When the mind is not dissipated upon extraneous things, nor diffused over the world about us through the senses, it withdraws within itself, and of its own accord ascends to the contemplation of God. Basil of Caesarea
Man is made or unmade by himself. By the right choice he ascends. As a being of power, intelligence, and love, and the lord of his own thoughts, he holds the key to every situation... James Allen
The Superior Man has nothing to compete for. But if he must compete, he does it in an archery match, wherein he ascends to his position, bowing in deference. Descending, he drinks (or has [the winner] drink) the ritual cup. Confucius
Anyone who imagines they can work alone winds up surrounded by nothing but rivals, without companions. The fact is, no one ascends alone. Lance Armstrong
Prayer is the act by which man, detaching himself from the embarrassments of sense and nature, ascends to the true level of his destiny. Henry Liddon
Our prayer and God's mercy are like two buckets in a well; while the one ascends the other descends. Mark Hopkins