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There's some wisdom and no moral deficiency to one who holds courage in reserve and uses it as a last resort. Before we take the kind of risks that require courage, we ought to exhaust other less risky alternatives.

Michael Josephson

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Michael Josephson
Age: 82
Born: 1942
Born: December 10
Motivational Speaker
Philosopher
Moral
Uses
Exhaust
Lasts
Require
Deficiency
Last
Holds
Risky
Less
Alternatives
Resort
Use
Courage
Reserve
Take
Ought
Resorts
Kind
Risk
Reserves
Wisdom
Risks

More quotes by Michael Josephson

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Never do anything for another with the expectation of gratitude. The expectation itself turns the gift into an exchange and suggests a debt is owed you.
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If we don't invest now in building character into children we will surely invest more tomorrow in trying to repair adults.
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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.
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Our expectation of the gratitude of others for what we've done for them is sometimes exaggerated because of our deep desire for appreciation and approval. When our good work or good deeds go unrewarded by hoped for praise, we feel like failures so we treat those who denied us our due as betrayers.
Michael Josephson
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What will matter in the end is not what you bought but what you built not what you got but what you gave not what you learned by what you taught. What will matter is not your competence but your character.
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Gratitude should be felt and experienced sincerely, expressed generously and received graciously.
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Don't sacrifice a good life for a good time.
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The key to a better life: Complain less, appreciate more. Whine less, laugh more. Talk less, listen more. Want less, give more. Hate less, love more. Scold less, praise more. Fear less, hope more.
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Whether we want them or not, the New Year will bring new challenges whether we seize them or not, the New year will bring new opportunities.
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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.
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Character is both formed and revealed by how one deals with everyday situations as well as extraordinary pressures and temptations. Like a well-made tower, character is built stone by stone, decision by decision.
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Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters.
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If we keep treating our most important values as meaningless relics, that's exactly what they'll become.
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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.
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At home, be grateful. At work, be appreciative. Gratitude is a gift we give ourselves. Appreciation is a gift we give to others.
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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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Gratitude is not a payment for a kindness but another form of gift.
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Character is the moral strength to do the right thing even when it costs more than you want to pay.
Michael Josephson
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Character is just another term for good person. A person of character lives a worthy life guided by moral principles. A person of character is a good parent, a good friend, a good employee and a good citizen.
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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