"You should read history and look at ostracism, persecution, martyrdom, and that kind of thing. They always happen to the best men, you know"
- George Eliot
About this Quote
This quote by George Eliot is a reminder that even the best of us can experience the cruelty of others. History is full of examples of individuals who have actually been ostracized, maltreated, and martyred for their beliefs or actions. Eliot is suggesting that we should learn from these examples and know that even the best of us can be based on the exact same treatment. We ought to be mindful of our actions and be aware of the prospective effects. We should also know the capacity for others to be mistreated and act to avoid it. By comprehending the history of mistreatment, we can work to develop a better future for ourselves and others.
"Don't lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality"
"The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom"