Why should we think upon things that are lovely? Because thinking determines life. It is a common habit to blame life upon the environment. Environment modifies life but does not govern life. The soul is stronger than its surroundings.
Interpretation
Our thoughts shape our reality, and we have the power to choose positive perspectives despite external circumstances.
In this quote, William James emphasizes the importance of our thoughts and perceptions in determining the quality of our lives. While external factors can influence us, it is ultimately our mindset and internal strength that govern our experiences. By focusing on lovely and positive thoughts, we can empower ourselves to rise above our surroundings and live more fulfilling lives.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal growth.
Many persons nowadays seem to think that any conclusion must be very scientific if the arguments in favor of it are derived from twitching of frogs' legs (especially if the frogs are decapitated) and that, on the other hand, any doctrine chiefly vouched for by the feelings of human beings (with heads on their shoulders) must be benighted and superstitious.
The man who knows governments most completely is he who troubles himself least about a definition which shall give their essence. Enjoying an intimate acquaintance with all their particularities in turn, he would naturally regard an abstract conception in which these were unified as a thing more misleading than enlightening.
All the higher, more penetrating ideals are revolutionary. They present themselves far less in the guise of effects of past experience than in that of probable causes of future experience, factors to which the environment and the lessons it has so far taught us must learn to bend.
The lunatic's visions of horror are all drawn from the material of daily fact. Our civilization is founded on the shambles, and every individual existence goes out in a lonely spasm of helpless agony.
It is astonishing how many mental operations we can explain when we have once grasped the principles of association
As there is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it, so reasonable arguments, challenges to magnanimity, and appeals to sympathy or justice, are folly when we are dealing with human crocodiles and boa-constrictors.
The only devils in the world are those running around in our own hearts - that is where the battle should be fought.
States are not moral agents, people are, and can impose moral standards on powerful institutions.
Chaos was the law of nature; Order was the dream of man.
The end of labor is to gain leisure.
Of course I don't believe in it [pointing to horseshoe on his office wall]. But I understand that it brings you luck whether you believe in it or not.
There are nettles everywhere, but smooth, green grasses are more common still; the blue of heaven is larger than the cloud.
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