Every revolution was first a thought in one man's mind, and when the same thought occurs to another man, it is the key to that era.

It is as impossible for a man to be cheated by any one but himself, as for a thing to be and not to be at the same time

I judge the world by my own lights
and I come by my own hand.

Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can offer with the cumulative force of a whole life's cultivation, but of the adopted talent of another, you have only an extemporaneous, half possession.

We fancy men are individuals; so are pumpkins; but every pumpkin in the field goes through every point of pumpkin history

Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them. -Ralph Waldo Emerson.