Courage

It takes courage for people to listen to their own goodness and act on it.

~ Pablo Casals (1876-1973)

Self Reliance.
I will gladly listen to the advice of older and wiser people; I will reverence the wishes of those who love and care for me; but I will learn to think for myself. I will not be afraid of being laughed at. I will not be afraid of doing right when the crowd does wrong.

~ William J. Hutchins, The National Institution of Moral Instructions, 1913

On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, “Is it safe?” Expediency asks the question, “Is it politic?” And Vanity comes along and asks the question, “Is it popular?” But Conscience asks the question “Is it right?” And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle.

~ Phillips Brooks

Life cannot wait until the sciences may have explained the universe scientifically. We cannot put off living until we are ready. The most salient characteristic of life is its coerciveness: It is always urgent, here and now without any possible postponement. Life is fired at us point-blank.

~ Jose Ortega Y Gasset