Words from the quotations.

absorbing /əbˈzɔːr.bɪŋ/

adjective

Holding the attention completely.

engrossing, gripping, captivating

“If a book is well written, I always find it too short.” Language →

accumulate /əˈkjuː.mjə.leɪt/

verb

To gather or build up over time.

gather, amass, build up

“If you should put even a little on a little, and should do this often, soon thi…” Patience →

acquire /əˈkwaɪr/

verb

To gain or come to possess something, often through effort.

gain, obtain, learn

“The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.” Study →

advance /ədˈvæns/

verb

To move forward or make progress.

progress, further, promote

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Resilience →

agency /ˈeɪ.dʒən.si/

noun

The capacity to act and make your own choices.

control, power, autonomy

“Knowledge is power.” Graduation →

argue /ˈɑːr.ɡjuː/

verb

To give reasons for or against something; to debate.

debate, dispute, contend

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” Morning →

assault /əˈsɔːlt/

noun

A vigorous or determined attack.

attack, charge, onslaught

“Words ought to be a little wild, for they are the assault of thoughts on the un…” Language →

attention /əˈten.ʃən/

noun

Focused mental engagement with something.

focus, notice, awareness

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” Morning →

attitude /ˈæt.ə.tuːd/

noun

A settled way of thinking or feeling about something.

outlook, stance, mindset

“It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Never Give Up →

attribute /əˈtrɪb.juːt/

verb

To regard something as caused by.

credit, ascribe, assign

“I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.” Hard Work →

authentic /ɑːˈθen.tɪk/

adjective

Genuine; true to one's own character.

genuine, real, sincere

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Being Yourself →

bear /ber/

verb

To endure or tolerate something difficult.

endure, withstand, carry

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” Never Give Up →

begin /bɪˈɡɪn/

verb

To start; to do the first part of an action.

start, commence, launch

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Short →

belong /bɪˈlɔːŋ/

verb

To be the property of; to be rightly placed.

pertain, be owned by, fit

“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.” Wisdom →

bold /boʊld/

adjective

Confident and willing to take risks.

daring, fearless, audacious

“Fortune favours the bold.” Courage →

borrow /ˈbɑːr.oʊ/

verb

To take and use something temporarily, intending to give it back.

adopt, take on, use

“A different language is a different vision of life.” Language →

brevity /ˈbrev.ə.ti/

noun

Concise and exact use of words.

conciseness, shortness, economy

“Brevity is the soul of wit.” Language →

capable /ˈkeɪ.pə.bəl/

adjective

Having the ability to do something.

able, competent, skilled

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them become wh…” Leadership →

capacity /kəˈpæs.ə.ti/

noun

The ability to hold, do, or experience something.

ability, capability, power

“Joy is not in things; it is in us.” Happiness →

castle /ˈkæs.əl/

noun

A large fortified building; figuratively, a grand dream.

fortress, stronghold

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; now put the f…” Dreams →

certain /ˈsɜːr.tən/

adjective

Firmly convinced; known without doubt.

sure, confident, positive

“The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.” Study →

chaos /ˈkeɪ.ɑːs/

noun

Complete disorder and confusion.

disorder, turmoil, confusion

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” Beginnings →

circulate /ˈsɜːr.kjə.leɪt/

verb

To move continuously through a system or place.

flow, move, spread

“Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they…” Language →

collective /kəˈlek.tɪv/

adjective

Shared by or done by all members of a group.

shared, common, joint

“All language is an alphabet of symbols whose use presupposes a past shared by all.” Language →

comfort zone /ˈkʌm.fɚt zoʊn/

noun

A situation where one feels safe and at ease.

safe space, familiar ground

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” Courage →

command /kəˈmænd/

verb

To deserve and receive attention, respect, or control.

demand, attract, dominate

“Language is the dress of thought.” Language →

compound /kəmˈpaʊnd/

verb

To increase in value steadily, with gains building on previous gains.

accumulate, build, multiply

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Graduation →

concentrate /ˈkɑːn.sən.treɪt/

verb

To focus one's attention on a single thing.

focus, fix, center

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on t…” Mindfulness →

concise /kənˈsaɪs/

adjective

Giving much information clearly in few words.

brief, succinct, terse

“I have made this longer than usual because I have not had time to make it shorter.” Language →

conquer /ˈkɑːŋ.kɚ/

verb

To overcome and gain control over something.

overcome, defeat, master

“He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat.” Confidence →

constant /ˈkɑːn.stənt/

noun · adjective

Something unchanging; happening continuously.

steady, unchanging, permanent

“No man ever steps in the same river twice.” Change →

constitute /ˈkɑːn.stə.tuːt/

verb

To make up or form something.

form, compose, make up

“A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to b…” Mindfulness →

content /kənˈtent/

adjective

Satisfied with what one has; not wanting more.

satisfied, at ease, fulfilled

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your…” Being Yourself →

corridor /ˈkɔːr.ə.dɔːr/

noun

A long passage in a building with doors leading off it.

hallway, passage, aisle

“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door alo…” Language →

courage /ˈkɜːr.ɪdʒ/

noun

The ability to do something that frightens you.

bravery, nerve, valor

“Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarant…” Never Give Up →

crave /kreɪv/

verb

To want something very strongly.

long for, desire, yearn

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” Morning →

crooked /ˈkrʊk.ɪd/

adjective

Bent or twisted; not straight.

winding, bent, meandering

“Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement are…” Focus →

curiosity /ˌkjʊr.iˈɑː.sə.ti/

noun

A strong desire to know or learn something.

interest, inquisitiveness, wonder

curious /ˈkjʊr.i.əs/

adjective

Eager to know or learn something.

inquisitive, interested, questioning

“Learning never exhausts the mind.” Study →

current /ˈkɜːr.ənt/

noun

A steady flow of water, air, or events in one direction.

flow, stream, drift

“No man ever steps in the same river twice.” Change →

dare /der/

verb

To have the courage to do something risky.

venture, risk, brave

“To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.” Confidence →

deed /diːd/

noun

An action that is performed intentionally.

act, action, feat

“Well done is better than well said.” Monday →

defeat /dɪˈfiːt/

noun · verb

The state of being beaten; to win against.

loss, downfall; beat

“He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat.” Confidence →

deliberately /dɪˈlɪb.ɚ.ət.li/

adverb

In a careful, intentional way; on purpose.

intentionally, purposefully, consciously

“Lost time is never found again.” Perseverance →

depth /depθ/

noun

The quality of being deep, intense, or profound.

profundity, intensity, richness

“It is not length of life, but depth of life.” Happiness →

desire /dɪˈzaɪr/

noun

A strong feeling of wanting something.

wish, longing, appetite

“The desire to write grows with writing.” Language →

difficulty /ˈdɪf.ə.kəl.ti/

noun

A thing that is hard to accomplish or understand.

hardship, obstacle, trouble

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Hard Times →

diligence /ˈdɪl.ə.dʒəns/

noun

Careful and persistent effort.

care, industry, thoroughness

“What we hope ever to do with ease, we must first learn to do with diligence.” Study →

direct /dɪˈrekt/

adjective

Going straight to the point; clear and without detour.

straightforward, plain, clear

“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same thi…” Language →

discipline /ˈdɪs.ə.plɪn/

noun

Controlled, consistent behavior in pursuit of a goal.

self-control, restraint, willpower

“No man is free who is not master of himself.” Discipline →

dwell /dwel/

verb

To think or speak at length about something, often unhappily.

linger, brood, fixate

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on t…” Mindfulness →

ease /iːz/

noun

Absence of difficulty or effort.

facility, effortlessness, fluency

“What we hope ever to do with ease, we must first learn to do with diligence.” Study →

embody /ɪmˈbɑː.di/

verb

To be a clear example of a quality or idea.

personify, represent, exemplify

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” Morning →

emerge /ɪˈmɜːrdʒ/

verb

To come out into view or existence.

appear, surface, arise

“Slowly, slowly, the egg will walk.” Patience →

endurance /ɪnˈdʊr.əns/

noun

The ability to keep going through difficulty over time.

stamina, perseverance, staying power

endure /ɪnˈdʊr/

verb

To last over time; to remain in existence.

last, persist, survive

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” Life →

enlightenment /ɪnˈlaɪt.ən.mənt/

noun

Deep understanding or insight, especially about oneself or life.

insight, awakening, clarity

enter /ˈen.tɚ/

verb

To come or go into a place.

come in, penetrate, access

“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” Hard Times →

examine /ɪɡˈzæm.ɪn/

verb

To inspect or consider something carefully and in detail.

inspect, study, scrutinize

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” Life →

excellence /ˈek.sə.ləns/

noun

The quality of being outstanding or extremely good.

greatness, distinction, mastery

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Discipline →

excuse /ɪkˈskjuːs/

noun

A reason given to justify a fault or failure.

justification, pretext, alibi

“I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.” Hard Work →

exhaust /ɪɡˈzɔːst/

verb

To tire out completely; to use up.

drain, tire, deplete

“Learning never exhausts the mind.” Study →

fear /fɪr/

noun · verb

An unpleasant feeling caused by expected danger.

dread, alarm, anxiety

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.” Confidence →

fluent /ˈfluː.ənt/

adjective

Able to speak or write a language easily and accurately.

articulate, smooth, effortless

“Learn a new language and get a new soul.” Language →

footing /ˈfʊt.ɪŋ/

noun

A secure grip or stable position for the feet.

balance, foothold, stability

“To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.” Confidence →

foreign /ˈfɔːr.ən/

adjective

Belonging to or coming from a country other than your own.

external, unfamiliar, overseas

“He who knows no foreign languages knows nothing of his own.” Language →

forever /fɚˈev.ɚ/

adverb

For all future time; without ending.

eternally, always, endlessly

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Study →

forge /fɔːrdʒ/

verb

To create or shape something strong through effort.

build, form, hammer out

“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” Resilience →

fortune /ˈfɔːr.tʃən/

noun

Chance or luck, especially affecting one's life.

luck, chance, fate

“Fortune favours the bold.” Courage →

foundation /faʊnˈdeɪ.ʃən/

noun

The base on which something is built.

base, groundwork, footing

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; now put the f…” Dreams →

freedom /ˈfriː.dəm/

noun

The power to act, speak, or think without restriction.

liberty, independence, latitude

“The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom is courage.” Kindness →

friction /ˈfrɪk.ʃən/

noun

Resistance when one surface moves over another; conflict.

resistance, rubbing, tension

“The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a person perfected without tri…” Resilience →

genius /ˈdʒiː.ni.əs/

noun

Exceptional creative or intellectual power.

brilliance, originality, gift

“Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement are…” Focus →

glory /ˈɡlɔːr.i/

noun

Great honor, praise, or distinction earned by achievement.

honor, triumph, distinction

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Hard Times →

grace /ɡreɪs/

noun

Smooth, calm, and dignified composure or movement.

poise, elegance, composure

“Courage is grace under pressure.” Courage →

gradually /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ə.li/

adverb

Slowly, over a period of time.

steadily, progressively, little by little

“Slowly, slowly, the egg will walk.” Patience →

guarantee /ˌɡer.ənˈtiː/

verb

To make something certain to happen or be the case.

ensure, secure, assure

“Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarant…” Never Give Up →

habit /ˈhæb.ɪt/

noun

A regular practice or settled tendency, often done without thinking.

routine, custom, pattern

“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same thi…” Language →

harbor /ˈhɑːr.bɚ/

noun

A sheltered place where ships are kept safe.

port, haven, dock

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” Dreams →

hollow /ˈhɑː.loʊ/

verb

To make a hole or empty space in something.

carve, excavate, wear away

“Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.” Perseverance →

hope /hoʊp/

noun

A feeling of expectation and desire for something good.

optimism, expectation, faith

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” Hard Times →

humble /ˈhʌm.bəl/

adjective

Modest; not thinking you are better than others.

modest, unassuming, down-to-earth

“I am still learning.” Study →

humbling /ˈhʌm.blɪŋ/

adjective

Causing one to feel modest or aware of one's limitations.

modest, sobering, grounding

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Being Yourself →

humility /hjuːˈmɪl.ə.ti/

noun

A modest view of one's own importance; freedom from arrogance.

modesty, humbleness

imagination /ɪˌmædʒ.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

noun

The ability to form ideas or images in the mind.

fantasy, invention, vision

“We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.” Inner Peace →

imitation /ˌɪm.əˈteɪ.ʃən/

noun

The act of copying or modeling on something.

copying, mimicry, modeling

impediment /ɪmˈped.ə.mənt/

noun

Something that blocks or delays progress.

obstacle, barrier, hindrance

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Resilience →

inhabit /ɪnˈhæb.ɪt/

verb

To live in or occupy a place.

occupy, dwell in, reside in

“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” Language →

inspiration /ˌɪn.spəˈreɪ.ʃən/

noun

A sudden good idea or creative spark.

spark, insight, idea

“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Hard Work →

instructor /ɪnˈstrʌk.tɚ/

noun

A person who teaches a subject or skill.

teacher, trainer, tutor

“Practice is the best of all instructors.” Hard Work →

instrument /ˈɪn.strə.mənt/

noun

A tool or means used to achieve something.

tool, means, device

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Being Yourself →

intention /ɪnˈten.ʃən/

noun

A plan or aim to do something.

aim, plan, purpose

“Well done is better than well said.” Monday →

interpret /ɪnˈtɜːr.prət/

verb

To explain or decide the meaning of something.

read, understand, construe

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your…” Being Yourself →

invest /ɪnˈvest/

verb

To put time, effort, or money into something to gain a future benefit.

commit, devote, put in

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Graduation →

invisible /ɪnˈvɪz.ə.bəl/

adjective

Unable to be seen.

unseen, hidden, imperceptible

“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” Dreams →

involve /ɪnˈvɑːlv/

verb

To include someone so they take an active part.

engage, include, immerse

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Study →

inward /ˈɪn.wɚd/

adjective · adverb

Toward the inside; concerning one's own mind or feelings.

internal, inner, introspective

journey /ˈdʒɜːr.ni/

noun

An act of traveling from one place to another, often long.

trip, voyage, passage

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Short →

joy /dʒɔɪ/

noun

A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

delight, gladness, elation

“Joy is not in things; it is in us.” Happiness →

judgement /ˈdʒʌdʒ.mənt/

noun

An opinion or evaluation formed about someone.

opinion, assessment, verdict

“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.” Wisdom →

kindle /ˈkɪn.dəl/

verb

To light a fire; to arouse or inspire a feeling.

ignite, spark, awaken

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Study →

kindness /ˈkaɪnd.nəs/

noun

The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

compassion, generosity, warmth

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Kindness →

knowledge /ˈnɑː.lɪdʒ/

noun

Information and understanding gained through learning.

learning, understanding, expertise

“Knowledge is power.” Graduation →

limit /ˈlɪm.ɪt/

noun · verb

A point beyond which something cannot continue or extend.

boundary, edge, threshold

“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” Language →

mankind /mænˈkaɪnd/

noun

Human beings considered collectively; humanity.

humanity, humankind, people

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” Language →

master /ˈmæs.tɚ/

verb

To gain full control or skill over something.

command, control, conquer

“No man is free who is not master of himself.” Discipline →

mastery /ˈmæs.tɚ.i/

noun

Complete control or command over something.

command, control, dominance

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear — not absence of fear.” Courage →

merely /ˈmɪr.li/

adverb

Only; nothing more than.

only, simply, just

“You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” Beginnings →

midst /mɪdst/

noun

The middle part or point of something.

middle, center, thick

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” Beginnings →

mighty /ˈmaɪ.ti/

adjective

Possessing great and impressive power or strength.

powerful, formidable, strong

“He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty.” Wisdom →

momentum /moʊˈmen.təm/

noun

The force that keeps something moving once it has started.

drive, impetus, motion

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” Perseverance →

obstacle /ˈɑːb.stə.kəl/

noun

Something that blocks progress.

barrier, hurdle, block

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disap…” Patience →

often /ˈɔː.fən/

adverb

Many times; frequently.

frequently, repeatedly, regularly

“If you should put even a little on a little, and should do this often, soon thi…” Patience →

opportunity /ˌɑː.pɚˈtuː.nə.ti/

noun

A favourable moment or set of circumstances that makes something possible.

chance, opening, opening

“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door alo…” Language →

optimist /ˈɑːp.tə.mɪst/

noun

A person who expects good outcomes.

hopeful, positive thinker

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportuni…” Optimism →

passionately /ˈpæʃ.ən.ət.li/

adverb

With strong, intense feeling or enthusiasm.

ardently, intensely, eagerly

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” Hard Work →

patience /ˈpeɪ.ʃəns/

noun

The ability to accept delay or difficulty calmly, without frustration.

endurance, tolerance, calm

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Study →

perceive /pɚˈsiːv/

verb

To become aware of or notice something through the senses or mind.

notice, discern, grasp

“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” Language →

perch /pɜːrtʃ/

verb

To sit or rest on something, as a bird does.

settle, roost, alight

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” Hard Times →

perseverance /ˌpɜːr.səˈvɪr.əns/

noun

Steady persistence despite difficulty.

persistence, tenacity, grit

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disap…” Patience →

persistence /pɚˈsɪs.təns/

noun

Continuing steadily despite difficulty or delay.

perseverance, determination, grit

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” Perseverance →

perspiration /ˌpɜːr.spəˈreɪ.ʃən/

noun

Sweat; by extension, hard effort.

sweat, effort, toil

“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Hard Work →

pessimist /ˈpes.ə.mɪst/

noun

A person who expects bad outcomes.

cynic, doubter

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportuni…” Optimism →

plant /plænt/

verb

To put a seed or tree in the ground to grow.

sow, seed, establish

“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” Patience →

potential /pəˈten.ʃəl/

noun

Latent qualities that may be developed.

promise, capacity, possibility

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them become wh…” Leadership →

powerful /ˈpaʊ.ɚ.fəl/

adjective

Having great strength, force, or influence.

strong, potent, forceful

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” Language →

practice /ˈpræk.tɪs/

noun · verb

Repeated performance of an activity to improve skill.

drill, rehearsal, training

“Practice is the best of all instructors.” Hard Work →

precise /prɪˈsaɪs/

adjective

Exact, accurate, and clearly defined.

exact, accurate, specific

“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the differen…” Language →

precision /prɪˈsɪʒ.ən/

noun

The quality of being exact and accurate.

accuracy, exactness, clarity

“Language is the dress of thought.” Language →

preparation /ˌprep.əˈreɪ.ʃən/

noun

The action of getting ready for something.

readiness, groundwork, planning

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Success →

prepared /prɪˈperd/

adjective

Ready and equipped for something.

ready, equipped, primed

“To be prepared is half the victory.” Study →

present /ˈprez.ənt/

noun

The period of time now occurring.

now, today, the moment

“Nothing is worth more than this day.” Mindfulness →

pressure /ˈpreʃ.ɚ/

noun

A demanding or stressful influence or situation.

strain, stress, tension

“Courage is grace under pressure.” Courage →

presuppose /ˌpriː.səˈpoʊz/

verb

To assume or require something as a prior condition.

assume, imply, require

“All language is an alphabet of symbols whose use presupposes a past shared by all.” Language →

profound /prəˈfaʊnd/

adjective

Very deep or intense; showing great insight.

deep, intense, meaningful

“It is not length of life, but depth of life.” Happiness →

purpose /ˈpɜːr.pəs/

noun

The reason something exists or is done.

aim, function, intention

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” Dreams →

react /riˈækt/

verb

To respond to something that has happened.

respond, answer, reply

“It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Never Give Up →

reality /riˈæl.ə.ti/

noun

The state of things as they actually are.

actuality, fact, truth

“We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.” Inner Peace →

realize /ˈriː.ə.laɪz/

verb

To become fully aware of something as a fact; to understand clearly.

grasp, recognize, understand

“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will…” Inner Peace →

reclaim /rɪˈkleɪm/

verb

To get back something that was lost or taken.

recover, regain, retrieve

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.” Life →

recover /rɪˈkʌv.ɚ/

verb

To return to a normal state after a setback.

rebound, bounce back, regain

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” Perseverance →

reflection /rɪˈflek.ʃən/

noun

Serious thought or consideration.

contemplation, thought, meditation

remember /rɪˈmem.bɚ/

verb

To keep something in mind or bring it back to mind.

recall, retain, memorize

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Study →

resilience /rɪˈzɪl.i.əns/

noun

The ability to recover quickly from difficulty.

toughness, grit, elasticity

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” Perseverance →

resistance /rɪˈzɪs.təns/

noun

The act of opposing or withstanding something.

opposition, defiance, pushback

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear — not absence of fear.” Courage →

reveal /rɪˈviːl/

verb

To make something previously hidden known or visible.

show, uncover, disclose

“He who knows no foreign languages knows nothing of his own.” Language →

revise /rɪˈvaɪz/

verb

To re-examine and improve written work.

edit, refine, rework

“I have made this longer than usual because I have not had time to make it shorter.” Language →

rise /raɪz/

verb

To get up after falling; to move upward.

stand up, recover, ascend

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Hard Times →

scare /sker/

verb

To frighten or make nervous.

frighten, alarm, unnerve

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” Courage →

secret /ˈsiː.krət/

noun

The key or hidden reason behind something.

key, basis, essence

“The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom is courage.” Kindness →

sequence /ˈsiː.kwəns/

noun

A particular order in which things follow each other.

order, series, progression

“Begin at the beginning, and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” Beginnings →

skillful /ˈskɪl.fəl/

adjective

Having or showing ability and expertise.

adept, accomplished, deft

“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” Resilience →

soul /soʊl/

noun

The spiritual or emotional part of a person; their inner self.

spirit, essence, heart

“Learn a new language and get a new soul.” Language →

spend /spend/

verb

To use time, money, or energy on something.

use, devote, expend

“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” Life →

stare /ster/

verb

To look fixedly at something.

gaze, gape, watch

“You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” Beginnings →

still /stɪl/

adverb

Up to and including the present time; even now.

yet, even now, continually

“I am still learning.” Study →

strength /streŋkθ/

noun

The quality of being strong, in body, mind, or character.

power, resilience, fortitude

“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will…” Inner Peace →

stronger /ˈstrɔːŋ.ɚ/

adjective

Having more strength or power than before.

tougher, hardier, sturdier

subtle /ˈsʌt.əl/

adjective

So delicate or fine as to be hard to notice.

fine, slight, nuanced

“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the differen…” Language →

taken /ˈteɪ.kən/

adjective

Already claimed or occupied.

claimed, occupied, reserved

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Being Yourself →

talent /ˈtæl.ənt/

noun

A natural ability to do something well.

gift, aptitude, flair

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” Hard Work →

trial /ˈtraɪ.əl/

noun

A difficult or testing experience.

hardship, ordeal, test

“The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a person perfected without tri…” Resilience →

understand /ˌʌn.dɚˈstænd/

verb

To grasp the meaning or nature of something.

comprehend, grasp, fathom

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.” Confidence →

valuable /ˈvæl.jə.bəl/

adjective

Worth a great deal; very useful or important.

precious, prized, worthwhile

“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” Life →

venture /ˈven.tʃɚ/

verb

To dare to do or say something risky.

dare, risk, attempt

“Begin, be bold, and venture to be wise.” Beginnings →

vessel /ˈves.əl/

noun

A container for holding liquid.

container, receptacle, jar

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” Study →

victory /ˈvɪk.tɚ.i/

noun

Success in a struggle or contest.

win, triumph, success

“To be prepared is half the victory.” Study →

vision /ˈvɪʒ.ən/

noun

The way a person understands or imagines something; the act of seeing.

outlook, perspective, sight

“A different language is a different vision of life.” Language →

warrior /ˈwɔːr.i.ɚ/

noun

A brave or experienced fighter.

fighter, champion, soldier

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” Patience →

waste /weɪst/

verb · noun

To use something carelessly or without good purpose.

squander, fritter, misuse

“Lost time is never found again.” Perseverance →

wasted /ˈweɪ.stɪd/

adjective

Used without benefit or purpose.

squandered, pointless, futile

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Kindness →

well written /wel ˈrɪt.ən/

adjective

Composed with skill and clarity.

polished, skillful, elegant

“If a book is well written, I always find it too short.” Language →

wild /waɪld/

adjective

Not tame or controlled; free and full of energy.

untamed, bold, vivid

“Words ought to be a little wild, for they are the assault of thoughts on the un…” Language →

wisdom /ˈwɪz.dəm/

noun

The quality of having good judgment and deep understanding.

insight, sagacity, understanding

“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” Wisdom →

wit /wɪt/

noun

Quick intelligence, often expressed humorously.

cleverness, humour, sharpness

“Brevity is the soul of wit.” Language →

wonder /ˈwʌn.dɚ/

noun

A feeling of amazement and curious admiration.

awe, curiosity, marvel

“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” Wisdom →

worth /wɜːrθ/

noun

The value or importance of something.

value, merit, importance

“Nothing is worth more than this day.” Mindfulness →

wound /wuːnd/

noun

An injury, or a lasting emotional hurt.

injury, hurt, cut

“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” Hard Times →