Please limited the answers to non religious figures. I know that Jesus and Mohamed will take up loads of answers, but that doesn;'t tell me anything.
I'm look for responses of people, alive or dead in the public eye, whose actions, or words have had a profound effect on you in your life.
A list of inspiring people is a good list to have I'd say, I look forward to your answers!
2006-06-15 22:27:58 · 22 answers · asked by HarryBore 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Nelson Mandela it takes alot to fight for human rights sit in a cell for 20+ years and managed to stop a civil war and unite a nation
there is no other greater figure for humanity
2006-06-15 23:37:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Mohammed Ali. I'm not a boxing fan or even a sports fan but under all that bravado was a man with unwavering principles. I dont know of anyone else who stood by his beliefs with so much conviction. If you haven't seen the documentary "When We Were Kings", you should. He refused to go to vietnam. He dumped boxing medals that he won into a river in disgust, and for a man who was a self proclaimed non literate he could spin the sharpest turn of phrase. Addressing a college class one day he was asked by a member of the audience to recite a poem. At the time the shortest poem in print was about genes and genetics. "Adam had 'em". Without missing a beat he turned to the microphone and pointing to both himself and the audience replied "Me. We". Respect. And the man's looks haven't changed at all!
2006-06-16 09:25:55 · answer #2 · answered by Melok 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. My granny who had 7 kids!
2. Helen Fielding
3. Bill Bryson
4. Bill Gates
5. Laura Bush, for putting up with HIM!
6. Golda Meier
7. Anne Frank
8. Benazir Bhutto
9. Anita Hill
10. Martin Luther-King
oooops, and HarryBore!
2006-06-15 23:19:27 · answer #3 · answered by expat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mum. She's just wise and even though I'm a grandmother myself I still go to her if I'm troubled about something. I don't think inspiration can come from a person in the public eye as you don't know them like you do a close relative or friend, you can only judge by what little the media chooses to say about them.
2006-06-15 22:39:04 · answer #4 · answered by cymbalita 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought at first this was going to be a piece of cake to answer, just pluck a name out of the air!
But whatever field I think of and whatever name I come up with I seem to recall stories about certain aspects of their lives that are certainly not inspirational!
(or maybe you don't consider that to be relative to your question)??
For example if a great musician was also a child molester would you still call him 'inspirational'??
I know this is not an answer to your question but it gave me something to think about, and generous as I am I felt the need to share the thought with you!!
2006-06-16 18:40:06 · answer #5 · answered by budding author 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi - because both had a vision they wanted to fulfill and went towards their goal following a non-violent path... something people around the world could learn from, especially in these days of violence.
2006-06-15 23:05:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leonard Cohen
2006-06-15 22:41:56 · answer #7 · answered by franticsearch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its got to be Richard Branson ... for a guy that always smiles, never wears a tie, always looks comfortable but simply outshines other people, its got to be him. His impact on British life has been amazing ..... air travel, music, books, trains, mobile phones, finance ... the list goes on ... and all from selling vinyl from a small room!
2006-06-15 22:42:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Adam Smith, the Economist
2006-06-15 22:31:31 · answer #9 · answered by love 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Abraham Lincoln- Freed the Slaves, and gave African Americans RIGHTS.
Angelina Jolie- Succesful,pretty, and generous woman.
She's part of the UN, and she has apopted 2 children from Africa.
2006-06-15 22:29:54 · answer #10 · answered by Pistaccio 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋