Abraham Lincoln

“As a nation, we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal.' We now practically read it 'all men are created equal, except negroes.' When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”

Psalms 119-165

King James Bible, Psalms 119-165

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Viktor Frankl

 

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing:

the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude..."

Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning

In reference to the above Viktor Frankl quote: 

In even the most extreme situation we still choose our next action even if only a thought or feeling. Even though a threat may lead to our sure death it does not absolutely determine our next choice or the consequences of that choice. When we experience fear the larger danger is to choose powerlessness. Closely focusing on a bully is a mistake. Listening too closely to fearful and impulsive people as they make impulsive choices is a mistake.  Owning my choice and my possible outcomes gives me at least a bit of autonomy... and peace.

Chuck Britt