What a man thinks of himself, that it is which determines, or rather indicates his fate. – Henry David Thoreau

We learn to wield our own strengths, and fear flips over — dead! – Terri Guillemets, “Getting along, stopping not,” 2007

People are crying up the rich and variegated plumage of the peacock, and he is himself blushing at the sight of his ugly feet. – SaÊ¿dÄ«

It is folly for a man to pray to the gods for that which he has the power to obtain by himself. – Epicurus