Albert Ellis

“Life is indeed difficult, partly because of the real difficulties we must overcome in order to survive, and partly because of our own innate desire to always do better, to overcome new challenges, to self-actualize. Happiness is experienced largely in striving towards a goal, not in having attained things, because our nature is always to want to go on to the next endeavor.”

“The emotionally mature individual should completely accept the fact that we live in a world of probability and chance, where there are not, nor probably ever will be, any absolute certainties, and should realize that it is not at all horrible, indeed—such a probabilistic, uncertain world.”

“For that again, is what all manner of religion essentially is: childish dependency.If something is irrational, that means it won't work. It's usually unrealistic.People don't just get upset. They contribute to their upsetness.People have motives and thoughts of which they are unaware.Rational beliefs bring us closer to getting good results in the real world.Self-esteem is the greatest sickness known to man or woman because it's conditional.The art of love is largely the art of persistence.”

“Spirit and soul is horseshit of the worst sort. Obviously there are no fairies, no Santa Clauses, no spirits. What there is, is human goals and purposes as noted by sane existentialists. But a lot of transcendentalists are utter screwballs.”

“If the Martians ever find out how human beings think, they'll kill themselves laughing.”

“There are three musts that hold us back: I must do well. You must treat me well . And the world must be easy.”

“Acceptance is not love. You love a person because he or she has lovable traits, but you accept everybody just because they're alive and human.”

“The art of love... is largely the art of persistence. ”

“The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.”