Master of my Fate; Captain of my Soul

"Everything I know about Epictetus I've developed myself over the years. It's been a one-on-one relationship. He's been in combat with me, leg irons with me, spent month-long stretches in blindfolds with me, has been in the ropes with me, has taught me that my true business is maintaining control over my moral purpose, in fact that my moral purpose is who I am. He taught me that I am totally responsible for everything I do and say; and that it is I who decides on and controls my own destruction and own deliverance. Not even God will intercede if He sees me throwing my life away. He wants me to be autonomous. He put me in charge of me. "It matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll. "

"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."

Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale

Story about the VADM J.B. Stockdale Award winners here.

Navy Leaders

- If the Navy is to regain its soul and its respect,

the answer lies in the right kind of leaders.
- Leaders who understand that the seemingly
arcane concepts of tradition, loyalty, discipline
and moral courage have carried the Navy through
cyclical turbulence in peace and war.
- Leaders who are imbued with a solemn duty to
preserve sacrosanct ideals and pass them on to
succeeding generations ...
- It is time to give the Navy back to such leaders.

Senator James Webb