Excellence is a Habit

“Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”

—Aristotle (384-322); philosopher

Rise to the Occasion!

“Wisdom and penetration are the fruit of experience, not the lessons of retirement and leisure. Great necessities call out great virtues.”

—Abigail Adams (1744-1818);
U.S. First Lady (1797-1801)

Open Yourself to a World of Possibilities!

“It takes generosity to discover the whole through others. If you realize you are only a violin, you can open yourself up to the world by playing your role in the concert.”

—Jacques Cousteau (1910-1997);
marine biologist, diver, explorer

Take Chances!

“The only time you run out of chances is when you stop taking them."

—Unknown

Risk it!

“Behold the turtle. He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out."

—James Bryant Conant

Do What You Think You Can't

“Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.”

—Oprah Winfrey
(1954-); Television Host, Actress, Philanthopist

Determination

“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise.”

—F. Scott Fitzgerald
(1896-1940); author