How many on their deathbeds wished they'd spent more time at the office - or watching TV? The answer is, No one.
Stephen CoveyRead
Once we are self-aware, we must choose purposes and principles to live by; otherwise the vacuum will be filled, and we will lose our self-awareness and become like groveling animals who live primarily for survival and propagation. People who exist on that level aren't living; they are "being lived".
Interpretation
What this quote means
Self-awareness leads to conscious choices about how to live, rather than merely existing.
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in guiding our lives. It suggests that without a conscious selection of values and goals, individuals risk falling into a primitive state, driven merely by survival instincts. Covey warns against a passive existence, encouraging people to actively shape their lives with intention and principles.
Themes
Self-AwarenessChoicesPrinciplesExistenceSurvival
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth.
More from Stephen Covey
All quotes →If you want to have a more pleasant, cooperative teenager, be a more understanding, empathic, consistent, loving parent. If you want to have more freedom, more latitude in your job, be a more responsible, a more helpful, a more contributing employee.
Stephen CoveyRead
Listen with your eyes for feelings.
Stephen CoveyRead
If we live out of our memory, we're tied to the past and to that which is finite. When we live out of our imagination, _x000D_ we're tied to that which is infinite.
Stephen CoveyRead
Synergy is the highest activity of life; it creates new untapped alternatives; it values and exploits the mental, emotional, and psychological differences between people.
Stephen CoveyRead
Keep in mind that you are always saying "no" to something. If it isn't to the apparent and urgent things in your life, it is probably to the most fundamental, highly important things.
Stephen CoveyRead
Similar quotes
State propaganda, when supported by the educated classes and when no deviation is permitted from it, can have a big effect. It was a lesson learned by Hitler and many others, and it has been pursued to this day.
Noam ChomskyRead
That seems to me the greatest American danger we're all in, that we'll bargain away the experience of being alive for the appearance of it.
Mike NicholsRead
The outer space beings are my brothers. They sent me here. They already_x000D_ know my music.
Sun RaRead
Human beings are never to be treated as a means but always as ends.
Immanuel KantRead
There's always women of many different races on my shows, and there are always women who look many different ways, but there is still a size thing in this industry. It's hard. I mean to have to say, 'I want a larger woman to be an actor on my shows.' Or, 'Find me a larger woman,' is almost insulting to me.
Shonda RhimesRead
Whatever is born is the work of God. So whatever is plastered on, is the devil's work.... How unworthy of the Christian name it is to wear a fictitious face - you on whom simplicity in every form is enjoined! You, to whom lying with the tongue is not lawful, are lying in appearance.
TertullianRead