Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that assures the successful outcome of any venture.
William JamesEvery sort of energy and endurance, of courage and capacity for handling life's evils, is set free in those who have religious faith.
William JamesTo neglect the wise sayings of great thinkers is to deny ourselves the truest education.
William JamesFatalism, whose solving word in all crises of behavior is All striving is vain, will never reign supreme, for the impulse to take life strivingly is indestructible in the race. Moral creeds which speak to that impulse will be widely successful in spite of inconsistency, vagueness, and shadowy determination of expectancy. Man needs a rule for his will, and will invent one if one be not given him.
William James