Words of Wisdom: Part I

Words of wisdom are pieces of advice passed on over the years, which influenced countless people around the world by shaping and defining their lives. Read dozens of the greatest words of wisdom of our time.

Words of wisdom are pieces of advice passed on over the years, which influenced countless people around the world by shaping and defining their lives.  Some of these words come from authors, poets, politicians, historical figures, and religious writings, whereas some seem to be as old as time itself and their origins remain unknown.  I have read and contemplated over 10,000 of these sayings, proverbs, aphorisms, and quotes over the years and have compiled a list of just over 300 that I believe bring people closer to success.  Over the next three lessons, I will share these with you.  Don't just read each one, contemplate its meaning and consider these words of wisdom: One line of wisdom can change your life more than volumes of books.

Action

• Be afraid only of standing still
• Spend your time and energy creating not criticizing
• Action without thought is like shooting without aim
• Suppressing a moment of anger may save a day of sorrow
• Motion is not necessarily action
• Action first, prayer second
• Do more, hope less
• He who knows no laziness will know prosperity
• Do something every day that you don't want to do, but know you should do
• Every action has an opposite and equal reaction
• Every man must bear the consequences of his own actions
• Constant occupation prevents temptation
• Inactivity breeds ignorance
• If you do nothing, nothing will happen
• If you wish for a thing and do not get it, try working for it
• The smallest deed is better than the grandest intention
• It is never too late in life to make a new start
• Do things that make you smarter
• The energy we use in getting even would be better spent in getting ahead
• A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step
• There are those who wait for something to happen, and those who make something happen
• Oversleeping will never make your dreams come true
• There are those who have ideas and there are those who do something about them
• Imagine what you would attempt to do if you knew you couldn't fail, then do it

Adversity

• Face adversity with a smile
• You learn more from people who disagree with you than from those who agree with you
• See problems as opportunities for growth and self-mastery
• With no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant
• The crisis of yesterday is the joke of tomorrow
• Accept temporary inconvenience for a permanent improvement
• Don't let a rut become a grave
• The best way to handle any crisis is to remain calm

Anger

• Don't criticize others when you are angry with yourself
• Let anger die quickly
• One who cannot tolerate small ills will find it hard to accomplish great things
• Do not become angry with people who do not agree with your opinion
• Every minute you are angry you lose 60 seconds of happiness
• Keep your head when those around you are losing theirs
• Don't carry grudges
• No situation is so bad that losing your temper will not make it worse
• Let go of anger; it hurts you more than the person at whom you are angry
• Bury the hatchet
• Showing anger is a sign of weakness

Arguing

• The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it
• Never say, "You're wrong!"
• If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically
• The weaker the argument, the stronger the words
• Do not argue if you know you are wrong
• Show respect for other people's opinions
• It is not who is right but what is right that's important
• It takes two to fight

Assistance

• Don't be afraid to ask for help

Attitude

• Think positively and positive things will happen
• The best is yet to be
• Focus on the big picture
• Even the longest day will come to an end
• Concentrate on your strengths instead of dwelling on your weaknesses
• The optimist sees the doughnut, the pessimist sees the hole
• Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst
• The willingness to do creates the ability to do
• Expect nothing and you will not be disappointed
• If you look hard enough, you can find the positive in any situation
• Improve your performance by improving your attitude
• No one can make you feel inferior without your consent
• Change your thoughts and you will change your mood
• Avoid negative people, places, and things
• You cannot lose what you never had
• Everything is good for something

Belief

• Faith is stronger than hope
• Believe in the goodness of others
• Everything happens for a good reason

Benevolence

• Forgive and forget
• Be kind to strangers
• Try to make someone happy each and every day
• Show respect for all living things
• Don't talk about people behind their backs
• Be kind to the unkind
• It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice
• Be the first to forgive
• Society succeeds when it is easy for people to do good deeds
• Compliment people every day
• Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely
• Make others feel appreciated
• Choose being kind over being right
• Don't deny anyone the opportunity to do something nice for you
• Value all life
• Lift people up
• If you want to feel good, help others
• Always stop to think when your fun will cause another's unhappiness
• Let the other person save face
• Within each person is a treasure, but sometimes you have to dig for it
• Say hello to others

Change

• If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten
• Dump your unwanted baggage

Character

• Character is what we are; reputation is what others think we are
• Personality opens doors; character keeps them open
• Never promise more than you are willing to give
• Adversity tests whether you are what you thought you were
• Give people more than they expect -- cheerfully
• Practice what you preach
• Keep an open mind
• Ability helps you get to the top, but character keeps you from falling
• Perform whatever you promise
• Remember the power of kindness
• Never subtract from your character to add to your popularity
• Share the credit
• People with tact have less to retract
• Never use profanity
• Do more than is expected
• Maturity is about experience, not age
• Keep your promises
• Be genuinely interested in other people
• If you take care of your character, your reputation will take care of itself
• A person's reputation can be ruined by one lie
• Don't keep people waiting

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