Andrea Fleury

“I am fortitude,” said faith.
“I am contentment,” said peace.
“I am delight,” said joy.
“I am goodness,” said virtue.
“I am God,” said love.

“I am truth,” said knowledge.
“I am sight,” said understanding.
“I am perception,” said intelligence.
“I am prudence,” said wisdom.
“I am awareness,” said enlightenment.

“I am success,” said excellence.
“I am mastery,” said discipline.
“I am persistence,” said focus.
“I am influence,” said action.
“I am character,” said destiny.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Intelligence is a tenant in the house of wisdom.
Knowledge is a tenant in the house of nature.
Insight is a tenant in the house of understanding.
Wealth is a tenant in the house of risk.
Mastery is a tenant in the house of discipline.
Patience is a tenant in the house of virtue.
Tolerance is a tenant in the house of freedom.
Awareness is a tenant in the house of experience.
Rest is a tenant in the house of sleep.
Laughter is a tenant in the house of joy.
Hope is a tenant in the house of faith.
Contentment is a tenant in the house of peace.
Kindness is a tenant in the house of love.
Harmony is a tenant in the house of order.
Humility is a tenant in the house of honor.
Caution is a tenant in the house of prudence.
Speech is a tenant in the house of silence.
Certainty is a tenant in the house of conviction.
Expectation is a tenant in the house of desire.
Need is a tenant in the house of want.
Truth is a tenant in the house of reality.
Chance is a tenant in the house of fate.
Time is a tenant in the house of eternity.
Life is a tenant in the house of death.
Nature is a tenant in the house of God.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“Ignorance incarcerates you,
truth sets you free,
and knowledge lights your way around the universe.
Ego incarcerates you,
humility sets you free,
and gratitude lights your way around the universe.
Greed incarcerates you,
contentment sets you free,
and charity lights your way around the universe.
Fear incarcerates you,
hope sets you free,
and faith lights your way around the universe.
Guilt incarcerates you,
grace sets you free,
and faith lights your way around the universe.
Desire incarcerates you,
self-discipline sets you free,
and patience lights your way around the universe.
The heart incarcerates you,
the mind sets you free,
and the soul lights your way around the universe.
Death incarcerates you,
life sets you free,
and awareness lights your way around the universe.
The past incarcerates you,
the present sets you free,
and eternity lights your way around the universe.
Darkness incarcerates you,
light sets you free,
and God lights your way around the universe.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

“I was taught by family at ten.
I was taught by books at twenty.
I was taught by enemies at thirty.
I was taught by nature at forty.
I was taught by life at fifty.

At ten, I was foolish.
At twenty, I was naïve.
At thirty, I was alert.
At forty, I was experienced.
At fifty, I was wise.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo