The Impact of a Few Words

Throughout my life, I’ve looked to others for great knowledge and inspiration. A lot of the wonderful advice and ideas I’ve found have been in books but sometimes, just a few words can really lift my life when I take time to think about them.

Here are a few favorite quotes that I believe can really help us all if we stop to think about how they apply to our own lives.

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear. ~Socrates

The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can. ~Robert Cushing

The searching out and thorough investigation of truth ought to be the primary study of man. ~Cicero

The only journey is the journey within. ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Know thyself means this: that you get acquainted with what you know, and what you can do. ~Menander

Yes, know thyself: in great concerns or small, Be this thy care, for this, my friend, is all. ~Juvenal

Collect as precious pearls the words of the wise and virtuous. ~Abd-el-Kadar

If we do not plant knowledge when young, it will give us no shade when we are old. ~Lord Chesterfield

If you have an hour, will you not improve that hour instead of idling it away? ~Lord Chesterfield

Follow your honest convictions and stay strong. ~William Thackeray

He that will not reflect is a ruined man. ~Asian Proverb

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow. ~Doug Firebaugh

So what do you think? Did one or two, or maybe all of these, make you stop and think? Did you discover something you’ve needed to learn but maybe didn’t know you needed? Whatever quote or quotes really struck you, take them to heart this week and see how just a few words can really lift your life.