Echoes

When you have decided that a thing ought to be done and are doing it, never avoid being seen doing it, though many shall form an unfavorable opinion about it. For if it is not right, avoid doing the thing; but if it is right, why are you afraid of those who shall find fault wrongly?

Attach yourself to what is spiritually superior, regardless of what other people think or do. Hold to your true aspirations no matter what is going on around you.

Never esteem anything as of advantage to you that will make you break your word or lose your self-respect.

I have never felt that anything really mattered but the satisfaction of knowing that you stood for the things in which you believed and had done the very best you could.

My life is my message.

I rely on two precedents: first, to similar cases our Sages applied the verse, "It is time to do something in honour of the Lord: for they have made void thy law"... Secondly, they have said, "Let all thy acts be guided by pure intentions." ...Lastly, when I have a difficult subject before me—when I find the road narrow, and can see no other way of teaching a well established truth except by pleasing one intelligent man and displeasing ten thousand fools—I prefer to address myself to the one man, and to take no notice whatever of the condemnation of the multitude; I prefer to extricate that intelligent man from his embarrassment and show him the cause of his perplexity, so that he may attain perfection and be at peace.

It would be better for me... that multitudes of men should disagree with me rather than that I, being one, should be out of harmony with myself.

Do what you feel in your heart to be right — for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be "damned if you do, and damned if you don't."

In matters of conscience, the law of majority has no place.

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.

To see what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.

Go forth in virtue!

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.

Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing.

Never open the door to a lesser evil, for other and greater ones invariably slink in after it.

Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it.

Whatever you are, be a good one.

Never give in — never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

The sublime is excited in me by the great stoical doctrine, Obey thyself.

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

Know how to refuse. One ought not to give way in everything nor to everybody.

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.

Stubborn and ardent clinging to one's opinion is the best proof of stupidity.