Comedy can simultaneously allow you to dive headfirst into the world's pain and escape it.
If you do not wish to be prone to anger, do not feed the habit; give it nothing which may tend to its increase.
Within our control are our own opinions, aspirations, and desires and the demons that distract us from these goals. Outside of our control are such things as what kind of body we have, whether or not we are born into wealth, and how we are regarded by others.
No matter what happens, it is within my power to turn it to my advantage.
What matters most is what sort of person you are becoming. Wise individuals care only about whom they are today and who they can be tomorrow.
The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.
Who exactly do you want to be? What kind of person do you want to be? What are your personal ideals? Whom do you admire? What are their special traits that you would make your own It's time to stop being vague. If you wish to be an extraordinary person, if you wish to become wise, then you should explicitly identify the kind of person you aspire to become. If you have a daybook, write down who you're trying to be, so that you can refer to this self-determination. Precisely describe the demeanor you want to adopt so that you may preserve it when you are by yourself or with other people.
I am persuaded, that if any attempt is made to improve the education of the poor, and such an unmanly spirit should guide the resolution of a society or committee for that purpose, it would render the design abortive.
If a man is rich and strong anywhere, it must be on his native soil. Here I have been these forty years learning the language of these fields that I may the better express myself. If I should travel to the prairies, I should much less understand them, and my past life would serve me but ill to describe them. Many a weed here stands for more of life to me than the big trees of California would if I should go there. We need only travel enough to give our intellects an airing.
Women say hello and then put their hands down my trousers. I thought it was my hand they were supposed to shake.
Truth is the foundation of all knowledge and the cement of all societies.