words to live by

This is the true joy in life, to be used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, to be thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap.

To be a force of nature instead of a feverish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. 

I  am a member of a community and as a member it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can before I die.  Life is no brief candle to me.  It is a sort of splendid torch that I want to make burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

              -- George Bernard Shaw