The mechanism of the mind is a profound system of organized power which can be released only by one means, and that is by strict self-discipline.
The mind that is properly disciplined and directed to definite ends is an irresistible power that recognizes no such reality as permanent defeat.
It organizes defeat and converts it into victory; makes stepping-stones of stumbling-blocks; hitches its wagon to a star and uses the forces of the universe to carry it within easy grasp of its every desire.
Category: Self-Improvement
Napoleon Hill
One must remove himself from the range of influence of every person and every circumstance which has even a slight tendency to cause him to feel inferior or incapable of attaining the object of his purpose.
Positive egos do not grow in negative environments. On this point there can be no excuse for a compromise, and failure to observe it will prove fatal to the chances of success.
The line must be so clearly drawn between a man and those who exercise any form of negative influence over him that he closes the door tightly against every such person, no matter what previous ties of friendship or obligation or blood relationship may have existed between them.
Napoleon Hill
All riches, of whatsoever nature, begin as a state of mind; and let us remember that a state of mind is the one and only thing over which any person has complete, unchallenged right of control.
It is highly significant that the Creator provided man with control over nothing except the power to shape his own thoughts and the privilege of fitting them to any pattern of his choice.
Earl Nightingale
When we say about 5% achieve success, we have to define success, and here’s the definition.
Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.
If a man is working towards a predetermined goal and knows where he is going, that man is a success. If he’s not doing that, he’s a failure.
Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. Rollo May, the distinguished psychiatrist, wrote a wonderful book called Man’s Search for Himself, and in this book he says the opposite of courage in our society is not cowardness, it is conformity.
And there you have the trouble today. It’s conformity. People acting like every one else without knowing why, without knowing where they’re going.
Epictetus
If your body was turned over to just anyone, you would doubtless take exception. Why aren’t you ashamed that you have made your mind vulnerable to anyone who happens to criticize you, so that it automatically becomes confused and upset?
Epictetus
Whoever chafes at the conditions dealt by fate is unskilled in the art of life; whoever bears with them nobly and makes wise use of the results is a man who deserves to be considered good.
Heraclitus on Character
The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you do is who you become.
Your integrity is your destiny – it is the light that guides your way.
Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle.
Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.
“Meditations” Book XII: Passage XXVII
To stir up a man to the contempt of death this among other things, is of good power and efficacy, that even they who esteemed pleasure to be happiness, and pain misery, did nevertheless many of them contemn death as much as any.
And can death be terrible to him, to whom that only seems good, which in the ordinary course of nature is seasonable?
To him, to whom, whether his actions be many or few, so they be all good, is all one; and who whether he behold the things of the world being always the same either for many years, or for few years only, is altogether indifferent?
O man! As a citizen thou hast lived, and conversed in this great city the world. Whether just for so many years, or no, what is it unto thee?
Thou hast lived (thou mayest be sure) as long as the laws and orders of the city required; which may be the common comfort of all.
Why then should it be grievous unto thee, if (not a tyrant, nor an unjust judge, but) the same nature that brought thee in, doth now send thee out of the world?
As if the praetor should fairly dismiss him from the stage, whom he had taken in to act a while.
Oh, but the play is not yet at an end, there are but three acts yet acted of it?
Thou hast well said: for in matter of life, three acts is the whole play.
Now to set a certain time to every man’s acting, belongs unto him only, who as first he was of thy composition, so is now the cause of thy dissolution.
As for thyself; thou hast to do with neither. Go thy ways then well pleased and contented: for so is He that dismisseth thee.
“Meditations” Book XII: Passage XXVI
What is the present estate of my understanding? For herein lieth all indeed.
As for all other things, they are without the compass of mine own will: and if without the compass of my will, then are they as dead things unto me, and as it were mere smoke.
“Meditations” Book XII: Passage XXII
Herein doth consist happiness of life, for a man to know thoroughly the true nature of everything; what is the matter, and what is the form of it:
With all his heart and soul, ever to do that which is just, and to speak the truth.
What then remaineth but to enjoy thy life in a course and coherence of good actions, one upon another immediately succeeding, and never interrupted, though for never so little a while?