Services done with real fellow feeling are far more acceptable and useful than those begun with colourful inaugural functions and newspaper advertisements.

‘There is no grace,’ said one of the ancients, ‘in a benefit that sticks to the fingers.’ Giving a portion of oneself is to sip happiness—at the same time contributing one’s own small share towards a better, kindlier world.

In Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare says, ‘it blesseth him that giveth and him that taketh.’ Therefore, the great service we can do to ourselves is to do some service to others. When we help others, our spirit rises to a plane. We are suffused with a degree of joy which compensates us for the time or energy we sacrifice in doing a good deed. And this feeling of joy comes from the fact that we are giving ourselves, our abilities, our talents, whatever.

We are proving in an important way that our life has purpose, our person and personalities have meaning and value. –Samuel M. Silver

The first steps toward wisdom are the most strenuous, because our weak and stubborn souls dread exertion and the unfamiliar. As you progress in your efforts, your resolve is fortified and self-improvement progressively comes easier.

By the steady but patient commitment to removing unsound beliefs from our souls, we become increasingly adept at seeing through our flimsy fears, our bewilderment in love, and our lack of self-control. We stop trying to look good to others. One day, we contentedly realize we’ve stopped playing to the crowd. –Epictetus