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All(132) +1s(72) PhilosophersNotes(9) Authors(11) Quotes(40)

+1s (72)

Draw Your Line in the Dirt
#1277

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And Get to It. Repeat. Forever.

Today I want to go spend another minute or three with Trevor Moawad and some more wisdom from his great book It Takes What It Takes. Let’s flip to the last pa...

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+1 inspired by Note: It Takes What It Takes

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Leadership & Self-Image

commitment Inspiration leadership Mind Power self-image service Virtue

#1277

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Shall We Pray Together?
#1274

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The Optimize Virtue Prayer

In our last +1, we talked about the potential catalytic force multiplicative power of our Optimize Coach program. I invited you to join us for our next Optimize Coach Class (Class IV!!) that starts on January 1st, ...

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+1 inspired by Note: Future Visions

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Modern Hērō & Purpose

big-picture Eudaimonia flourish modern-hero purpose soul Spirit Virtue

#1274

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Eudaimantra
#1243

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How to Extend Sovereignty Over the Mind

Earlier today I wrapped up a few Time Blocks of (pre-inputs) Deep Work (3.9 hours to be precise!) as I finished my Note on Mark Hyman’s new book called

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+1 inspired by Note: Strength in the Storm

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Antifragility & Conquering Anxiety

antifragility conquering-anxiety equanimity Mental Toughness self-awareness Virtue Work

#1243

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Opening Hero Doors
#1236

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Cardinals, Campbell, Rohr and You

In our last +1, we talked about my new favorite bird: the cardinal. I smile every time I see one these days—which is often—as I appreciate their beauty AND get a wonderful reminder of our four cardinal virtues. When I learned that the bird-cardinal was named after the Roman Catholic ...

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+1 inspired by Note: Falling Upward

Packs:
Modern Hērō & Purpose

big-picture Hero modern-hero purpose soul Spirit Virtue wildly-important-goals

#1236

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Meet My New Favorite Bird
#1235

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Can You Guess What It Is?

As we’ve discussed countless times, I start my days with at least a minute or three of journaling. These days it’s a super-quick sketch of our

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+1 inspired by Note: Falling Upward

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Journaling & Modern Hērō

big-picture flourish journaling modern-hero soul Spirit Virtue

#1235

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The Neuroscience of Seneca
#1208

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Pleasant + Honorable = The Same

In our last couple +1s, we’ve been talking about the power of Celebration to help us hack our brains to accelerate the process of creating new habits. Today I want to spend a little more time in BJ Fogg’s...

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+1 inspired by Note: Tiny Habits

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Algorithms & Habits

algorithms Eudaimonia flourish Habits productivity Virtue Work

#1208

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Changing Times
#1182

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Call for Unchanging Principles

In our last +1, we talked about Jesus, Tolle and You and your House on the Rock. I mentioned the fact that Tom Morris leaned on Jesus’ wisdom in his great book on how to deal with life’s inevitable lemons appropriately called

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+1 inspired by Note: Plato’s Lemonade Stand

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Modern Hērō & Stoicism

modern-hero Philosophy Practice soul Spirit stoicism Virtue Wisdom

#1182

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Eudaimonism vs. Hedonism
#1166

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Don’t Want to Be Depressed? Science Says…

In our last +1, we talked about the fact that when we go after accumulating more and more “stuff” (whether that’s the latest gadgets or Instagram likes), we often find ourselves working harder and harder but not getting any happier. We’re stuck on what scientists call a ...

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+1 inspired by Note: What Doesn't Kill Us

Packs:
Conquering Anxiety & Conquering Depression

conquering-anxiety conquering-depression Eudaimonia flourish Happiness soul Spirit Virtue

#1166

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Eudaimonic Treadmills
#1165

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Note: There Aren’t Any

Have you ever heard of “hedonic treadmills”? We talked about them briefly a few years ago in the context of this +1 on the science of hedonic adaptation. Basic idea: We adapt to ...

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+1 inspired by Note: The Myths of Happiness

Packs:
Conquering Anxiety & Conquering Depression

conquering-anxiety conquering-depression Eudaimonia flourish Happiness soul Spirit Virtue

#1165

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"The Tyranny of Positive Thinking”
#1164

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And How to Avoid It

In our last few +1s, we’ve been Optimizing our Optimism. After hanging out with some long-lived nuns, we spent some time with Marin Seligman (NOT SMOKING two packs a day) then we spent some time with Sonja Lyubomirsky (journaling on our awesome future lives). Today I want to go bac...

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+1 inspired by Note: Positive Psychology and the Body

Packs:
Positive Psychology & Stoicism

Eudaimonia Happiness positive-psychology soul Spirit stoicism Virtue WOOP

#1164

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Disaster =
#1152

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Virtue’s Opportunity

If you haven’t noticed, I can’t quite get enough of Stoic wisdom. In fact, I can’t quite get enough of ancient (Stoic) wisdom AND modern science—which is why I’ve been on a little streak of reading one positive psychology book then a Stoic book then another science of ...

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+1 inspired by Note: The Stoic Art of Living

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Antifragility & Stoicism

antifragility Grit Mental Toughness Practice stoicism Virtue Work

#1152

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Balloon Breathing
#1144

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For Kids (and Their Parents)

In our last +1, we practiced some virtue mastery via our new (and always-evolving) Virtuegong practice. How about a super-quick practice together? It’s always a good time for a little virtue Optimizing, eh? 🤓 If you feel so inspired… Sit or stand as the most powe...

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+1 inspired by Note: The Oxygen Advantage

Packs:
Breathing & Conquering Anxiety

Breathing conquering-anxiety Energy Fundamentals Health Virtue

#1144

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Virtuegong
#1143

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Qigong + Virtue for the Win!

I’ve been doing a super-simple Qigong practice for years. (Thank you, Michael Gelb for getting the balls rolling!!) Every.single.time I hit the Trail in Ojai, I stop at the exact same spot faci...

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+1 inspired by Note: Creativity on Demand

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Meditation & Positive Psychology

Actualization meditation positive-psychology presence Virtue Wisdom Work

#1143

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The Optimize Compass
#1128

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And How to Make One

As I was preparing for our Mastery Series Module on Hero-ology (aka: The Study of a Good Hero), I was having fun thinking about how to operationalize Joseph Campbell’s wisdom on the hero’s journey. One of the things I decided to do was give our heroes (that would be all of us) the n...

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+1 inspired by Note: A Joseph Campbell Companion

Packs:
Journaling & Modern Hērō

big-picture carpediem Coach Hero journaling modern-hero soul Spirit Virtue

#1128

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The Good Life
#1126

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vs. The Good Mood

Not too long ago, we had fun revisiting some Stoic wisdom as we mined some goodness with a range of books—including Musonius Rufus’s Lecture...

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+1 inspired by Note: The Practicing Stoic

Packs:
Modern Hērō & Stoicism

big-picture Eudaimonia modern-hero process soul Spirit stoicism Virtue

#1126

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PhilosophersNotes (9)

Happy Together

Using the Science of Positive Psychology to Build Love That Lasts

by Suzann Pileggi Pawelski, MAPP, James O. Pawelski Ph.D.

Suzie and James Pawelski are two of the world's leading positive psychologists. James cofounded the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania with Martin Seligman while Suzie is a graduate of the program and a leading freelance writer and consultant. Together they've written an incredible book on "Using the Science of Positive Psychology to Build Love That Lasts." I’ve been waiting for a very long time for the book that would make me say: “READ THIS BOOK if you want to figure out how to integrate Ancient Wisdom + Modern Science + Practical Tools to Optimize your relationship.” And, well, THIS book is it. I HIGHLY recommend it. In fact, it's not only my #1 Love book recommendation, it's also cracked the Top 10 all-time greatest list. Big Ideas we explore include The Relationship Gym (hit it!), Aristotelian Lovers (the REAL Soul Mates), SNAP (James geniuses x2), Know Thy... (self and thy partner!), and Love Is an Action Verb (let's commit to flourishing together TODAY!).

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Love & Positive Psychology

Best of Optimize Love positive-psychology Virtue

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The Power of Character Strengths

Appreciate and Ignite Your Positive Personality

by Robert E. McGrath, Ryan M. Niemiec

Ryan Niemiec and Robert McGrath are two of the leading figures in the positive psychology movement and, more specifically, within the organization called the VIA Institute on Character. (VIA is short for “Virtues in Action.”) The organization has played a leading role in the study of virtue as it applies to flourishing. It was created by Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson who worked with over 50 scientists to create a deeper understanding of the power of character strengths. They also created the VIA Inventory of Strengths test that has been taken by millions of people from around the world. Ryan is the Education Director of the VIA Institute while Robert is the Senior Scientist. This book is “An Official Guide from the VIA Institute on Character” that helps us “Appreciate and Ignite Your Positive Personality.” Big Ideas we explore include a quick look at the VIA origin story, the 24 character strengths (you know the Top 5?), finding balance (underuse vs. overuse vs. optimal use!) and the Top 2: Hope + Zest!

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Positive Psychology

positive-psychology Virtue

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The Nicomachean Ethics

by Aristotle

Aristotle's writings have been extraordinarily influential since ancient times. This treatise is named after his son and is a collection of his lecture notes--imagining attending his Lyceum and listening to him teach 2,300 years ago! Of course, it's packed with culture-changing Big Ideas. Some of my favorites we cover include the ultimate end: eudaimonic happiness (vs. "happiness" as most of us think about it!), how to achieve that eudaimonia (hint: "virtuous activity of the soul" aka areté), how to win the Olympic Games (hint: you can't just show up; you need to ACT!), the doctrine of the mean (and the vice of deficiency + excess) and the virtue of magnanimity: meet YOUR great soul.

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Antifragility & Habits & Modern Hērō

Ancient Wisdom Best of Optimize courage Eudaimonia Habits Happiness Virtue

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Eight Pillars of Prosperity

From: Mind Is the Master - The Complete James Allen Treasury

by James Allen

James Allen wrote As a Man Thinketh—one of the all-time classics of old-school inspirational self-help. As it turns out, he wrote a *ton* of other stuff as well. He was an incredibly (!) prolific and lucid writer. Big Ideas we explore in this Note include the eight pillars of prosperity, why energy is a moral virtue, the power of kindness and generosity and how to tap into the soul of genius.

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Abundance & Purpose

20th Century Classic Character Virtue Work

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The Inner Citadel

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius

by Pierre Hadot

Pierre Hadot was one of the most influential historians of ancient philosophy. In this book, he gives us an incredible look at Marcus Aurelius and his classic Meditations. You can feel Hadot’s incredible intellectual rigor and equally incredible passion for engaged philosophy. It’s inspiring. Big Ideas we explore include spiritual exercises, your inner citadel, your daimōn, amor fate, turning obstacles upside down and carpe areté.

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Antifragility & Stoicism

Modern Classic Philosophy soul Spirit Top 101 Virtue

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The Power of Ideals

The Real Story of Moral Choice

by William Damon, Anne Colby

William Damon and Anne Colby are two of the world’s leading researchers in the field of moral psychology. They’re both Professors at Stanford and have been married for 30+ years. This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking book that challenges the “new science of morality”’s view that morality is essentially biologically and socially determined. Damon and Colby argue that we all have the power to cultivate our more noble, moral possibilities. Big Ideas we explore include a quick look at our moral exemplars, moral agency, and the three virtues we want to cultivate: Truth + Humility + Faith.

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Leadership & Positive Psychology

Character Faith Humility Modern Classic Morality soul Spirit Virtue

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Noble Purpose

The Joy of Living a Meaningful Life

by William Damon

William Damon is one of the world’s leading scientists studying human development and the psychology of morality. In this book, he gives us a guide to discovering and creating our noble purpose. Big Ideas we explore include making a distinction between noble and heroic, the ultimate purpose formula, 9 tips on how to cultivate your noble purpose, the one phrase your advisor should whisper in your ears when you’ve achieved ultimate success, and how to create true, sustainable happiness.

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Mommahood & Purpose

Calling Modern Classic soul Spirit Virtue

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The Road to Character

by David Brooks

In today’s world, the road to character has a much less defined map than the road to external success. In this thoughtful, penetrating book, New York Times op-ed columnist and author David Brooks walks us through the evolution of our culture away from a character ethic toward a society all about what he calls the “Big Me.” And, of course, he shows us the way back to character. Big Ideas we explore include résumé virtues vs. eulogy virtues, answering the summons, conquering yourself, living for holiness and becoming strongest at your weakest point.

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Leadership & Modern Hērō & Purpose

Character Modern Classic service soul Spirit Virtue

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Resilience

Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life

by Eric Greitens

Resilience. As Eric Greitens tells us, it's not so much about bouncing back as it is about moving through. And this former Navy SEAL, Rhodes Scholar, boxing champion and humanitarian who's been recognized as one of the greatest leaders in the world, knows a ton about how to cultivate it by embracing failure, forging our purpose and living with virtue. Note: We’re keeping our Notes on Eric’s books up on the site as a powerful reminder of a) how hard it is to truly live these ideas and b) how important it is to trust OURSELVES as our ultimate advisors.

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Antifragility & Stoicism

Mental Toughness Military Modern Classic Resilience SEAL soul Spirit Virtue Work

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Authors (11)

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Quotes (40)

“I have no illusions that anyone can change the world in a short time... Yet I do believe that even a few people, who want to understand, to help and to do the right thing for great numbers of people instead of for the few can help.’”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Quotes On Character Faith Humility Modern Classic Morality Virtue

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“This is a central thread of world wisdom throughout the ages. Fulfillment and peace of mind come not from trying to create the most attractive possible self but from taking the focus off the self: not thinking less of oneself, but thinking of oneself less.”

William Damon & Anne Colby

Quotes On Character Faith Humility Modern Classic Morality Virtue

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“Benjamin Franklin wrote, ‘In reality, there is perhaps no one of our natural Passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, it is still alive... For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my Humility.’”

William Damon & Anne Colby

Quotes On Character Faith Humility Modern Classic Morality Virtue

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“When individuals are described as persons of integrity, this generally means that moral values and goals are central to who they are and, at least as important, it means that they don’t often rationalize their violations of those values in order to let themselves off the hook. The avoidance of rationalization (which we call inner truthfulness) is widely recognized as a central feature of strong moral character.”

William Damon & Anne Colby

Quotes On Character Faith Humility Modern Classic Morality Virtue

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“In judging our progress as individuals, we tend to concentrate on external factors such as one’s social position, influence, and popularity, wealth and standard of education. ... But internal factors may be even more crucial in assessing one’s development as a human being. Honesty, sincerity, simplicity, humility, pure generosity, absence of vanity, readiness to serve others—qualities which are within easy reach of every soul—are the foundations of one’s spiritual life.”

Nelson Mandela

Quotes On Character Faith Humility Modern Classic Morality Virtue

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“Although we recognize the role that gut responses can play, we reject extreme positions of biological determinism that characterize the entire human moral sense as driven by nonconscious responses.”

William Damon & Anne Colby

Quotes On Character Faith Humility Modern Classic Morality Virtue

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“We are under a moral obligation in choosing our experiences, since the result of those experiences must ultimately determine our understanding of life. We determine our ideals by our daily actions and decisions.”

Jane Addams

Quotes On Character Faith Humility Modern Classic Morality Virtue

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“I don’t know Who—or what—put the question, I don’t know when it was put. I don’t even remember answering. But at some moment I did answer Yes to Someone—or Something—and from that hour I was certain that existence is meaningful and that, therefore, my life, in self-surrender, had a goal.”

Dag Hammarskjöld

Quotes On Character Faith Humility Modern Classic Morality Virtue

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“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”

Helen Keller

Quotes On Calling Modern Classic Virtue

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“Character is that which reveals moral purpose.”

Aristotle

Quotes On Calling Modern Classic Virtue

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“The man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder—waif, a nothing, a no man. Have a purpose in life, and, having it, throw such strength of mind and muscle into your work as God has given you.”

Thomas Carlyle

Quotes On Calling Modern Classic Virtue

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“One thing I know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”

Albert Schweitzer

Quotes On Calling Modern Classic Virtue

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“Nothing contributes so much to tranquilizing the mind as a steady purpose—a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye.”

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Quotes On Calling Modern Classic Virtue

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“The secret of success is constancy of purpose.”

Benjamin Disraeli

Quotes On Calling Modern Classic Virtue

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“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Quotes On Calling Modern Classic Virtue

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“Have a purpose in life, and throw yourself into your work with all the strength of mind and muscle as God has given.”

Thomas Carlyle

Quotes On Calling Modern Classic Virtue

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“The genius of this conception is that as people become more dependent on God, their capacity for ambition and action increases. Dependency doesn’t breed passivity; it breeds energy and accomplishment”

David Brooks

Quotes On Character Modern Classic service Virtue

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“The first step to greatness is to be honest.”

Samuel Johnson

Quotes On Character Modern Classic service Virtue

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“The safe and general antidote against sorrow is employment. ... Sorrow is a kind of rust of the soul, which every new idea contributes in its passage to scour away. It is the putrefaction of stagnant life and is remedied by exercise and motion.”

Samuel Johnson

Quotes On Character Modern Classic service Virtue

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“The purpose of the struggle against sin and weakness is not to ‘win.’ Because that is not possible; it is to get better at waging it.”

David Brooks

Quotes On Character Modern Classic service Virtue

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