"Where one person shapes their life by precept and example, there are a thousand who have shaped it by impulse and circumstances"

This quote by James Russell Lowell speaks with the power of influence and the impact it can have on our lives. It recommends that while some people have the ability to shape their lives through mindful decisions and actions, there are much more who are formed by external forces. These external forces can be anything from the people around us, to our environment, to the culture we live in. The quote indicates that while we might have some control over our lives, much of it is determined by the influences around us. It is a suggestion that we need to bear in mind individuals and scenarios that we enable into our lives, as they can have an enduring impact on our future.