The great artist is one whom constraint exalts, for whom the obstacle is a springboard.
The essence of Capablanca's greatness is his rare talent for avoiding all that can complicate or confuse the conflict.
Since most of us spend our lives doing ordinary tasks, the most important thing is to carry them out extraordinarily well.
Great art. . . is the result of the labours of thousands of faithful craftsmen who know that they are doomed to remain for ever outside the gates of the Paradise of Perfection, but who nevertheless will give the very best there is in them because the work they do means more to them than anything else in this world.
I do not hesitate to say that the road to eminence and power, from an obscure condition, ought not to be made too easy, nor a thing too much of course. If rare merit be the rarest of all things, it ought to pass through some sort of probation. The temple of honor ought to be seated on an eminence. If it be open through virtue, let it be remembered, too, that virtue is never tried but by some difficulty and some struggle.
Strive for originality in thought and action. Be first; Be different; And be daring. Only then will you make a significant difference in this world. You may even attain greatness.
It's the little things that you do that can make a big difference. What are you attempting to accomplish? What little thing can you do today that will make you more effective? You are probably only one step away from greatness.
Anybody can work when everything goes smoothly, when there is nothing to trouble him; but a man must be made of the right kind of stuff who can rise above the things which harass and handicap the weak, and do his work in spite of them. Indeed, this is the test of greatness.
There is a sacred horror about everything grand. It is easy to admire mediocrity and hills; but whatever is too lofty, a genius as well as a mountain, an assembly as well as a masterpiece, seen too near, is appalling.
Greatness of spirit is to bear finely both good fourtune and bad, honor and disgrace, and not to think highly of luxury or attention or power or victories in contests, and to possess a certain depth and magnitude of spirit.
The great make its feel, first of all, the indifference of circumstances. They call into activity the higher perceptions, and subdue the low habits of comfort and luxury; but the higher perceptions find their objects everywhere; only the low habits need palaces and banquets.
Of all man's works of art, a cathedral is greatest. A vast and majestic tree is greater than that.
Your greatness is here and now. Your happiness is here and now.
Before we acquire great power we must acquire wisdom to use it well.
How to discover your greatness? By upgrading our relationships and by having goals beyond our comfort zone.
The great man. . . walks across his century and leaves the marks of his feet all over it, ripping out the dates on his goloshes as he passes.
Its hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world.
Men love a submissive woman, Damon said simply. Even when they say the don't. There's just something about a beautiful, soft woman looking to them to protect and take care of them that inspires a man to greatness.
It is base to take advantage of our rank or greatness by making fun of those placed beneath us in life.
Diversity for diversity's sake is nothing more than affirmative action and can make no claim to being part of America's greatness.
