Yoshida Shoin Quotes

I am not driven.

By philosophy the mind of man comes to itself, and from henceforth rests on itself without foreign aid, and is completely master of itself, as the dancer of his feet, or the boxer of his hands.

I follow my own head. And if I'm determined to do something, then I'll make sure that I make it happen.

I don't need money, or, better, it's not money that I need; it's not even power; I need only what is obtained by power and simply cannot be obtained without power: the solitary and calm awareness of strength! That is the fullest definition of freedom, which the world so struggles over!

Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.

No one else has ever opened doors for me. I opened them myself.

I always knew that I would have to make it on my own somehow.

No one ever taught me how to shave; no one ever sat down to watch a Braves game with me. I paid for Yale myself, I lived by myself, I taught myself how to play the guitar. I did this all on my own.

I don't lack confidence. I don't sweat. I don't want to get too Zen on you, but I have to run my own race.

By the age of 9 or 10, I knew that I had to cut my own cloth and make my own way.

I'll always continue to work. I've never much depended on anyone but myself, as far as that goes.

I auditioned on my own. I tried to make a mark for myself without anybody's help, not even Mom's.

I'm not driven by being understood.

I didn't want to be that artist that is successful as a result of someone else. Not that that's wrong, but I felt like I had what it took. I really believed I could do it on my own, so I wanted to try, at least.

I'm proud of the fact that I made my way in life very rigorously. I was a bit too stubborn when it came to certain things, which was unnecessary, like getting independent from and leaving Germany.

You may be always victorious if you will never enter into any contest where the issue does not wholly depend upon yourself.

I don't work to any commissions. I do what I want to do.

The point is not to take the world's opinion as a guiding star but to go one's way in life and working unerringly, neither depressed by failure nor seduced by applause.

You can't let your personal disposition be dictated by the world around you.

I stayed on my own path and did not follow the herd. I made a way for myself.

I didn't have anybody, really, no foundation in life, so I had to make my own way. Always, from the start. I had to go out in the world and become strong, to discover my mission in life.

Nothing else so destroys the power to stand alone as the habit of leaning upon others. If you lean, you will never be strong or original. Stand alone or bury your ambition to be somebody in the world.

A lot of people tell me a lot of things about my conduct, my game, my future... but I try to stay away from their words of wisdom. I don't let it distract me. On the field, you will be facing the ball alone. If you fail, you will the only one to blame. So, you should be the one deciding for yourself.

I was always very independent and looked out for myself. I think that ability really helped me in later years both in sports and in theatre.

We all have to work for happiness. And you cannot listen to other people. That is the worst mistake you can make.