For most of us... the problem is not a lack of goals but rather too many of them.

Evil is not likely to result where people firmly believe that ends do not justify the means.

For most of us... the problem is not a lack of goals but rather too many of them.

Researchers were surprised to find that people with strong self-control spent less time resisting desires than other people did. . . . people with good self-control mainly use it not for rescue in emergencies but rather to develop effective habits and routines in school and at work.

Violence appears to be most commonly a result of threatened egotism -- that is, highly favorable views of self that are disputed by some person or circumstance. ... violence is perpetrated by a small subset of people with favorable views of themselves. ... Viewed in this light, the societal pursuit of high self-esteem for everyone may literally end up doing considerable harm.

People with high but unstable self-esteem exhibit the greatest hostility.

Willpower is a muscle that can be strengthened.