Quotes about Perspective

Given my view that tragedy is normal, I try to be happy unless something happens that makes me unhappy, rather than unhappy unless something makes me happy. Most people go through life waiting for something wonderful to happen to make them happy. My attitude is so long as nothing terrible is happening to us, we ought to be happy.

Most people believe if God performed a miracle—just one miracle—for them, they would surely and permanently believe in God. But, as explained in the commentary to Exodus 16:2, human nature doesn't work that way. The power of witnessing a miracle wears off quickly, and most individuals soon need (or merely want) another miracle. Over time, most people's attitude toward those who have done something good for them is: "What have you done for me lately?

We are always at our best when compassion enables us to recognize the unique pressures and singular stories of the people on the other side of our conflicts.

The way to understand any enemy is to realize that, from his perspective, he is not a villain but a hero.

When we accept our own pain we can begin to see past it to the other person's woundedness. We can begin to consider that if we were in their shoes, if we stood inside their story, we might have done to others what they did to us.

Women, you need to understand something. Men are not as dumb as you think they are.

When you truly empathize with someone, you have to take into account all the things that make that person who they are.

I have never met leadership without a sense of humor; this ability to stand outside oneself and one's circumstances, to see things in perspective and laugh. It is a great safety value! You will never lead others far without the joy of the Lord and its concomitant, a sense of humor.3

The modern liberals, on the other hand, say that Jesus is God not because they think high of Jesus, but because they think desperately low of God.

Strictly speaking, my interest is not in legal rights for animals but in a change of heart towards animals.

Those who have most powerfully and permanently influenced their generation have been "seers" -- people who have seen more and farther than others -- persons of faith, for faith is vision.

Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find the right road.