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.

Passionate hatred can give meaning and purpose to an empty life.

The Renaissance was a time of mercenary soldiers, ours is a time of mercenary labor.

To have a grievance is to have a purpose in life. It not infrequently happens that those who hunger for hope give their allegiance to him who offers them a grievance.

The real "haves" are they who can acquire freedom, self-confidence, and even riches without depriving others of them. They acquire all of these by developing and applying their potentialities. On the other hand, the real "have nots" are they who cannot have aught except by depriving others of it. They can feel free only by diminishing the freedom of others, self-confident by spreading fear and dependence among others, and rich by making others poor.

The majority prove their worth by keeping busy. A busy life is the nearest thing to a purposeful life.

Action is at bottom a swinging and flailing of the arms to regain one's balance and keep afloat.