Quotes About Autonomy

Nobody can give you freedom, nobody can give you equality or justice. If you are a man, you take it.

The political philosophy of black nationalism only means that the black man should control the politics and the politicians in his own community. The time when white people can come in our community and get us to vote for them so that they can be our political leaders and tell us what to do and what not to do is long gone.

I will not play a minor role in my own life (p. 271)

A man must stand erect, not be kept erect by others.

Be your own master, and look at things as a man, as a human being, as a citizen, as a mortal creature.

Be cheerful also, and seek not external help nor the tranquility which others give. A man then must stand erect, not be kept erect by others.

Anything in any way beautiful derives its beauty from itself and asks nothing beyond itself. Praise is no part of it, for nothing is made worse or better by praise.

How much time he saves who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks.

Self reliance, always. And cheerfulness.

No thefts of free will reported."[—Epictetus.]

Things of themselves cannot touch the soul at all. They have no entry to the soul, and cannot turn or move it. The soul alone turns and moves itself, making all externals presented to it cohere with the judgements it thinks worthy of itself.

Show by a cheerful look that you don't need the help or comfort of others. Standing up - not propped up.

Every man's happiness depends from himself, but behold thy life is almost at an end, whiles affording thyself no respect, thou dost make thy happiness to consist in the souls, and conceits of other men.

Remember that to change your mind and to accept correction are free acts too. The action is yours, based on your own will, your own decision—and your own mind.

The mind is that which is roused and directed by itself. It makes of itself what it chooses. It makes what it chooses of its own experience.

67. Nature did not blend things so inextricably that you can't draw your own boundaries—place your own well-being in your own hands. It's quite possible to be a good man without anyone realizing it. Remember that.

Another does wrong. What is that to me? Let him look to it; he has his own disposition, his own activity. I have now what Universal Nature wills me to have, and I do what my own nature wills me to do.

You have to assemble you life yourself - action by action. And be satisfied if each one achieves its goal, as far as it can. No one can keep that from happening.

And so shalt thou confess, if thou dost observe it. For sooner mayst thou find a thing earthly, where no earthly thing is, than find a man that naturally can live by himself alone.

he is poor, who has need of another, and has not from himself all things that are useful for life.

el no dejarme regir, ni aun en las cosas mínimas, por otros principios que por la razón;

According to this theory, man is like a dog tied to a moving wagon. If the dog refuses to run along with the wagon he will be dragged by it, yet the choice remains his: to run or be dragged.

8. The mind is that which is roused and directed by itself. It makes of itself what it chooses. It makes what it chooses of its own experience.

alegre e sereno, e não busque a tranquilidade nos outros. Um homem deve se manter ereto, apoiado em si mesmo, e não se valer dos demais como muleta.