“I think the most important thing for you to do in the meantime is live. It is a very involving job, which takes much concentration and practice.”

“The important thing is not to think much but to love much; and so do that which best stirs you to love.”

“The most important thing is not to think very much about oneself. To investigate candidly the charge; but not fussily, not very anxiously. On no account to retaliate by going to the other extreme -- thinking too much.”

“Don't try to leave for there's so very much to do, and you still have over eight hundred years to go on the first job.' 'But why do only unimportant things?' 'Think of all the trouble it saves. If you only do the easy and useless jobs, you'll never have to worry about the important ones which are so difficult. You just won't have the time. For there's always something to do to keep you from what you really should be doing.”

“Don't be too ambitious. Do the most important thing you can think of doing every year and then your career will take care of itself.”

“The power to concentrate was the most important thing. Living without this power would be like opening one’s eyes without seeing anything.”