Expecting the best means that you put your whole heart (i.e. the central essence of your personality) into what you want to accomplish. People are defeated in life not because of lack of ability, but for lack of wholeheartedness. They do not wholeheartedly expect to succeed. Their heart isn't in it, which is to say, they themselves are not fully given.

Every individual forms his own estimate of himself and that basic estimate goes far toward determining what he becomes.

Begin where you are. Don't wait for someone else to change things for you. Do it yourself

Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are.

Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven't half the strength you think they have.

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.

You will soon break the bow if you keep it always stretched.