Sometimes, when historians look into the past, often they only see the problems and the struggles, but little of the truly amazing achievements not only of industry but of intellect. I have always believed that this is because the historians and journalists are a depressing and a depressed lot.
They should read William James.
Here’s a link to a great site.
William James is not a household name to anyone outside of Psychology. Even in Psychology, many fail to read his original writings but depend too highly on the interpretations of others. James was brilliant. I say he was brilliant because his observations still hold today over 100 years later.
Although much of what he wrote was around 1900, William James reflects the budding optimism, the clarity of the times and a genuine hope for the future.
Although it may seem old fashioned to post quotes, William James is worth reading. Here are a few:
“Truth is what works.”
“When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice.”
“These then are my last words to you. Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.”
“If merely ‘feeling good’ could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience.”
“Be willing to have it so. Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.”
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
“Action may not bring happiness but there is no happiness without action.”
“Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.”
“A chain is no stronger than its weakest link, and life is after all a chain.”
“Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.”
“Compared to what we ought to be, we are half awake.”
“Everybody should do at least two things each day that he hates to do, just for practice.”
“Faith means belief in something concerning which doubt is theoretically possible.”
“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.”
“Many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.”
“One hearty laugh together will bring enemies into a closer communion of heart than hours spent on both sides in inward wrestling with the mental demon of uncharitable feeling.”
“Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes a reality. Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results.”
“The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.”
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”
“The world is all the richer for having a devil in it, so long as we keep our foot upon his neck.”
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Now, wasn’t that all worth reading?
Roger Freberg
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