True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.

Loving others always costs us something and requires effort. And you have to decide to do it on purpose. You can’t wait for a feeling to motivate you.

Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing.

Superstition is foolish, childish, primitive and irrational – but how much does it cost you to knock on wood?

The real price of everything, what everything really costs to the man who wants to acquire it, is the toil and trouble of acquiring it.

It is disgraceful to live at the cost of one’s self-respect. Self-respect is the most vital factor in life. Without it, man is a cipher. To live worthily with self-respect, one has to overcome difficulties. It is out of hard and ceaseless struggle alone that one derives strength, confidence and recognition.