to all appearances

To all appearances he is a fool. His steps leave no trace.

Chuang-tzu, The Perfect Man

seek freedom

Seek freedom and become captive of your desires; seek discipline and find your liberty.

Frank Herbert, Dune

our imperfections

We are imperfect people. And it is often in our imperfections that we grow into our best selves. Our imperfections make us trustworthy.

DeRay McKesson

how to be good

1. Define what “good” means to you.
2. Be good for its own sake.
3. Be proactive: Actually do good things, not just avoid bad things.
4. Consider the results.
5. Consider the greater good.
6. Be balanced.
7. Give people the benefit of the doubt.
8. Keep learning: Constantly improve your understanding of what goodness means.
9. Find a guide.
10. Be a guide to others.
11. Delight in goodness.

WikiHow

how to be a better person

1. Getting Started
   1. Become more self-aware.
   2. Set goals for yourself.
   3. Find a role model.
2. Exercising Compassion
   1. Learn to love yourself.
   2. Learn to control anger and jealousy.
   3. Practice empathy.
   4. Show people that you care.
   5. Be appreciative.
   6. Give to others.
3. Choosing the Right Path
   1. Explore your talents.
   2. Do what you love.
   3. Practice self-control.
   4. Thank people who help you along the way.

WikiHow

so much in us

There’s so much good in the worst of us,
And so much bad in the best of us,
That it ill behooves the most of us
To stand and judge the rest of us.

unknown

transformation

Can a man who has done bad become good?

StraightDope

bad man’s teacher

What is a good man but a bad man’s teacher?
What is a bad man but a good man’s job?

If you don’t understand this, you will get lost, no matter how clever you are. It is the great secret.

Verse 27, Tao Te Ching