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Neither heredity nor environment determine character. But whether we give in to or overcome the negative messages we are exposed to as we wend our way through life is often determined by whether our parents, teachers, mentors and friends exposed us to good examples and morally inspiring ideas.

Michael Josephson

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Michael Josephson
Age: 81
Born: 1942
Born: December 10
Motivational Speaker
Philosopher
Good
Friends
Inspiring
Mentor
Life
Whether
Neither
Exposed
Often
Negative
Overcome
Character
Parents
Teachers
Give
Teacher
Overcoming
Mentors
Ideas
Example
Determine
Heredity
Giving
Environment
Determined
Examples
Way
Parent
Messages
Morally

More quotes by Michael Josephson

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Failure is much easier to handle if you just think of it as feedback to guide your next effort.
Michael Josephson
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What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew but how many will feel a lasting loss when you are gone. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by who and for what?
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Experimenting with drugs is like target practice where your head is the bull's-eye.
Michael Josephson
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Don't sacrifice a good life for a good time.
Michael Josephson
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What a person says and does in ordinary moments when when no one is looking reveals more about true character than grand actions taken while in the spotlight. Our true character is revealed by normal, consistent, everyday attitudes and behavior, not by self-conscious words or deeds or rare acts of moral courage.
Michael Josephson
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It is easier to be grateful for the things we have than to the people who have helped us get them.
Michael Josephson
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There's a hole in the moral ozone and it's getting bigger.
Michael Josephson
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The ethical person should do more then he is required to do, and less than he is allowed to.
Michael Josephson
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Gratitude is most treasured when it is unexpected. When we expect, even demand gratitude, we treat it simply as payment due for some service we rendered and we squeeze any good feeling out of it.
Michael Josephson
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Don't confuse fun with fulfillment, or pleasure with happiness.
Michael Josephson
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When it comes to building character, wealth, good looks, athletic ability and even a high IQ are more likely to be impediments than advantages.
Michael Josephson
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Happiness is the peace of mind that comes from feeling that I am living a worthy life in the company of people I love and in the service of something bigger than myself.
Michael Josephson
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We judge our own character by our best intentions and most noble acts, but we will be judged by our last worst act.
Michael Josephson
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One problem with gratitude is that it competes with the sense of pride, self-reliance and accomplishment we have. We want to think what we have is the result of our efforts rather than the gifts, good turns and opportunities provided us by others.
Michael Josephson
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The opposite of success is not failure. Unsuccessful efforts are not failures unless they so discourage you that you abandon further efforts to achieve your goal. Even then, the venture or effort may be a failure but you are not. Failure is an event not a character trait.
Michael Josephson
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To the barefoot man, happiness is a pair of shoes. To the man with old shoes, it's a pair of new shoes. To the man with new shoes, it's stylish shoes. And of course, the fellow with no feet would be happy to be barefoot. Measure your life by what you have not by what you don't.
Michael Josephson
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The only force that can sustain true and consistent courage is some form of spiritual belief that values like honor, duty, loyalty and integrity above the status, power, money and even security.
Michael Josephson
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Our character is revealed by how we treat people who cannot help us or hurt us.
Michael Josephson
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It is better to be unsuccessful pursuing a significant goal that being successful attaining an insignificant one.
Michael Josephson
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I am not and never will be perfect. I am not always as honest, respectful, responsible, fair or as kind as I should be. All I can do is what I should do: strive every day, with every decision to be the best person I can be. I don’t expect to be perfect but I know I can be better.
Michael Josephson