The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Thomas CarlyleRead
Pin your faith to no ones sleeves, haven't you two eyes of your own.
Interpretation
Rely on your own judgment rather than blindly following others.
This quote emphasizes the importance of using your own discernment and critical thinking instead of placing your trust entirely in someone else's opinions or actions. It serves as a reminder that each individual has the capacity to see and judge things for themselves, encouraging personal responsibility and independence in decision-making.
In practice
In a motivational speech about self-reliance and decision-making.
The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Thirty millions, mostly fools.
There is a great discovery still to be made in literature, that of paying literary men by the quantity they do not write.
For the superior morality, of which we hear so much, we too would desire to be thankful: at the same time, it were but blindness to deny that this superior morality is properly rather an inferior criminality, produced not by greater love of Virtue, but by greater perfection of Police; and of that far subtler and stronger Police, called Public Opinion.
Enjoying things which are pleasant; that is not the evil; it is the reducing of our moral self to slavery by them that is.
Clean undeniable right, clear undeniable might: either of these once ascertained puts an end to battle. All battle is a confused experiment to ascertain one and both of these.
Some people are born mediocre, some people achieve mediocrity, and some people have mediocrity thrust upon them.
Labour may be a burden and a chastisement, but it is also an honour and a glory. Without it, nothing can be accomplished.
There's nothing you can do to see β it is a gift.
I often tease young people about their concern for how they look; more important is inner beauty - compassion, affection and respect.
Within the heart of every person exists the flame of wisdom that transforms all suffering into kindling for the fire of creative energy.
Men get opinions as boys learn to spell by reiteration chiefly.
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