A quotation from Victor Hugo

It is one of the most difficult yet necessary things in life to learn to disdain. Disdain protects and crushes. It is a breastplate and a club. You have enemies? Why, it is the story of every man who has done a great deed or created a new idea. It is the cloud which thunders around everything, which shines. Fame must have enemies, as light must have gnats. Do not bother yourself about it; disdain. Keep your mind serene as you keep your life clear. Do not give your enemies the satisfaction of thinking that they cause you grief or pain. Be happy, be cheerful, be disdainful, be firm.
 
[C’est une des choses les plus difficiles et les plus nécessaires de la vie que d’apprendre à dédaigner. Le dédain protège et écrase. C’est une cuirasse et une massue. Vous avez des ennemis? Mais c’est l’histoire de tout homme qui a fait une action grande ou créé une idée neuve. C’est la nuée qui bruit autour de tout ce qui brille. Il faut que la renommée ait des ennemis comme il faut que la lumière ait des moucherons. Ne vous en inquiétez pas; dédaignez! Ayez la sérénité dans votre esprit comme vous avez la limpidité dans votre vie. Ne donnez pas à vos ennemis cette joie de penser qu’ils vous affligent et qu’ils vous troublent. Soyez content, soyez joyeux, soyez dédaigneux, soyez fort.]

Victor Hugo (1802-1885) French writer
Diary (1845-12-07), “Villemain,” Things Seen [Choses Vues], Vol. 1 (1887)

More info about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/hugo-victor/12984/

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A quotation from Hyman Rickover

To do a job effectively, one must set priorities. Too many people let their “in” basket set the priorities. On any given day, unimportant but interesting trivia pass through an office; one must not permit these to monopolize his time. The human tendency is to while away time with unimportant matters that do not require mental effort or energy. Since they can be easily resolved, they give a false sense of accomplishment. The manager must exert self-discipline to ensure that his energy is focused where it is truly needed.

Hyman Rickover (1900-1986) American naval engineer, submariner, US Navy Admiral
Speech (1981-11-05), “Doing a Job,” Egleston Medal Award Dinner, Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science, New York

More about this quote: wist.info/rickover-hyman/6231/

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Thought Of The Day #44: With how you believe in their friends goals and accomplishments have the same investment and determination in yourself. #accomplishment #goal #determination [ December 13th 2025 ] https://rons-home.net/en/living-life-lab/personal-growth/thought-of-the-day/2025/12/13

A quotation from Samuel Johnson

Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes, and seeing them gratified. He that labours in any great or laudable undertaking, has his fatigues first supported by hope, and afterwards rewarded by joy; he is always moving to a certain end, and when he has attained it, an end more distant invites him to a new pursuit.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Essay (1753-11-27), The Adventurer, No. 111

More about this quote: wist.info/johnson-samuel/2135/

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A quotation from Eric Hoffer

There are many who find a good alibi far more attractive than an achievement. For an achievement does not settle anything permanently. We still have to prove our worth anew each day: we have to prove that we are as good today as we were yesterday. But when we have a valid alibi for not achieving anything we are fixed, so to speak, for life. Moreover, when we have an alibi for not writing a book, painting a picture, and so on, we have an alibi for not writing the greatest book and not painting the greatest picture. Small wonder that the effort expended and the punishment endured in obtaining a good alibi often exceed the effort and grief requisite for the attainment of a most marked achievement.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
Passionate State of Mind, Aphorism 181 (1955)

More about this quote: wist.info/hoffer-eric/29470/

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A quotation from Ambrose Bierce

SUCCESS, n. The one unpardonable sin against one’s fellows.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalist
“Success,” The Devil’s Dictionary (1911)

More info about this quote: wist.info/bierce-ambrose/80306…

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What My Friends Mean To Me Answer #19: My friends celebrate with me when I complete a goal I've been working on. https://rons-home.net/en/living-life-lab/personal-growth/what-my-friends-mean-to-me/answer-of-the-day/2025/11/17 #goal #victory #accomplishment

What My Friends Mean To Me Answer #19: My friends celebrate with me when I complete a goal I've been working on. https://rons-home.net/en/living-life-lab/personal-growth/what-my-friends-mean-to-me/answer-of-the-day/2025/10/17 #goal #victory #accomplishment