We continue our exploration of John Templeton’s twenty-one steps detailed in The Templeton Plan by reviewing Step 6: Finding the Positive with Every Negative. Sir John firmly believed that happiness breeds success and he was always fond of quotes, so below are some of his favorites on that concern the lessons of Step 6.
“When you look at the world in a narrow way, how narrow it seems! When you look at it in a mean way, how mean it is! When you look at it selfishly, how selfish it is! But when you look at it in a broad, generous, friendly spirit, what wonderful people you find in it.”—Horace Rutledge
“You will find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make an earnest effort to confer that pleasure on other? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy.”—Lydia Maria Child
“Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles. What do we live for if not to make the world less difficult for each other.”—George Eliot
“Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. Mental trouble was never known to arise from such quarters. Though they do not cost much yet they accomplish much. The make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men’s souls and a beautiful image it is.”—Blaise Pascal
“I can complain because rosebushes have thorns or rejoice because thornbushes have roses. It’s all how you look at it.”—J. Kenfield Morley
“The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown at it and it will in turn look sourly upon you; laugh at it and with it and it is a jolly, kind companion.”—William Makepeace Thackery
