Imitation is often a shortcut to a solution. We copy when we lack the inclination, the ability or the time to work out an independent solution. People in a hurry will imitate more readily than people at leisure. Hustling thus tends to produce uniformity. And in the deliberate fusing of individuals into a compact group, incessant action will play a considerable role.

The capacity for getting along with our neighbor depends to a large extent on the capacity for getting along with ourselves. The self-respecting individual will try to be as tolerant of his neighbor's shortcomings as he is of his own.

It is doubtful whether the oppressed ever fight for freedom. They fight for pride and power-power to oppress others.

The self-despisers are less intent on their own increase than on the diminution of others. Where self-esteem is unobtainable, envy takes the place of greed.

Faith is primarily a process of identification; the process by which the individual ceases to be himself and becomes part of something eternal.

Our originality shows itself most strikingly not in what we wholly originate but in what we do with that which we borrow from others.

Our achievements speak for themselves. What we have to keep track of are our failures, discouragements and doubts.