Success doesn't have to be something you see only on T.V. It's less to be something you see only on TV. It's less about being perfect than knowing what you're best at being properly aligned with your context. You don't need to be literally insane, like Jure Robic, but sometimes an ugly duckling can be a swan if it finds the right pond. The thing that sets you apart, the habits you may have tried to banish, the things you were taunted for in school, may ultimately grant you an unbeatable advantage.
Ryan Holiday, The 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Indeed, if you find anything in human life better than justice, truth, self control, courage — in short, anything better than the sufficiency of your own mind, which keeps you acting according to the demands of true reason and accepting what fate gives you outside of your own power of choice — I tell you, if you can see anything better than this, turn to it heart and soul and take full advantage of this greater good you've found. — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 9.5
[Satan] has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. [John 8:31-58]
Ryan Holiday, The 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Each person acquires their own character, but their official roles are designated by chance. You should invite some to your table because they are deserving, others because they may come to deserve it. — Seneca, Moral Letters, 47.15b
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Ryan Holiday, The 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Whenever you find yourself blaming providence, turn it around in your mind and you will see that what has happened is in keeping with reason. —Epictetus, Discourses, 3.17.1
At every moment keep a sturdy mind on the task at hand, as a Roman and human being, doing it with strict and simple dignity, affection, freedom, and justice- giving yourself a break from all other considerations. You can do this if you approach each task as if it is your lasts, giving up every distraction, emotional subversion of reason, and all drama, vanity and complaint over your fair share. You can see how mastery over a few things makes it possible to live an abundant and devout life- for, if you keep watch over these things, the gods won't ask for more.
Nice people are often not good people and good people are often not nice people
Ernie Zelinsky, 101 Really Important Things You Already Know but keep forgetting
We live in a culture in which a nice person is considered tantamount to being good person. The result is that many nice people are mistaken for fine human beings, when in fact, they haven't earn this distinction due to their serious character defects. On the other hand, many really good people are mistaken for having serious character defects just because they aren't the nicest people around. So what makes a good person?
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
