We are not here to play, to dream, to drift; we have hard work to do, and loads to lift, shun not the struggle! 'Tis God's gift! Be strong. 

--Maltbie D. Babcock 

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The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy. 
--Martin Luther King, Jr. 

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Why build these cities glorious, if man unbuilded goes? In vain we build the world, unless the builder grows. 

--Edwin Markham 

Treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always as an end and never as a means. 

--Immanuel Kant 

Refuse to die until you have won some victory for mankind. 

--Horace Mann 

See how the masses of men worry themselves into nameless graves, while here and there a great unselfish soul forgets himself into immortality. 

--Ralph Waldo Emerson 

God, give us men! 
A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and, ready hands; 
men whom the lust of office does not kill; 
men whom the spoils of office cannot buy; 
men who possess opinions and a will; 
men who have honor; men who will not lie; 
men who can stand before a demagogue and damn his treacherous flatteries without winking; 
tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog in public duty and in private thinking. 
--J.G. Holland 

No vision and you perish; 
no ideal, and you're lost; 
your heart must ever cherish some faith at any cost, 
some hope, 
some dream to cling to, 
some rainbow in the sky, 
some melody to sing to, 
some service that is high. 
--Harriet du Autremont 

We have mastered the air, conquered the sea, annihilated distance and prolonged life, but we are not wise enough to live on this earth without war and without hate. 
--Author Unknown 

We make our living by what we get. We make our life by what we give.
--Author Unknown 

Guiding Principle in Life 
To laugh often and much; 
To win the respect of intelligent people 
And the appreciation of honest critics 
And endure the betrayal of false friends 
To appreciate beauty 
To find the best in others 
To leave the world a bit better 
Whether by a healthy child, 
A garden patch, 
Or a redeemed social condition 
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; 
This is to have succeeded. 
--by Ralph Waldo Emerson

The truth always sounds cantankerous and feels cold to those without warmth.
--Renford Reese

Insensitivity makes arrogance ugly; empathy is what makes humility beautiful. 
--Renford Reese, July 2008 The Way I See It -- Starbucks Cup #294 

Remember the proud inhabitants of this land before 1492 
Remember King's Dream in 1963 
Remember The Feminine Mystique of 1963 
Remember Chavez's "No Grapes" in 1965 
Remember the Hart-Cellar Act of 1965 
Remember Stonewall in 1969 
Remember the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 
Let our collective memories forge unity forever.
--Renford Reese, January 26, 2009 Cal Poly Pomona Unity Luncheon 

 

In order for you to be a compelling person, you have to put yourself in a 
compelling situation.
--Renford Reese (Speech at Ming Chuan University, Taipei, Taiwan, 2010)

People are a reflection of the quotes they embrace.
--Renford Reese (Hong Kong Nights, 2010, p.21). 

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There is beauty and inspiration in the most unexpected places in the world.
--Renford Reese (Speech in Mumbai, India January 10, 2020)

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No one who is great has had a straight path toward their greatness.
--Renford Reese (Speech to Cal Poly Pomona Students, October 13,  2020)

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