#ideal

In order to succeed we need leaders of inspired idealism, leaders to whom are granted great visions, who dream greatly and strive to make their dreams come true; who can kindle the people with the fire from their own burning souls. The leader for the time being, whoever he may be, is but an instrument, to be used until broken and then to be cast aside; and if he is worth his salt he will care no more when he is broken than a soldier cares when he is sent where his life is forfeit in order that the victory may be won. ↗

— Theodore Roosevelt

#great-leaders #idealism #inspiration #leaders #selflessness

So from now on, screw "perfect." Forget for a while about what kind of person you want to be, and just be the best version of the person you are. Figure out which of your classmates you genuinely like (not who you want to like you), and get to know them by telling your own stories and listening to theirs. Hang out with the people you think are cool, not the people you'd like to be considered cool by. Do things because they interest you, not because they make you look interesting... and then, take stock in a month and see whether you're not happier, healthier, and working on some actual friendships with other imperfect-but-lovely humans. ↗

— Kat Rosenfield

#ideals #perfection #friendship

Everyone is so cynical about the possibility of democracy today. But not me, I’m an idealist: democracy isn’t possible outside my own mind. According to my perceptions, this is a dictatorship. ↗

— Benson Bruno

#democracy #funny #humor #idealism #politics

At first I protested and rebelled against poetry. I was about to deny my poetic worlds. I was doing violence to my illusions with analysis, science, and learning Henry’s language, entering Henry’s world. I wanted to destroy by violence and animalism my tenuous fantasies and illusions and my hypersensitivity. A kind of suicide. The ignominy awakened me. Then June came and answered the cravings of my imagination and saved me. Or perhaps she killed me, for now I am started on a course of madness. ↗

— Anaïs Nin

#idealism #imagination #poetry #imagination

He was a man of most subtle and refined intellect. A man of culture, charm, and distinction. One of the most intellectual men I ever met." "I prefer a gentlemanly fool any day. There is more to be said for stupidity than people imagine. Personally I have a great admiration for stupidity. It is a sort of fellow-feeling, I suppose. ↗

— Oscar Wilde

#oscar-wilde #imagination

Men invent new ideals because they dare not attempt old ideals. They look forward with enthusiasm, because they are afraid to look back. ↗

— G.K. Chesterton

#fashions #ideals #worldviews #zeitgeist #men

We are all inclined to judge ourselves by our ideals; others by their acts. ↗

— Harold Nicolson

#ideals #inclined #judge #others #our

Democracy forever teases us with the contrast between its ideals and its realities, between its heroic possibilities and its sorry achievements. ↗

— Agnes Repplier

#between #contrast #democracy #forever #heroic

It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice. ↗

— Jose Rizal

#becoming #consecrated #edifice #field #great

I know that some endeavor to throw the mantle of romance over the subject and treat woman like some ideal existence, not liable to the ills of life. Let those deal in fancy who have nothing better to deal in; we have to do with sober, sad realities, with stubborn facts. ↗

— Ernestine Rose

#deal #endeavor #existence #facts #fancy