If you’re looking for a formula for greatness, the closest we’ll ever get, I think, is this: Consistency driven by a deep love of the work.
~ Maria Popova
Elsewhere, this is 4a1054. — slipbox
Consistency →
Philosophy →
In truth, there is no divorce between philosophy and life.
~ Simone de Beauvoir
Elsewhere, this is 4a1053. — slipbox
Culture, passion, curiosity →
If culture is sufficient to establish what we eat, how we speak, and ten thousand other societal norms, why isn’t it able to teach us a process to make art? Isn’t it possible for the culture to normalize goal setting and passion and curiosity and the ability to persuade? It can. And you don’t have to wait for it to happen. You can begin now.
~ Seth Godin
Elsewhere, this is 4a1052. — slipbox
Assertion →
Your spirit must constantly assert itself because your body is constantly exerting itself. As soon as you stop working at your spirit, then your body will have complete power over you.
~ Leo Tolstoy
Elsewhere, this is 4a1051. — slipbox
The way →
There is no way to happiness— Happiness is the way.
~ Thích Nhất Hạnh
Elsewhere, this is 4a1050. — slipbox
A great many troubles →
I am an old man, and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.
~ Mark Twain
Elsewhere, this is 4a1049. — slipbox
First principle →
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.
~ Richard Feynman
Elsewhere, this is 4a1048. — slipbox
The best of their thoughts →
I was aware that the reading of all good books is indeed like a conversation with the noblest men of past centuries who were the authors of them, nay a carefully studied conversation, in which they reveal to us none but the best of their thoughts.
~ René Descartes
Elsewhere, this is 4a1047. — slipbox
Real goodness →
Real goodness is not something that can be acquired in an instant, but only through constant effort, because real goodness lies in constantly striving for perfection.
~ Leo Tolstoy
Elsewhere, this is 4a1046. — slipbox
Quitting →
Quitting, for me, means not giving up, but moving on; Changing direction not because something doesn’t agree with you, but because you don’t agree with something. It’s not a complaint, in other words, but a positive choice, and not a stop in one’s journey, but a step in a better direction. Quitting—whether a job or a habit—means taking a turn so as to be sure you’re still moving in the direction of your dreams.
~ Pico Iyer
Elsewhere, this is 4a1045. — slipbox