They criticize me for harping on the obvious; if all the folks in the United States would do the few simple things they know they ought to do, most of our big problems would take care of themselves.
Calvin CoolidgeRead
Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character.
Interpretation
The focus on discipline and hard work builds personal character rather than just financial success.
Calvin Coolidge emphasizes that the virtues of industry, thrift, and self-control are valuable not solely for the wealth they generate, but for the character they instill in individuals. These qualities contribute to a person's integrity and moral fortitude, shaping their identity and influence in society.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal development, this quote can inspire the audience to focus on building their character.
They criticize me for harping on the obvious; if all the folks in the United States would do the few simple things they know they ought to do, most of our big problems would take care of themselves.
It is difficult for men in high office to avoid the malady of self-delusion. They are always surrounded by worshipers. They are constantly, and for the most part sincerely, assured of their greatness.
America's present need is not heroics, but healing; not nostrums, but normalcy; not revolution, but restoration; not agitation, but adjustment; not surgery, but serenity; not the dramatic, but the dispassionate; not experiment, but equipoise; not submergence in internationality, but sustainment in triumphant nationality.
No method of procedure has ever been devised by which liberty could be divorced from local self-government. No plan of centralization has ever been adopted which did not result in bureaucracy, tyranny, inflexibility, reaction, and decline.
Whether one traces his Americanism back three centuries to the Mayflower, or three years to the steerage, is not half so important as whether his Americanism of today is real and genuine. No matter by what various crafts we came here, we are all now in the same boat.
The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.
Attitude is a paintbrush. It colors everything!
Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts, cause your mind to dwell on peace and joy.
When you release the wrongdoer from the wrong, you cut a malignant tumor out of your inner life. You set a prisoner free, but you discover that the real prisoner was yourself.
When you want wisdom and insight as badly as you want to breathe, it is then you shall have it.
Whatever makes you weird is probably your greatest asset.
The appearance of things changes according to the emotions; and thus we see magic and beauty in them, while the magic and beauty are really in ourselves.
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