Human societies train people to keep a stiff upper lip and to be strong by which they mean the person should endure negative emotions. This is bad advice. Several branches of science have been studying human thriving. The results, when compiled, point to the fact that people thrive when they feel emotionally good and suffer when they do not.

~ Jeanine Joy

Jeanine Joy Be Strong Grit Hardiness Negative Emotion Resilience Stiff Upper Lip Suffering Thriving

You know the only rule you need to know to get on in this country? ‘Never complain, never explain.

~ Amanda Craig

Amanda Craig British Complain Culture English Explain Reticent Stiff Upper Lip

dear little baby of the folks I work for, I got a present for you .. my whole damn life! I'm handin' it over to you & your ma & pa. if you got no money to pay, I wanna stay anyhow, my pleasure is to wait on you forever. to hell with my children & hooray for you!.. you stayin' up all night fixin' up Character Parts for me! givin' 'em what you call dignity! dignity! you know what your dignity is? a black straw hat with a flower stickin' up in front, hands folded cross my stomach, sayin' the same damn fool things .. only nice & easy & proper! --trouble in mind (1955)

~ Alice Childress

Alice Childress Double Standard Humility Racism Stiff Upper Lip

Now, clear your minds. It knows what scares you. It has from the very beginning. Don't give it any help, it knows too much already.

~ Poltergeist The Movie

Poltergeist The Movie Inspirational Movies Stiff Upper Lip