We have to look at our own inertia, insecurities, self-hate, fear that, in truth, we have nothing valuable to say. read more

We have to look at our own inertia, insecurities, self-hate, fear that, in truth, we have nothing valuable to say. When your writing blooms out of the back of this garbage compost, it is very stable. You are not running from anything. You can have a sense of artistic security. If you are not afraid of the voices inside you, you will not fear the critics outside you.

People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher or better than themselves.

People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher or better than themselves.

He that undervalues himself will undervalue others, and he that undervalues others will oppress them.

He that undervalues himself will undervalue others, and he that undervalues others will oppress them.

I'm not trying to prove anybody wrong, I'm just trying to prove something to myself.

I'm not trying to prove anybody wrong, I'm just trying to prove something to myself.

One day I sat thinking, almost in despair; a hand fell on my shoulder and a voice said reassuringly: cheer read more

One day I sat thinking, almost in despair; a hand fell on my shoulder and a voice said reassuringly: cheer up, things could get worse. So I cheered up and, sure enough, things got worse.

The greatest foes, and whom we must chiefly combat, are within.

The greatest foes, and whom we must chiefly combat, are within.

To learn to get along without, to realize that what the world is going to demand of us may be read more

To learn to get along without, to realize that what the world is going to demand of us may be a good deal more important than what we are entitled to demand of it -- this is a hard lesson.

Self-denial is painful for a moment, but very agreeable in the end.

Self-denial is painful for a moment, but very agreeable in the end.

The force of selfishness is as inevitable and as calculable as the force of gravitation.

The force of selfishness is as inevitable and as calculable as the force of gravitation.