Alexander P. de Seversky Professions : Aviator Born : June 7, 1894 Died : August 24, 1974 Browse All Authors Top 3 quotes by Alexander P. de Seversky I discovered early that the hardest thing to overcome is not a physical disability but the mental condition which it induces. The world, I found, has a way of taking a man pretty much at his own rating. If he permits his loss to make him embarrassed and apologetic, he will draw embarrassment from others. But if he gains his own respect, the respect of those around him comes easily. Alexander P. de Seversky respect inspiration loss Only air power can defeat air power. The actual elimination or even stalemating of an attacking air force can be achieved only by a superior air force. Alexander P. de Seversky aviation defeat air Air power speaks a strategic language so new that translation into the hackneyed idiom of the past is impossible. Alexander P. de Seversky air impossible past Similar Authors Amy Johnson aviator Amelia Earhart aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont aviator Bessie Coleman aviator Dieter F. Uchtdorf aviator Dick Rutan aviator All Authors