James Allen

A man is literally what he thinks.

We clothe events with the drapery of our own thoughts. . . .

Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself. Man, therefore, as the lord and master of thought, is the maker of himself, the shaper and author of environment.

A man cannot directly chose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances.

He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he would achieve much must sacrifice much. . . .

Don't accept that others know you better than yourself. Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitably bring about right results.

Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow delightful conditions, all heavenly environment; of these if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built.