Failure is not fatal. (William Ward, 20th century American writer)
In fact, according to author Dale Turner, “Some of the best lessons are learned from past mistakes, the error of the past is the wisdom of the future.” While all of us have failed at one time or another, no one has ever accomplished anything of value without learning from his or her mistakes and moving on with persistence.
The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24:16)
Human beings are idol-making factories. (John Calvin, 16th century French theologian)
Perhaps you don’t think that’s a fair statement for 21st century people. After all, most of us are not bowing down to idols of wood and stone. In fact, many would claim to be worshipers of God. Idolatry, however, is anything that stands in the place of God. What are we spending our time, energy, and money on? Temporary passing fashions?
You must not have any other god but me. (Exodus 20:3)
The one thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history. (Georg Hegel, 18-19th century German philosopher)
Have we not learned from that often quoted observation by George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Why is it that we seem to ignore the lessons of history and make the same poor judgments again and again? Is it a matter of pride that we think we can do better this time because we know so much more? Better to humbly learn.
These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. (1 Corinthians 10:11)
Pride is a mirror that reflects self; humility is a window that sees others. (Dick Dahlquist, teacher)
With the great emphasis today in raising children to have a good self-image, we may sometimes go a little too far. It’s important, of course, to teach children about themselves and their relationship with others. It’s equally important to help them learn as early as possible how to recognize and respect others. Mutual appreciation is necessary for successful companionship.
Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:3-4)
He who wants to persuade should put his trust not in the right argument, but in the right word. (Joseph Conrad, novelist)
Even strong arguments may be lost because of ill-chosen words. Language is filled with synonyms, and the choice of a specific expression can be critical in an exchange of ideas. Commentator John Stonestreet adds, “Even . . . if you have to make the word up.” Have a solid argument, and be careful to express it with the right words.
Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words. (Ecclesiastes 10:12)
Providence has hidden a charm in difficult undertakings, which is appreciated only by those who dare to grapple with them. (Anne-Sophie Swetchine, 19th century Russian mystic)
Many of us go out of our way to avoid difficult situations. We want life to be easy without complex issues that require time, money, and lots of effort to overcome. Yet, as Swetchine suggests, the people who are willing to confront those hard issues and wrestle with them, will often gain so much that they learn to respect the hard times as valuable learning experiences.
God to Paul: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Paul: “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses.” (1 Corinthians 12:9-10)
If your cause is just, if your principles are pure, and if your conduct is prudent, you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts. (John Witherspoon, signer of the Declaration of Independence)
Almost anything you say or try to do today will face opposition. Disunity seems to be a part of society. Everyone has his or her idea of what is right and best, and you have to be pretty strong to overcome conflict. Witherspoon’s counsel should be the encouragement to move forward when you are confident you’re pursuing justice in a wholesome and thoughtful way.
People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. (Proverbs 10:9)
Don’t look back, you’ll miss the road ahead. (Chris Suitt, pastor)
As a mountain-biker, Suitt learned that “where your eyes go, so goes your front wheel. The bike will go where you’re looking . . . So keep your eyes on the trail if you want to enjoy the ride!” It’s a good application to our ride in life. Looking at the threats around us or constantly looking back will certainly lead to danger and cause us fail to reach the goal.
For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. (Hebrews 13:14)
Our parents bring us into the world, but in the end, we are responsible for what we become. (Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese-American writer)
We inherit a lot from our parents, of course: physical attributes and personality characteristics, no doubt. But we can’t attribute our values and conduct to them alone. As much as we’d like to blame them—or others—for our behavior or decisions we must accept responsibility for our choices.
Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. (Proverbs 2:11)
A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one. (Ecclesiastes 10:2)
Pettiness is the tendency of people without large purposes. (George Will, columnist)
Pastor Chuck Swindoll comments, “Petty people are worse than stubborn; they are negative and rigidly inflexible.” We quickly want to avoid people who are small-minded, always finding reasons not to be involved. On the other hand, being around people who are broad-minded and positive is a great encouragement and incentive to move along with them.
Where there is rebellion in a land, there are many petty and contending rulers; But where there is a wise and intelligent leader, peace and order endure. (Proverbs 28:2)
The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships. (Anthony Robbins, life coach)
What brings the most joy and pleasure to your life? Your new car? Your well-decorated home? Your job and career? These are all good, of course, and they are very likely important to your feeling of well-being and worth. But those good things can bring only a limited measure of real satisfaction. It’s loving and caring relationships that will provide a more solid quality to life.
Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. (Proverbs 13:20)
Some [people] not only have closed their minds to new truth, but they sit on the lid. (Dale Turner, author)
He also said, “The greatest of all faults is to be conscious of none. . . Those who believe they have ‘arrived’ believe they have nowhere to go.” As we grow physically, we need also to grow mentally. No one knows it all. That’s one of life’s great joys and opportunities: to enjoy learning and to discover new things and ideas. Failure to do so is to stifle ideas and progress.
Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)