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Showing 123 tag results for “virtue”

All(123) +1s(66) PhilosophersNotes(8) Authors(9) Quotes(40)

+1s (66)

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

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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

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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

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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 Mind Practice stoicism Virtue

#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

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Breathing & Conquering Anxiety

Body 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 Mind positive-psychology presence Virtue Wisdom

#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

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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

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Modern Hērō & Stoicism

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

#1126

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How to Carpe Diem Journal (v2)
#1118

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Let’s Seize the Day → TODAY!

In our last +1, we spent some more time with Robert Emmons as we talked about a new gratitude journaling practice I’m integrating into my daily Carpe Diem journaling. I actually did a video on this not too long ago where I talked about the process:

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+1 inspired by Note: Gratitude Works!

Packs:
Journaling & Masterpiece Days

big-picture big-three carpediem journal-exercise journaling masterpiece-days Mind Virtue

#1118

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How to Make an OMMS Sandwich
#1116

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Start with the Meaty-Obstacle + Add Goodness

Not too long ago we talked about how to operationalize Antifragile OMMS via a 1-2 then 1-2-3 process. Start with Wisdom + Self-Mastery then throw in some Gratitude, Hope and Zest and voila!...

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+1 inspired by Note: The Obstacle Is the Way

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Antifragility

antifragility Growth Mental Toughness Mind omms Virtue

#1116

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Curiosity
#1089

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Actualized the Optimizer

In our last +1, we talked about using data as a flashlight not a hammer. With the right (read: GROWTH) mindset, there’s no such thing as “bad” data. We’re experimenters. The data’s all neutral. Actually… When we really...

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+1 inspired by Note: The Second Mountain

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Conquering Perfectionism & Leadership

conquering-perfectionism curiosity Growth Happiness leadership Mind Virtue

#1089

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How to Cultivate Gratitude
#1069

Science Says: #1 Practice = …

Robert Emmons joined us to give us some EYE-POPPING (his words, my all caps!) stats: “People are 25 percent happier if they keep gratitude journals, sleep one-half hour more per evening, and exercise 33 percent more each week compared to persons who are not keeping these journals.” ...

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+1 inspired by Note: Gratitude Works!

Packs:
Conquering Anxiety & Journaling

conquering-anxiety Gratitude Happiness Heart journal-exercise journaling optimism Spirit Virtue

#1069

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Science Says: Gratitude Works
#1068

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Some EYE-POPPING Stats

In our last +1, we talked about the power of gratitude. We soaked up some science-wisdom from Robert Emmons, the leading researcher on gratitude, who told us that gratitude is the best approach to life. When things are going well, it amplifies the awesome. When things aren’t going so well...

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+1 inspired by Note: Gratitude Works!

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Conquering Anxiety & Conquering Depression

conquering-anxiety conquering-depression Gratitude Happiness Heart journal-exercise optimism Spirit Virtue

#1068

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Warriors’ Ascent
#1052

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Serving Those Who Serve

This morning as I was wrapping up my AM1 Deep Work time block—which, of course, was preceded by that morning’s meditation and the prior night’s bookend featuring an early shut-down complete, digital sunset and red lights at the Johnson house—I heard a tap-tap-tap on my office door. ...

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+1 inspired by Note: The Way of the SEAL

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Leadership & Modern Hērō

big-picture commitment Hero Inspiration leadership modern-hero soul Spirit Virtue

#1052

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PhilosophersNotes (8)

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

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 Mind Virtue

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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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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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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

Military Mind Modern Classic Resilience SEAL soul Spirit Virtue

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Authors (9)

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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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