Lars Toomre

Some Personal Thoughts and Trivia

Responsibility

John Lennon on Hope

Japanese model Minase Yashiro poses with arms above head in red bikini

The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn't the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility.

English musician, singer, and songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as founder of "The Beatles" (1940 - 1980)

Troubles with Free Will and Whom to Blame

Blonde German woman with beer steins

One of the annoying things about believing in free will and individual responsibility is the difficulty of finding somebody to blame your problems on. And when you do find somebody, it's remarkable how often his picture turns up on your driver's license.

American political satirist, journalist, writer, and author (born 1947)

Steve Davis on Personal Responsibility

Brunette beauty and model Amanda Brandao poses in grey

It may not be your fault for being down, but it's got to be your fault for not getting up.

An English professional snooker player

Thought for Today: Choose Feelings

Huts on stilts off-shore the teal colored waters of Tahiti

If your days seem filled with unwanted negative feelings, there is only one cure. When they come, choose them. Don't ask why, don't wonder how, don't fight them and never put yourself down for having them. But most of all never blame someone else for how you feel. If you do, it means you are still fast asleep and your choice is to be a victim. When the feelings come, even big disturbing emotional feelings say, "I choose this feeling" and know it comes because of something you have thought or done in the past, perhaps a certain belief that you have learned or an attachment that is threatened. Choice does not mean you want the feelings, but it does mean you are taking responsibility for them. And that is the beginning of self mastery. It is the first step to the healing and resolving of your emotions. But only the first step. Try this today and then ask yourself what the next step might be. If you are really interested to know, you will come to know!

Warrior Must Continue To Completion

Blonde actress Cameron Diaz emerges from ocean in a cute bikini

Whenever a warrior decides to do something, he must go all the way, but he must take responsibility for what he does. No matter what he does, he must know first why he is doing it, and then he must proceed with his actions without having doubts or remorse about them.

Peruvian-born American anthropologist and author (1925 - 1998)

Assuming No Hope, Guarantees It Will Be So

Blonde model Kate Upton sit on beach in a Long Hot Summer blue bikini

Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so. If you assume there is no hope, you guarantee there will be no hope.

American linguist, cognitive scientist and long-time professor at MIT (born 1928)

Doing Our Best Is Our Sacred Human Responsibility

Blonde beauty Marloes Horst models a blue dress and hat on a beach

We have to do the best we are capable of. This is our sacred human responsibility.

Winner of Noble Prize for Physics in 1921 (1879 - 1955)

Americans Love Their Captivity

Brunette model Alison Armitage (using the name Brittany York) was Playboy's Playmate of the Month for October 1990

Americans love their captivity. There's no responsibility. When you're a captive, you don't have to make a decision about anything, though you have no Liberty. People don't want Liberty. Liberty is nothing but uncertainty. It's much easier to have someone tell you where you'll be, what you'll do and who you'll pay tomorrow than to worry about it yourself. The same goes for what you think.

Last protege of Ezra Pound as reported by James Dyer in A Recent Visit with Eustace Mullins on May 8, 2004

Dorcas Hardy on Responsibility

Image of jigsaw puzzle pieces tumbling against a green and black background

The one with the primary responsibility to the individual's future is that individual.

Former Commissioner of the Social Security Administration

A Successful Person Realizes His Personal Responsibility

Cartoon of man with open arms questioning his Responsibility

A successful person realizes his personal responsibility for self-motivation. He starts with himself because he possesses the key to his own ignition switch.

Founder of Holiday Inn Hotels

America Has A Great Responsibility In Sphere of International Politics

Blonde model Amanda Corey smiles in a black blouse

The United States is the most powerful among the technically advanced countries in the world today. Its influence on the shaping of international relations is absolutely incalculable. But America is a large country, and its people have so far not shown much interest in great international problems, among which the problem of disarmament occupies first place today.

This must be changed, if only in America’s own interest. The last war has shown that there are no longer any barriers between the continents and that the destinies of all countries are closely interwoven. The people of this country must realize that they have a great responsibility in the sphere of international politics. The part of passive spectator is unworthy of this country and is bound in the end to lead to disaster all round.

From an interview in the Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant, 1921

Awe-Inspiring Responsibility For The Future

Brunette model Melissa poses in a pretty pattern bikini

The United States stands at the pinnacle of world power. This is a solemn moment for the American democracy. For with primacy in power is joined an awe-inspiring accountability for the future.

British Prime Minister during World War II (1874 - 1965)

Price of Greatness

Brunette model Jenny Arzola reclines on sand in a sexy bikini

The price of greatness is responsibility.

British Prime Minister during World War II (1874 - 1965)

The Perfect Bureaucrat

British comedian Rowan Atkinson famous for his "Mr. Bean" character

The perfect bureaucrat everywhere is the man who manages to make no decisions and escape all responsibility.

New York Times theater critic from 1925 - 1960

You Are Responsible

You are responsible quote by August Wilson

You are responsible for the world that you live in. It is not the government's responsibility. It is not your school's or your social club's or your church's or your neighbor's or your fellow citizen's. It is yours, utterly and singularly yours.

American playwright

Thought for Today: The Secret of Good Health

Flow like a flowing brook is a secret to good physical and mental health

The secret of good health is good nourishment and exercise. We need daily nourishing food and exercise to maintain a healthy body and it takes care and attentiom to fulfil this responsibility. Making the effort underlines our value and importance as a human being. However, the human spirit needs the same attention in the form of the thoughts we have and how the mind puts them to use. Feeding both body and mind with nourishing food gives a powerful and consistent message to respect and co-operate with one another. This is holistic good health.

Denis Waitley on Change

Blonde model Natalia Paris in teal floral bikini

There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.

Motivational speaker, consultant and best-selling author

Thought for Today: On Responsibilities

Ice along the edge of Lake Campotosto near Abruzzi, Italy

If you take your responsibilities not as a burden but as a game, you will play with them with lightness and cheer.

Ultimate Authority Rests With American People

Brunette model Arianny Celeste walks along beach in a teal bikini

Americans cannot escape a certain responsibility for what is done in our name around the world. In a democracy, even one as corrupted as ours, ultimate authority rests with the people. We empower the government with our votes, finance it with our taxes, bolster it with our silent acquiescence. If we are passive in the face of America's official actions overseas, we in effect endorse them.

American independent journalist

Volunteering Is A Responsibility

Blonde Italian TV presenter Benedetta Mazza poses in pageant swimsuit

Volunteering is not a choice, it’s a responsibility.

Senior manager at North Texas Volunteer Challenge Agency