Sources cited in MLA format.


Butler, Smedley. "General Butler and Doctor Oppenheimer."  People Paths, 26 Feb. 2012. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. <http://pastparallelpaths.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/general-butler-and-doctor-oppenheimer/>.

Unknown. "Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin." ushistory.org. 4 May 1995. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.    <http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info/index.htm>.

Unknown. "Eleanor Roosevelt Biography." Famous Biographies & TV Shows. Biography.com, 1 Jan. 2012.    Web. 12 Dec. 2012. <http://www.biography.com/people/eleanor-roosevelt-9463366>.

"Never settle in life" - Kevin Stolsig

Kevin, my father, has provided me with guidance since as long as I can remember. He has always been there for me; he coached me through several years of youth football, and has been involved in my recent shift towards track and field. He has always provided for me and the rest of my family, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

A picture taken of my father, my brother, and myself in my early childhood.

One of the most important lessons that my father has taught me is to never settle in life. Never be okay with "good enough", in any aspect of your life. I learned, throughout my childhood, to always do as best as I possibly could on everything I did. This lesson has driven me to pursue perfection academically and athletically, and provided the determination required to excel in both categories. While it has been challenging at times (when a "B" is considered sub-par), I have usually found it in myself to rise above the tribulations and meet the my father's expectations, mainly because I know that he only desires such high marks because he loves me and wants me to succeed in whatever I do.

 Over time, I began to learn to seek perfection for personal satisfaction, rather to meet the demands of my father, which of course is the goal of any mentor, parent or not.

"The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears it is true." - J. Robert Oppenheimer.

J. Robert Oppenheimer was a brilliant physicist of his time, ultimately proving vital to the construction of the first atomic bombs.

Julius Robert Oppenheimer was one of the great American physicists of his time. Working with Albert Einstein, Oppenheimer was one of the leading researchers of the Manhattan Project, and was instrumental in the development of the first atomic bomb. After the detonation of the first nuclear weapon, he regretted everything he had contributed to the project, knowing that he had just created a true "weapon of mass destruction". 

This quote holds amazing complexity and depth while maintaining a beautiful simplicity. The first half, "The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds" focuses on the good in life, shares a view that has faith in the nature of us humans, and hopes that in all of our advancements we have come to make this world the best place that it could possibly be. This outlook is heartening, but is optimistic to the point of naivety. However, the second half, "The pessimist fears it is true", lands on the other side of the spectrum. The second half brings to mind the considerable flaws in our world; the widespread of starvation and disease throughout Africa, or the thousands killed every year in wars motivated by cultural and political differences. The pessimist fears that the world we have created is as good as it could possibly get, because he knows that overall, it's not that good.

"You're only competition is the clock." - Coach Valentino Espinoza

The logo of the local elite track club, Escambia Elite.

Coach Espinoza is man that I consider a mentor of mine. He is the best trainer in my area for track and field, and I have worked with him for over two and a half years now. He has guided me through many setbacks, including injuries, motivational struggles, and even the occasional mental breakdown. He has attempted to instill his vast amount of life experience into me over the years that we have worked together, and I appreciate everything that he has done for me. 

While this quote may not carry much significance out of its context, this is one of the most important lessons my coach has ever taught me. This saying will be heard often from Coach Espinoza as he prepares the members of his track and field club, Escambia Elite, to compete. His message is simple: do not compare yourself to the other runners (or in my case, throwers) while competing. Rather, strive to compete against yourself. Try to set a new personal record every time you compete. It does not matter what place you come in or if you get a medal; it only matters that perform to the very best of your ability.

A picture taken in 2011 of all competitors and coaches from Escambia Elite Track Club

Under his training and guidance, I have grown from a thirteen year old county runner-up to a fifteen year old national competitor. With him, I have traveled twice to the USA National Championships, placing in the top eight in at least one event both years. Needless to say, he has helped me along greatly, and has helped me understand the true meaning of competition and sportsmanship. 

"Character building begins in our infancy and continues until death." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt, wife to Franklin D. Roosevelt, revolutionized the position of first lady.

Born in 1884, Eleanor Roosevelt later became one of the most influential women of her time. She was married to Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1905, who went on to become President of the United States. Rather than to remain in the background and regulate domestic matters, Eleanor Roosevelt revolutionized the position of First Lady. She often gave press conferences and spoke out for human rights, and worked on behalf of the League of Women Voters. She emphasized aid for America’s poor and fought against racism and prejudice.

I sympathize with this quote because it reinforces the idea of continuous development. No matter how old or experienced you are, you would be able to grow and learn from everything that happens. It allows us to realize that one is never finished in the quest for knowledge and for betterment, and that even on our deathbed, one may still learn and grow. It provides a purpose for the later years in life, and gives hope to those that have failed to develop emotionally and spiritually, by telling them that it is never too late to continue to improve and build upon your character.

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin.

Ben Franklin was one of the most influential figures in early U.S. history.

Benjamin Franklin is a unmistakable figure of American History. An inventer of many things, ranging from the lightning rod to bi-focal glasses, Franklin also served as America’s first ambasador to French and was vital in convincing the French to aid against the British in the Revolutionary War. Benjamin Franklin was then elected as the first American Postmaster General, and served several terms on continental congress. Franklin played a vital war both in the winning of the revolutionary war, and the establishment of a centralized governnment afterwards.

I believe this quote to be great because of the truth that it carries. Applying not only to entire nations but individuals as well, Benjamin Franklin’s words resonate with meaning. It holds true in any society that one who is vicious and corrupt must be watched carefully, often even calling for imprisonment or other rehabilitaion measures, to keep the innocent safe. The unjust must be contained; the just can be given the freedom to live and do as they please, as they can be trusted to follow both moral and lawful regulations. It is on a similar principle on which the structure of our country is based.

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what." - Atticus Finch

Spoken by the admirable Atticus to his young son Jem, Atticus goes on to clarify Mrs. Dubose's situation and inform Jem that rather than being just a racist, mean old woman, Mrs. Dubose was actually very courageous. Because of a terminal disease, Mrs. Dubose had become addicted to painkilling drugs. Rather that to die a easy and painless death, however, she chose to rid herself of her dependence on said drugs, even though it made no difference to her health.

A lone man stands strong to stop the advance of Chinese controlled tanks, just moments after a group of protesters was forcibly removed.

This quote is especially relevant to the young men and women roaming the halls of high school. It attempts to portray the lesson that courage is not being violent, that it's not being a bully. True courage is to fight for a cause that you know is doomed, simply because you know that it's the right thing to do. It is to battle against all odds and great opposition to provoke change where change is needed, and courage like that is increasingly hard to come by. 

“The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box." - Atticus Finch

The Courthouse has been a symbol for justice used throughout the world.

During the trial of Tom Robinson, Atticus using obvious physical evidence  to make it apparent to the jury that it was probably Bob Ewell himself who beat Mayella brutally, not Tom. Despite the contradicting evidence, the jury brings out a unanimous decision after deliberation: guilty. Tom Robinson is sentenced to death for the rape of Mayella Ewell .

There is obvious wisdom in this quote by Atticus Finch, stating that if there was any place that a man were to be treated fairly, it should have been the courthouse. This should be held true in any and all societies, including the town of Maycomb. However, racist and prejudice opinions continued to penetrate and pervert the courthouse. Luckily, over the many years since this book was written, opinions have gradually changed and equality has become evident not only in the courthouse, but also in many and most aspects of life. 

"They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.  The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." - Atticus Finch

During Atticus's conversation with Scout, They begin to talk about how everyone in the entire town resents Atticus for his actions in regards to the Tom Robinson case. Their disapproval was obvious through their shrewd comments, and Scout couldn't understand why Atticus thought that he was right and everyone else was wrong. It was then that he said to her what is written above. 

A man's conscience is the one thing that he can always count on to guide him.

This quote goes beyond the common lesson of "everyone is entitled to their opinion" and expands into another lesson entirely. This quote encompasses a rare but valuable message: never conform just for the sake of conformity. No matter how many people are doing it, if something is wrong, it's wrong. And if you know it is wrong, then you must resist it, no matter who is doing it or who tries to convince you to do it. The one thing that you can always count on to guide you to the right path is your conscience, because it is "the one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule".   

“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” - Miss Maudie

The mockingbird is used as a symbol of innocent benevolence throughout the novel.

When Scout asks Miss Maudie about mockingbirds, her response reveals on of the underlying themes of the novel. She explains carefully that Mockingbirds never do anything that causes any harm, so it is immoral, even a sin, to kill one. Scout understands the basic concept, but fails to make the connection between the lesson and the people around her.  

The wisdom behind this quote is best modeled by Arthur "Boo" Radley and his horrific situation. Throughout the entire novel, Boo does not do a single malicious, harmful, or remotely dangerous act. He does quite the opposite, in fact, helping Jem and Scout whenever he can; he took the time to sew Jem's pants together, to place a blanket around Scout's shoulders on a cold night, and save two children from being murdered by a drunken lunatic. Arthur Radley becomes a symbolic mockingbird through his helpful and benevolent acts. The lesson to never kill a mockingbird is again shown when Sheriff Heck Tate goes out of his way to ensure that Arthur Radley would not be pursued for his defensive killing, and is allowed to go on living in the shadows, helping people in whatever way he can. 

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” - Atticus Finch

Such a simple statement carries such weight, especially in the situation in which it is said. Spoken by Atticus Finch near the beginning of the novel, this quote summarizes the theme of the entire book of To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus is attempting to instill a lesson in his daughter, Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, but the full meaning does not become apparent to her until the end of the novel, until after she has seen the persecution of Tom Robinson and the blind hate that drove it. 

One of the main themes throughout To Kill a Mockingbird is to seek unity between all peoples.

 If one were to consider any quote from To Kill a Mockingbird to be wise, this would have be the one. The lesson portrayed applies in any and all situations; consider others' situation before you make judgments about them. Throughout the world, if we just considered others' views, there would be no more discrimination by race, class, lifestyle, or any other factor. There would be no more mindless murders of innocent people, or acts of terrorism by crazed religious fanatics. The day we look through each others' eyes is the day the world truly lives as one. 

Introduction

Over the next ten blog entries, I, Dane Stolsig, a 15 year-old high school student, will be listing and analyzing significant and meaningful quotes from the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, from great Americans throughout history, and from personal mentors of mine in order to meet the requirements of an English assignment. In order to fill said requirements, I must also offer you advice derived from the little I have experience in my youth.

To Kill a Mockingbird has become a literary classic, and many life lessons are hidden between its pages.

If you leave here with nothing else, please leave with this: never be afraid in life. Never let fear hold you back from anything. Yes, sometimes you will fail, but worse than failing is never knowing what could have been.