From my father, I learned a long time ago how to gain wisdom from others' mistakes, as well as my own. More importantly, I learned to live up to every mistake, no matter how difficult the consequences.
From my mother, I learned diligence and hard work.
From my grandfather, I learned the dangers of self-righteousness and over-confidence in oneself, and the discord it brings about in one's social relations.
From my grandmother, I learned caring and compassion.
From my childhood, I learned to develop my own interests and cultivate my own learning, for those are more important than any talent or natural ability.
From my education, I learned to think for myself, to always question the source and reasoning behind every fact and opinion, and to distrust catchy-sounding arguments and sensationalist news media.
From my superiors in the military, I learned what qualities make a leader, and what qualities make a petty tyrant.
From General Patton, I learned a certain necessity for show and style in following one's destiny.
From Theodore Roosevelt, I learned the necessity of dedication to one's physical and mental growth, for both go hand in hand.
From Benjamin Franklin, I learned what it means to live wisely and frugally.
From George Washington, I learned the importance of restraint and self-discipline when given power.
From Marcus Aurelius, I learned what it meant to be a statesman, as well as a righteous man. I learned not to follow after fame or petty desires, but to always do what is right and good, as all we really own is the present moment and the choices we make in it.
And from my own experiences, I've learned to reflect and recognize my own weaknesses and mistakes, and to try and fix them, so that they aren't repeated needlessly.
However, my world view is still incomplete, and I have a lot to learn and do before running for president of the United States. More than that, however, I still have a lot of growing to do as an individual and a person, so don't expect a lot of details or answers on what policies or solutions I'll have prepared for all of the world's problems, but do present as many concerns and issues as you all feel are important.
