has, so they will protect it even unto their own destruction, for without power they have nothing.

There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.

A person who makes few mistakes makes little progress.

No time is better spent than that spent in the service of your fellow man.

Do not let your grand ambitions stand in the way of small but meaningful accomplishments.

Many openly show discontentment with their looks, but few with their intelligence. I, however, assure you there are many more plain minds than faces.

The greatest joys are found not only in what we do and feel, but also in what we hope for.

Never expect a loan to a friend to be paid back if you want to keep that friend.

Do not let your ambitions become a sanctuary for your failures.

If we fear the unknown then surely we fear ourselves.

Education should prepare our minds to use its own powers of reason and conception rather than filling it with the accumulated misconceptions of the past.

Death is the great hope of all life; the desire to expend itself; to be used and consumed by its own longing for itself.

It is better to have a meaningful life and make a difference than to merely have a long life.

There are amazingly wonderful people in all walks of life; some familiar to us and others not. Stretch yourself and really get to know people. People are in many ways one of our greatest treasures.

Having a sense of purpose is having a sense of self. A course to plot is a destination to hope for.

He who is silent must be agreed with, for what shall the wings of opposition thresh upon, without the winds of conversation to shoulder them.

The realities of the world seldom measure up to the sublime designs of human imagination.

Comfort in expressing your emotions will allow you to share the best of yourself with others, but not being able to control your emotions will reveal your worst.

Knowledge is that possession that no misfortune can destroy, no authority can revoke, and no enemy can control. This makes knowledge the greatest of all freedoms.

There are few surer ways to become disliked by men than to perform well where they have performed poorly.

The best way to win against the intolerable is to tolerate them, for this they have seldom dealt with. Your indulgence may soften their malice and open their eyes to more honorable ways.

Human intelligence may not be the best trick nature has to offer.

The secret to discovery is to never believe existing facts.

Courteousness is consideration for others; politeness is the method used to deliver such considerations.

Change will never happen when people lack the ability and courage to see themselves for who they are.

Self-made men often worship their creator.

Architects of grandeur are often the master builders of disillusionment.

I have never read for entertainment, but rather for understanding and to satisfy my eager curiosity.

Good manners are appreciated as much as bad manners are abhorred.

The world is not fair, and often fools, cowards, liars and the selfish hide in high places.

Yearning for the seemingly impossible is the path to human progress.

In America, educators punish those who actually think for themselves. There is only acceptance for popular opinion.

A polite enemy is just as difficult to discredit, as a rude friend is to protect.

Callousness and insolence bring to bare unanimous social condemnation, while the simple efforts of politeness are admired; even in those who are otherwise despised.

Genius is always accompanied by enthusiasm.

Truth is not a matter of fact but a state of harmony with progress and hope. Enveloped only in its wings will we ever soar to the promise of our greater selves.

Ambition is not what a man would do, but what a man does, for ambition without action is fantasy.

It is better to lose everything you have to keep the balance of justice level, than to live a life of petty privilege devoid of true freedom.

Courtesy is a silver lining around the dark clouds of civilization; it is the best part of refinement and in many ways, an art of heroic beauty in the vast gallery of man’s cruelty and baseness.

Truth is often the favorite tool of those who deceive.

The common person fears to think beyond the common.

Unfortunately, your reputation often rests not on your ability to do what you say, but rather on your ability to do what people expect.

An intelligent person is never afraid or ashamed to find errors in his understanding of things.

Where wise actions are the fruit of life, wise discourse is the pollination.

Birth and death; we all move between these two unknowns.

True education is limited to those people who would die without knowing, whereas the masses in the institutions are merely going through the motions, for education is a way of living.

Within the hearts men, loyalty and consideration are esteemed greater than success.

True freedom is where an individual’s thoughts and actions are in alignment with that which is true, correct, and of honor – no matter the personal price.

Fanatic is often the name given to people of action by people who are lazy.

Join me in my quest for a greater understanding of our existence. Join me in my desire for a greater self. Join me as I seek the humility to love and understand my fellow man.

Suffering is one of life’s great teachers.

Emotion is often what we rely upon to carry us across the unfathomable voids in our intelligence.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you have to agree with people and their beliefs to defend them from injustice.