They who lack talent expect things to happen without effort. They ascribe failure to a lack of inspiration or ability, read more

They who lack talent expect things to happen without effort. They ascribe failure to a lack of inspiration or ability, or to misfortune, rather than to insufficient application. At the core of every true talent there is an awareness of the difficulties inherent in any achievement, and the confidence that by persistence and patience something worthwhile will be realized. Thus talent is a species of vigor.

The moment avoiding failure becomes your motivation, you're down the path of inactivity. You stumble only if you're moving.

The moment avoiding failure becomes your motivation, you're down the path of inactivity. You stumble only if you're moving.

No one ever won a chess game by betting on each move. Sometimes you have to move backward to get read more

No one ever won a chess game by betting on each move. Sometimes you have to move backward to get a step forward.

I write about violence as naturally as Jane Austen wrote about manners. Violence shapes and obsesses our society, and if read more

I write about violence as naturally as Jane Austen wrote about manners. Violence shapes and obsesses our society, and if we do not stop being violent we have no future.

It is easier to discover a deficiency in individuals, in states, and in Providence, than to see their real import read more

It is easier to discover a deficiency in individuals, in states, and in Providence, than to see their real import and value.

Fear of success can also be tied into the idea that success means someone else's loss. Some people are unconsciously read more

Fear of success can also be tied into the idea that success means someone else's loss. Some people are unconsciously guilty because they believe their victories are coming at the expense of another.

There is a time in the life of every problem when it is big enough to see, yet small enough read more

There is a time in the life of every problem when it is big enough to see, yet small enough to solve.

My worst fear is that I'll end up living in some run-down duplex on Wilshire wearing pants hiked up to read more

My worst fear is that I'll end up living in some run-down duplex on Wilshire wearing pants hiked up to my nipples and muttering under my breath.

A skeptic is a person who, when he sees the handwriting on the wall, claims it is a forgery.

A skeptic is a person who, when he sees the handwriting on the wall, claims it is a forgery.