People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher or better than themselves.

People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher or better than themselves.

The ruin of the human heart is self-interest, which the American merchant calls self-service. We have become a self-service populace, read more

The ruin of the human heart is self-interest, which the American merchant calls self-service. We have become a self-service populace, and all our specious comforts --the automatic elevator, the escalator, the cafeteria --are depriving us of volition and moral and physical energy.

One must be truthful with oneself about one's own motives, especially if one is to survive in the world. It read more

One must be truthful with oneself about one's own motives, especially if one is to survive in the world. It takes rigor, and it takes courage.

Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.

Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.

Self-denial is painful for a moment, but very agreeable in the end.

Self-denial is painful for a moment, but very agreeable in the end.

If you aren't good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone, since you'll resent the time read more

If you aren't good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone, since you'll resent the time and energy you give another person that you aren't even giving to yourself.

Self-observation brings man to the realization of the necessity of self-change. And in observing himself a man notices that self-observation read more

Self-observation brings man to the realization of the necessity of self-change. And in observing himself a man notices that self-observation itself brings about certain changes in his inner processes. He begins to understand that self-observation is an instrument of self-change, a means of awakening.

To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular read more

To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the prerogative of mindlessness, but the exact opposite: It is the reward of self-esteem.

Self-confidence is the result of a successfully survived risk.

Self-confidence is the result of a successfully survived risk.