The reason humans experience so much more stress than other species isn't just because we think more, but also because we think differently.

People often say that stress is a motivator. What we're referring to when we say this is really better described as stimulation and engagement.

Throughout history, independent minds have carried mankind forward. Whether they identified how to make fire or manufacture tools, develop rational philosophy or create man-glorifying art, pioneer scientific knowledge or invent the electric light, independent thinkers have created the goods on which human life and prosperity depend.

We all enjoy pushing ourselves to accomplish our objectives. But we don't need stress to get there.

Altruism demands that an individual serve others, but doesn’t stipulate whether those others should be one’s family, or the homeless, or society as a whole. Collectivism states that, in politics, society comes first and the individual must obey. Collectivism is the application of the altruist ethics to politics.

Remember that stress doesn't come from what's going on in your life. It comes from your thoughts about what's going on in your life.

A hero has faced it all: he need not be undefeated, but he must be undaunted.