Life Principles -- Wisdom From Around the World

 By Denise Miller Holmes, The Witty Wise Woman

Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds. — Franklin Delano Roosevelt (U. S. President)

Genius is one percent inspiration, and ninety-nine percent perspiration. — Thomas A. Edison (inventor; director of research and development at The American Deodorant Company (jk))

This is a society where everyone can rise as high and as far as his own ability will take him. — Ronald Reagan

Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is. — Vince Lombardi (famous football coach)

A kind word has never broken anyone’s mouth. — Irish Proverb (a proverb from Ireland 😁)

Wisdom for Life -- Wisdom Sayings from the Founding Fathers

 By Denise Miller Holmes

Benjamin Franklin by Joseph Duplessis, 1778

Fools Should be Quiet
“The learned fool writes his nonsense in better languages than the unlearned, but still it is nonsense.” — Benjamin Franklin in Poor Richard’s Almanac

Counting is the Best Medicine
“When angry, count to ten before you speak; if very angry, a hundred.” — Thomas Jefferson


It’s Lonely at the Moral Top
“Always stand on principle . . . even if you stand alone.” — John Quincy Adams, who fought for the term “unalienable rights” to be written into the Declaration of Independence, even though he stood alone. :D


Several Opinions Take you to Success
“In a multitude of counselors, there is the best chance for honesty, if not of wisdom.” — James Madison


What Motivates You?
“Three things prompt men to a regular discharge of their duty in time of Action: natural bravery, hope of reward, and fear of punishment.” — George Washington

Success and Self-improvement Principles -- Wisdom from Around the World

Knock Down Obstacles, then Succeed
“The virtuous person focuses first on the obstacles that must be overcome in an endeavor, and success should be his secondary consideration: this is called perfect virtue.”—Confucius, 551-479 B.C.E., Chapter 6, The Analects

Distracted by Comfort
“Do not bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it.”—Thomas Jefferson

High Wisdom
“The highest form of wisdom is kindness.”—The Talmud

Aim for Quality
When you’re out of quality, you’re out of business.”—Anonymous