Inspirational Quotations

To follow without halt, one aim; there is the secret of success. And success? What is it? I do not find it in the applause of the theatre. It lies rather in the satisfaction of accomplishment.
—Anna Pavlova (Russian Dancer)

What the world wants is character. The world is in need of those whose life is one burning love, selfless. That love will make every word tell like a thunderbolt.
—Swami Vivekananda (Indian Hindu Mystic)

They always say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.
—Andy Warhol (American Painter)

In no direction that we turn do we find ease or comfort. If we are honest and if we have the will to win we find only danger, hard work and iron resolution.
—Wendell Willkie (American Politician)

In the final analysis there is no other solution to man’s progress but the day’s honest work, the day’s honest decisions, the day’s generous utterances and the day’s good deed.
—Clare Boothe Luce (American Playwright)

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here we should dance.
—Unknown

The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
—Alan Kay

If you first fortify yourself with the true knowledge of the Universal Self, and then live in the midst of wealth and worldliness, surely they will in no way affect you.
—Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (Indian Hindu Philosopher)

Fortunate is the person who has developed the self-control to steer a straight course toward his objective in life, without being swayed from his purpose by either commendation or condemnation.
—Napoleon Hill (American Author)

He who loves the world as his body may be entrusted with the empire.
—Laozi (Chinese Philosopher)

If I were to begin life again,|I should want it as it was.|I would only open my eyes a little more.
—Jules Renard (French Novelist)

God will hold us responsible for all the wonderful things that we have refused to enjoy.
—Anonymous

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (American First Lady)

Undertake something that is difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.
—Ronald E. Osborn

Man, know thyself.
—Socrates (Anceient Greek Philosopher)

We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (American Head of State)

We greatly overestimate what we can accomplish in one year. But we greatly underestimate what we can accomplish in five years.
—Peter Drucker (Austrian-born Management Consultant)

Nothing is more endangered in the modern world than the powerful combination of hard work toward meaningful goals joined with an exuberant embrace of the present moment.
—Tom Morris

The reason why all men honor love is because it looks up, and not down; aspires and not despairs.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Philosopher)

Don’t be a cynic and disconsolate preacher. Don’t bewail and moan. Omit the negative propositions. Challenge us with incessant affirmatives. Don’t waste yourself in rejection, or bark against the bad, but chant the beauty of the good.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Philosopher)

When ideas fail, words come in very handy.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German Poet)

Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm.—It is the real allegory of the tale of Orpheus; it moves stones, and charms brutes.—It is the genius of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no victories without it.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (English Poet)

Perfection does not come from belief or faith. Talk does not count for anything. Parrots can do that. Perfection comes through selfless work.
—Swami Vivekananda (Indian Hindu Mystic)

Ah, good taste! What a dreadful thing! Taste is the enemy of creativeness.
—Pablo Picasso (Spanish Painter)

Don’t be a cynic and disconsolate preacher. Don’t bewail and bemoan. Omit the negative propositions. Nerve us with incessant affirmatives. Don’t waste yourself in rejection, nor bark against the bad, but chant the beauty of the good. When that is spoken which has a right to be spoken, the chatter and the criticism will stop. Set down nothing that will help somebody.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Philosopher)

I had no vision of the scope of what I would start. But I had confidence that as long as we did our work well and were good to our customers, there would be no limit to us.
—Sam Walton (American Entrepreneur)

I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.
—Unknown

For SUCCESS, like HAPPINESS, cannot be pursued,
it is the unintended side effect of one’s personal
dedication to a course greater than oneself.
—Viktor Frankl (Austrian Physician)

Seek self-discipline with all your soul. Devote yourself to worship and save your soul. Be grateful that God gave you the gift of self-discipline, for you had no power over it. He inspired it within you with the command, “Be!”
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (Persian Muslim Mystic)

Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm.—It is the real allegory of the tale of Orpheus; it moves stones, and charms brutes.—It is the genius of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no victories without it.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (English Poet)

Again and again I therefore admonish my students in Europe and America: Don’t aim at success—the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it. I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge. Then you will live to see that in the long-run—in the long-run, I say!—success will follow you precisely because you had forgotten to think about it.
—Viktor Frankl (Austrian Physician)

Are you excited because things are going well, or are things going well because you’re excited?
—Anonymous

Meditation has been defined as the cessation of active eternal thought.
—Helena Blavatsky (Ukrainian-born American Theosophist)

Even fate cannot touch him whose heart is filled with compassion, whose words always reflect the truth and whose body is always meant to help others.
—Subhashita Manjari

When you become detached mentally from yourself and concentrate on helping other people with their difficulties, you will be able to cope with your own more effectively. Somehow, the act of self-giving is a personal power-releasing factor.
—Norman Vincent Peale (American Clergyman, Self-Help Author)

A little inaccuracy sometimes saves tons of explanation.
—Saki (Hector Hugh Munro) (British Short Story Writer)

A particular breed of dog may cost a lot of money, but only love will make its tail wag.
—Unknown

He has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is inconceivable, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so.
—Walter Lippmann (American Journalist)

It’s not a question of who’s going to throw the first stone; it’s a question of who’s going to start building with it.
—Sloan Wilson (American Novelist)

What we leave behind is not engraved in stone monuments but woven into the lives of others.
—Pericles

The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.
—Linus Pauling (American Chemist)

Enthusiasm is: A quiet spiritual strength: An inner glow: Faith in action: Greatest asset in the world: Beats money power influence: Tramples over prejudice.
—Henry Chester

Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight… When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.
—Helen Keller (American Author)

The creative knows the great beginnings. The Receptive completes the finished things.
—I. Ching

If you absolutely can’t tolerate critics, then don’t do anything new or interesting.
—Jeff Bezos (American Businessman)

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
—John F. Kennedy (American Head of State)

God is merciful to those whom He sees struggling heart and soul for realization. But remain idle, without any struggle, and you will see that His grace will never come.
—Swami Vivekananda (Indian Hindu Mystic)

Some things cannot be spoken or discovered until we have been stuck, incapacitated, or blown off course for awhile. Plain sailing is pleasant, but you are not going to explore many unknown realms that way.
—David Whyte

Let not the fierce sun dry one tear of pain before thyself hast wiped it from the sufferer’s eye.
—Helena Blavatsky (Ukrainian-born American Theosophist)

If you think twice before you speak once, you will speak better for it.
—Anonymous

Let us carefully observe those good qualities wherein our enemies excel us; and endeavor to excel them, by avoiding what is faulty, and imitating what is excellent in them.
—Plutarch (Ancient Greek Historian)

Yesterday is a cancelled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have—so spend it wisely.
—Unknown

Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world.
It beats money, power and influence.
—Henry Chester

There is no more noble occupation in the world than to assist another human being – to help someone succeed.
—Alan Loy McGinnis (American Christian Psychotherapist)

Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Philosopher)

I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse.
—Walt Disney (American Entrepreneur)

Remember, always give your best. Never get discouraged. Never be petty. Always remember, others may hate you. But those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself.
—Richard Nixon (American Head of State)

Experience is what we call the accumulation of our mistakes.
—Yiddish Proverb

The real man smiles in trouble,
gathers strength from distress,
and grows brave by reflection.
—Thomas Paine (American Nationalist)

Sever the ignorant doubt in your heart with the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline, arise.
—The Bhagavad Gita (Hindu Scripture)

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
—Thomas Paine (American Nationalist)

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.
—John Quincy Adams (American Head of State)

A man without self-restraint is like a barrel without hoops, and tumbles to pieces.
—Henry Ward Beecher (American Protestant Clergyman)

Forgetting your mistakes is a terrible error if you’re trying to improve your cognition. Reality doesn’t remind you. Why not celebrate stupidities in both categories?
—Charlie Munger

People want to be part of something larger than themselves. They want to be part of something they’re really proud of, that they’ll fight for, sacrifice for, that they trust.
—Howard Schultz (American Businessman)

When I hear somebody sigh that “Life is hard,” I am always tempted to ask, “Compared to what?”
—Sydney J. Harris (American Journalist)

He who is dying of hunger must be fed rather than taught.
—Thomas Aquinas (Italian Catholic Priest)

When I hear somebody sigh, “Life is hard,” I am always tempted to ask, “Compared to what?”
—Sydney J. Harris (American Journalist)

Because of indifference, one dies before one actually dies.
—Elie Wiesel (Romanian-born American Writer)

The greatest derangement of the mind is to believe in something because one wishes it to be so.
—Rene Dubos

Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.
—Ralph Marston

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.
—Confucius (Chinese Philosopher)

A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (French Novelist, Aviator)

Our dignity is not in what we do but what we understand. The whole world is doing things.
—George Santayana (Spanish Philosopher)

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
—John F. Kennedy (American Head of State)

Stop looking at yourself through your own eyes, and see yourself through God’s eyes.
—Unknown

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.
—Albert Einstein (German-born Theoretical Physicist)

The nice thing about being a celebrity is that, if you bore people, they think it’s their fault.
—Henry Kissinger (American Diplomat)

When you ceased to make a contribution you begin to die.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (American First Lady)

All meaningful and lasting change starts first in your imagination and then works its way out. Imagination is more important than knowledge. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.
—Albert Einstein (German-born Theoretical Physicist)

When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (American First Lady)

A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go farther than a great idea that inspires no one.
—Mary Kay Ash (American Entrepreneur)

A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery.
—James Joyce (Irish Novelist)

The fruits of all our labors have left us as we started. To grow without is not to grow within.
—Dave Winer

Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive—the risk to be alive and express what we really are.
—Miguel Angel Ruiz

How you use today will determine how tomorrow uses you.
—Earl Wilson

Advice is judged by results, not by intention.
—Cicero (Roman Philosopher)

Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (Swiss Philosopher)

It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another, without helping himself.
—Gamaliel Bailey

The moment of victory is much too short to live for that and nothing else.
—Martina Navratilova (Czech-born American Sportsperson)

Love means the unconditional desire for the eternal well-being of a soul.
—Unknown

Before you talk about what you want, really appreciate what you have before it’s gone.
—Unknown

The satisfied, the happy, do not live; they fall asleep in habit, near neighbor to annihilation.
—Miguel de Unamuno (Spanish Essayist)

It’s not as hard to die for a friend as it is to find a friend to die for.
—Unknown

Only the weak are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong.
—Leo Buscaglia (American Motivational Speaker)

You have a choice. It may not be a choice you like, but it is still a choice.
—Michelle Pfeiffer (American Actor)

I was taught that the way of progress is neither swift nor easy.
—Marie Curie (Polish-born French Physicist)

He who makes room in his heart for others, will himself find accommodation everywhere.
—Unknown

Heroes don’t ask us to believe in them, they teach us to believe in ourselves.
—Unknown

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to no one.
—William Shakespeare (British Playwright)

There is no blade that can cut as deep as the words from one’s mouth.
—Randy Gray

That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong.
—William J. H. Boetcker (American Presbyterian Religious Leader)

Your work is to discover your work, and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.
—Buddhist Teaching

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen events, meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!”
—William Hutchinson Murray

O hidden life, vibrant in every atom;|O hidden light, shining in every creature;|O hidden love, embracing all in Oneness;|May each, who feels himself as one with Thee,|Know he is also one with every other.
—Annie Besant (British-born Indian Theosophist)

If your life is free of failures, you’re not taking enough risks.
—H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (American Author)

Treat people as they are and they will remain as they are. Treat people as they could be and they will become as they could be.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German Poet)