Henry Ward Beecher Quotes

A noble man compares and estimates himself by an idea which is higher than himself; and a mean man, by one lower than himself. The one produces aspiration; the other ambition, which is the way in which a vulgar man aspires.

Ultimately, we measure ourselves against our own ideas of idealism and perfection, and we don't always come very close to them.

True humility is intelligent self respect which keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves. It makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be.

I find myself a bit boring because I somehow always wanted to be MSF.

That is why all great men are modest: they consistently measure themselves not in comparison to other people but to the idea of perfection ever present in their minds, an ideal infinitely clearer and greater than any common people have, and they also realize how far they are from fulfilling their ideal.

If you would improve, submit to be considered wihout sense and foolish with respect to externals. Wish to be considered to know nothing; and if you shall seem to someone to be a person of importance, distrust yourself.

I have never gauged myself against anyone else.

When we see men of worth, we should think of equalling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inward and examine ourselves.

I have never tried to compare myself to anyone else.

One summer, when I was a kid, I was in the car with my stepfather, and he was asking me where I thought I ranked, on a scale of 1 to 10. I said, '6,' and he said, '3.' I think it was his way of telling me that I needed to get out and really attack life.

I always thought I should base how good I am on how good I feel I am.

I traced the path I walk today and my goals are many. I think that I'm achieving my goals.

It is right to be contented with what we have, never with what we are.

On a scale of one to 10, I feel I'm at a nine because there's definitely room for improvement. I know I could go further.

I think a lot of the time having someone who you, not base yourself on, but can see yourself being after a few years, you can get quite blinded by that, in the same way love can be.

Sometimes when people ask you to do things you think you are above, you need to evaluate why you think you are above it.

My weaknesses... I wish I could come up with something. I'd probably have the same pause if you asked me what my strengths are. Maybe they're the same thing.

I'm not good at watching myself.

I don't like to compare myself with anybody.

When people call me God, I say, no, I'm still an angel or saint of acting. I still have a long way to go.

I don't want to be interesting. I want to be good.

Ambition is best tempered with self-knowledge!

When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

I've been enormously fortunate. People say, 'How do you feel about your reputation?' My real belief is that I have exactly the reputation I deserve... on the whole, I feel comfortable with myself.

No one puts higher expectations on themselves than I do.