Wisdom for the Soul - Affirmation

AFFIRMATION / APPROVAL

Above all things, reverence yourself.
Pythagoras
6th Century BCE, Greek Philosopher, Mathematician

For no man can be blessed without the acceptance of his own head.
Yoruba (Southern Nigeria) Saying

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
The Bible
c. 367 CE, Christian Sacred Text
Psalm 139:14

Praise all who speak the truth,
And say, "Your words are excellent."
And when you notice others acting well,
Encourage them in terms of warm approval.
Extol them even in their absence;
When they're praised by others, do the same.
But when the qualities they praise are yours,
Appreciate their skill in knowing qualities.
Shantideva
7th Century Indian Buddhist Scholar
The Way of the Boddhisattva , Padmakara, tr.

I care not so much what I am in the opinion of others, as what I am in my own. I would be rich of myself and not by borrowing.
Montaigne
1533-1592, French Essayist, Moralist

Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin
As self-neglecting.
William Shakespeare
1564-1616, English Poet, Dramatist, Actor
Henry V , II:iv

It is your own assent to yourself, and the constant voice of your own reason, and not of others, that should make you believe.
Blaise Pascal
1623-1662, French Scientist, Mathematician, Philosopher

There is not a person we employ who does not, like ourselves, desire recognition, praise, gentleness, forbearance, patience.
Henry Ward Beecher
1813-1887, American Cleric, Lecturer, Editor, Writer

A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
Mark Twain
1835-1910, American Writer, Humorist, Journalist

When you cannot get a compliment any other way, pay yourself one.
Twain

The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.
William James
1842-1910, American Psychologist, Philosopher

One must learn to love oneself – thus do I teach – with a wholesome and healthy love: that one may endure to be oneself, and not go roving about � And verily, it is no commandment for today and tomorrow to learn to love oneself. Rather it is of all arts the finest, most subtle, last and most patient.
Friedrich Nietzsche
1844-1900, German Philosopher, Critic, Poet
Thus Spake Zarathustra

To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.
Oscar Wilde
1856-1900, Irish Poet, Dramatist, Critic, Wit
An Ideal Husband

I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement.
Charles M. Schwab
1862-1939, American Industrialist

Above a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Max Ehrmann
1872-1945, German-American Lawyer, Poet
Desiderata , 1927

Affirmation of life is the spiritual act by which man ceases to live unreflectively and begins to devote himself to his life with reverence in order to raise it to its true value. To affirm life is to deepen, to make more inward, and to exalt the will to live.
Albert Schweitzer
1875-1965, German Theologian, Philosopher, Musician, Physician, Missionary, 1952 Nobel Laureate

I want to be fit for myself to know.
Edgar Guest
1881-1959, English/American Journalist, Poet

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt
1884-1962, American First Lady, Stateswoman, Humanitarian

Always admire the good in others, and forget not sometimes to admire the good in yourself.
Lin Yutang
Looking Beyond

Make a true estimate of your own ability, then raise it 10 per cent.
Norman Vincent Peale
1898-1993, American Cleric, Writer

Self-love seems so often unrequited.
Anthony D. Powell
1905-2000, English Writer, Critic

The kinds of people who can go on to greater emotional maturity are those who really like themselves, even if the world seems to turn against them. Their self-worth does not rest on events, but on their opinions of themselves. Their inner security lies in the confidence that they will be able to contend with bad breaks; if they can't change the situation, they will nevertheless somehow endure. They take reverses as part of the normal pattern of living.
Theodore Irwin
1907-, American Writer
How to Cope with Crises

I am somebody. I am me. I like being me. And I don't need nobody to make me somebody.
Louis L'Amour
1908-1988, American Writer

A truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep.
Vernon Howard
1918-1992, American Writer, Dramatist

Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish.
Sam Walton
1918-1992, American Entrepreneur

An individual's self-concept is the core of his personality. It affects every aspect of human behavior; the ability to learn, the capacity to grow and change, the choice of friends, mates and careers. It is no exaggeration to say that a strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success in life.
Joyce Brothers
1927-, American Psychologist, Columnist

The world is as good as you are. You've got to learn to like yourself first. I'm a little screwed up, but I'm beautiful.
Steve McQueen
1930-1980, American Actor

Love yourself, appreciate yourself, see the good in you, see the God in you, and respect yourself.
Betty Shabazz
1934-1997, African-American Educator

To have that sense of one's intrinsic worth which constitutes self-respect is potentially to have everything.
Joan Didion
1934-, American Essayist, Writer

Once you get rid of the idea that you must please other people before you please yourself, and you begin to follow your own instincts – only then can you be successful. You become more satisfied, and when you are other people tend to be satisfied by what you do.
Raquel Welch
1940-, American Actress

We are forever looking outside ourselves, seeking approval and striving to impress others. But living to please others is a poor substitute for self-love, for no matter how family and friends may adore us, they can never satisfy our visceral need to love and honor ourselves.
Susan Taylor
1946-, African-American Editor, Writer
Lessons in Living

You've got to love yourself enough, not only so that others will be able to love you, but that you'll be able to love others.
Cornel West
1954-, African-American Philosopher, Activist

It's foolish to give what other people think about us so much credence. All that matters is how you feel about yourself. Do you love yourself? Ask yourself that question, right now, out loud and let the answer be yes � Because what other people may have to say about you is simply their opinion. It's not who you are. Their opinion about you is not reality. Reality is what is inside you.
RuPaul
1960-, African-American Entertainer
Lettin It All Hang Out , 1995

The greatest pleasure in life is being pleased with your own efforts.
Blair Underwood
1964-, African-American Actor

Each day silently affirm that you are the type of person with whom you would like to spend the rest of your life.
- Bob Moawad

A human being's first responsibility is to shake hands with himself.
- Henry Winkler

AFFIRMATION / APPROVAL

This cross-index may help identify and delineate more closely subjective realities often hard to pin down.

Related states elucidate shades of meaning and amplify nuances of feeling
Syntonic elements foster and enhance well-being
Dystonic factors are contraindicated and should be minimized.

Related States & Conditions

Syntonic

Appreciation | Confidence | Conviction | Courage | Engagement/Integration/Involvement, Faith, Forgiveness, Giving/Serving, Humor/Laughter, Insight/Instinct/Intuition, Inspiration, Introspection/Self-Knowledge, Meditation, Optimism/Positivism, Trust, Understanding, Zeal/Zest

Dystonic