Jesse Owens Quotes

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Friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition.  Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust.

The battles that count aren’t the ones for gold medals.  The struggles within yourself–the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us–that’s where it’s at.

Jesse Owens (1913-1980) was an American track and field athlete.  During the 1936 summer Olympics, he became the first athlete to win four gold medals in a single Olympiad.

Knute Rockne Quotes

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Make the present good, and the past will take care of itself.

One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it.

Knute Rockne (1888-1931) was a Norwegian-born, American football player and college football coach.  During his 13 seasons of coaching at the University of  Notre Dame, his teams won 100 games and earned three national championships.

Elmer L. Towns Quote

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Just as my mother reminded me to live up to the reputation of my family name, we all need to be reminded to live up to the reputation of of the name of Jesus.

From Philippians 2:9-10:  “Therefore God exalted Him even more highly and gave Him the name that is above every other name, so that at the name given to Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”

Elmer L. Towns (born 1932) is an American pastor and Christian writer.  Along with Jerry Falwell, he co-founded Liberty University in 1971.

John Wooden Quotes

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Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

John Wooden (1910-2010) was an American college basketball coach.  While coaching the UCLA Bruins mens basketball team from 1948-1975, he was nicknamed the “Wizard of Westwood.”  During a 12-year period, his teams won ten national championships, including seven in a row.

Oswald Chambers Quote

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We act like pagans in a crisis, only one out of a crowd is daring enough to bank his faith in the character of God.

From Luke 9:61-62:  “Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'”

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher.  Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons.  Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST.  I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.

Horace Greeley Quotes

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Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wing, and only character endures.

The best way to secure future happiness is to be as happy as is rightfully possible today.

Horace Greeley (1811-1872) was an American newspaper editor and publisher.

Words Matter

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Wisdom always teaching

Every day, words matter

Sharing encouragement

Negative now scatters

 

Gentleness in spirit

Words of inspiration

Sending intended grace

Fragrance of carnations

 

Pleasant conversation

Cooler than grill’s briquettes

Reflecting heart’s sweetness

Love guiding words’ mindset

 

Strangers greeted as friends

Careful with choice of words

Sharing joy with others

Kindness stirred, always heard

 

Words echo character

Softness cradles each thought

Thinking before saying

Always, as mother taught

 

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Dignity Intact (Haiku Series #274)

Resolute

Solid character

Bracing against every storm—

Always standing tall

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Sincere

Genuine remarks

Appreciating others—

Integrity speaks

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Resilient

Fame’s fleeting limelight

Humility covers heart—

Enduring respect

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Kaibara Ekken Quotes

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The aim of learning is the formation of character.

There is a secret key to nurturing your health. This key is an essential secret transmission that any person aiming to take good care of himself must understand and observe.  The secret is in the single word decrease.  Decrease means to reduce all of your ten thousand affairs and avoid increasing them.  Be frugal in everything or, in other words, decrease your desires.

Kaibara Ekken (1630-1714) was a Japanese philosopher and writer.

William Penn Quotes

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In all debates, let truth be thy aim, not victory, or an unjust interest.

No man is fit to command another that cannot command himself.

William Penn (1644-1718) was an English writer and religious thinker.  This influential Quaker founded the province of Pennsylvania in the American colonies under British rule.