When people are least sure, they are often most dogmatic.
—John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006) Canadian-Born American Economist
It is any day better to stand erect with a broken and bandaged head then to crawl on one’s belly, in order to be able to save one’s head.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Our firmest convictions are apt to be the most suspect, they mark our limitations and our bounds. Life is a petty thing unless it is moved by the indomitable urge to extend its boundaries.
—Jose Ortega y. Gasset (1883–1955) Spanish Critic, Journalist, Philosopher
The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.
—Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) American Architect
I am prepared to die, but there is no cause for which I am prepared to kill.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.
—Louis Pasteur (1822–95) French Biologist
The worth of every conviction consists precisely in the steadfastness with which it is held.
—Jane Addams (1860–1935) American Social Reformer, Feminist
It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
If I also, perhaps, stood before the prospect of
finding myself in a minority of one voice,
I humbly believe that I would have the courage
to remain in such a hopeless minority.
This is for me the only truthful position.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Faith in oneself is the best and safest course.
—Michelangelo (1475–1564) Italian Painter, Sculptor, Architect, Poet, Engineer
The true idealist pursues what his heart says
is right in a way that his head says will work.
—Richard Nixon (1913–94) American Head of State, Lawyer
The phrases that men hear or repeat continually, end by becoming convictions and ossify the organs of intelligence.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Conviction is worthless unless it is converted into conduct.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.
—Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) American Baptist Minister
Oh how sweet it is to hear one’s own convictions from another’s lips.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Those who believe that they are exclusively in the right are generally those who achieve something.
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) English Humanist, Pacifist, Essayist, Short Story Writer, Satirist
The secret of success is constancy of purpose.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Don’t foul, don’t flinch—hit the line hard.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
If we are to be a really great people, we must strive in good faith to play a great part in the world. We cannot avoid meeting great issues. All that we can determine for ourselves is whether we shall meet them well or ill.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
We must not in the course of public life expect immediate approbation and immediate grateful acknowledgment of our services. But let us persevere through abuse and even injury. The internal satisfaction of a good conscience is always present, and time will do us justice in the minds of the people, even those at present the most prejudiced against us.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
All the strength and force of man comes from his faith in things unseen. He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions. The man strongly possessed of an idea is the master of all who are uncertain and wavering. Clear, deep, living convictions rule the world.
—James Freeman Clarke (1810–88) American Unitarian Clergyman, Abolitionist, Author
Every generation of Americans needs to know
that freedom consists not in doing what we like,
but in having the right to do what we ought.
—Pope John Paul II (1920–2005) Polish Catholic Religious Leader
The human voice can never reach the distance that is covered by the still small voice of conscience.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Essential characteristics of a gentleman: The will to put himself in the place of others; the horror of forcing others into positions from which he would himself recoil; the power to do what seems to him to be right, without considering what others may say or think.
—John Galsworthy (1867–1933) English Novelist, Playwright
The miracles of genius always rest on profound convictions which refuse to be analyzed.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
To believe in something, and not to live it, is dishonest.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
If we would have anything of benefit, we must earn it, and earning it become shrewd, inventive, ingenious, active, enterprising.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
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