#steadfast

The true test of a leader is whether his followers will adhere to his cause from their own volition, enduring the most arduous hardships without being forced to do so, and remaining steadfast in the moments of greatest peril. ↗

— Xenophon

#arduous #being #cause #enduring #followers

So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. ↗

— J.R.R. Tolkien

#gandalf #steadfastness #truths #decisions

Since then your sere Majesty and your Lordships seek a simple answer, I will give it in this manner, neither horned nor toothed. Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen." (Reply to the Diet of Worms, April 18, 1521) ↗

— Martin Luther

#christian #conscience #freedom-of-religion #freedom-of-thought #organized-religion

The Steadfast Love of the Lord is not Seasonal; His Mercies do not have winter or summer days... They are new every now and then. ↗

— Israelmore Ayivor

#god #love #mercies #merciful #mercy

Like hot food I love you like warm bread & cold cuts, butter sammiches or, days later, after Thanksgiving when I want whatever's left ↗

— Kevin Young

#need #ragtime #steadfast #steadfast-love #steady

I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold the principles received by me when I was sane, not mad -- as I am now. Laws and principles are not for times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth -- so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane -- quite insane, with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations are all I have at this hour to stand; there I plant my foot. ↗

— Charlotte Brontë

#morality #principles #steadfastness #respect

Wealth stays with us a little moment if at all: only our characters are steadfast, not our gold. ↗

— Euripides

#gold #little #moment #only #our

Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour ... If at my convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? ↗

— Charlotte Brontë

#doctrine #ethics #law #morality #principles

My writing practice taught me the important thing is steadfastness. It's not necessarily discipline. Discipline can become a prison. When your spiritual practices become another thing for you to be anxious about, they've lost their usefulness. ↗

— Elizabeth Gilbert

#another #anxious #become #discipline #important

We emerged from the events of September 11 more steadfast in our beliefs, more courageous in our actions and more determined to protect our values than ever before. ↗

— Jane D. Hull

#before #beliefs #courageous #determined #emerged