A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

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Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'

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A person with a clear purpose will make progress, even on the roughest road. A person with no purpose will make no progress, even on the smoothest road.

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True literature can exist only where it is created, not by diligent and trustworthy functionaries, but by madmen, hermits, heretics, dreamers, rebels, and skeptics.

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Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth.

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I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.

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Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them. - Marcus Aurelius

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You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do. — Henry Ford

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Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.

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And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more.

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