I have to do things for myself, and if those standards are set high, then it's up to me to pass or fail.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes personal responsibility in achieving one’s own high standards.
Henry Rollins highlights the importance of self-determination and accountability in striving for personal excellence. By setting high standards for oneself, he asserts that it is ultimately the individual’s choice to succeed or fail based on their actions and dedication.
In practice
During a motivational speech to inspire students to take charge of their futures.
Some people see Black Friday as a much-needed break for their wallet. I see it as retail outlets showing the customers the full weight of their contempt. The frenzy to buy cheap crap from China, the human downgrade of people fighting with each other over items they can probably live without, to me, is an insult.
Strength is the product of struggle, you must do what others don't to achieve what others won't.
Sitting in a room, alone, listening to a CD is to be lonely. Sitting in a room alone with an LP crackling away, or sitting next to the turntable listening to a song at a time via 7-inch single is enjoying the sublime state of solitude.
When the Iron doesn't want to come off the mat, it's the kindest thing it can do for you. If it flew up and went through the ceiling, it wouldn't teach you anything.
If you paid Americans a living wage, they would be able to pay for products made by Americans in America.
If I lose the light of the sun, I will write by candlelight, moonlight, no light. If I lose paper and ink, I will write in blood on forgotten walls. I will write always. I will capture nights all over the world and bring them to you
Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.
There were so many fellows ranked over me I couldn't just whoop them all. I had to out-shadow them by talking.
To reach a port, we must sail - sail, not tie at anchor - sail, not drift.
I'm addicted to working. I mean, I have a list of 100 countries I want to play in. I'm basically killing myself by travelling so much, for no reason whatsoever.
Every writing teacher I ever had except for one told me I was an awful writer, had no idea what I was doing, and should stop immediately. It only took the one to tell me something different to light a fire under me.
Running alone is the toughest. You get to the point where you have to keep pushing yourself.
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