Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) was an American clergyman, author, and public speaker. He is considered the father of positive thinking and is one of the most read inspirational writers of all time. His best-known self-help book, The Power of Positive Thinking (1952,) contended that the only thing required for success is a positive attitude.
Born in central Ohio to a Methodist family, Peale received divinity training from Boston University and was ordained by the United Methodist Church in 1922. Starting in 1932, for over 50 years, Peale was the pastor of New York City’s Marble Collegiate Reformed Church, where he preached “applied Christianity” and the power of affirmative prayer. In his sermons, lectures, and published works, he persuaded church adherents to think positively. His other notable books include The Art of Living (1937) and The Art of Loving (1948.)
Peale remained popular throughout his life and reached millions of followers through his lectures and writings. He played a principal role in the American religious revival of the 1950s.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Norman Vincent Peale
Don’t take tomorrow to bed with you.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Worry
People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Self Confidence, Strength
The how” thinker gets problems solved effectively because he wastes no time with futile “ifs” but goes right to work on the creative “how”.”
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Thoughts, Problems, Attitude, Thinking, Thought
We tend to get what we expect.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Expectation, Expectations
Anybody can do just about anything with himself that he really wants to and makes up his mind to do. We are all capable of greater things than we realize.
—Norman Vincent Peale
When a problem comes along, study it until you are completely knowledgeable. Then find that weak spot, break the problem apart, and the rest will be easy.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Problems
If you paint in your mind a picture of bright & happy expectations, you put yourself into a condition conducive to your goal.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Expectation
What the mind can conceive and believe, and the heart desire, you can achieve.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Life is not all fun and easy going. Far from it; there are many rough times. But, sadly, we too often let the hard times dull our enthusiasm. And that is dangerous, if not fatal, to our lives.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Enthusiasm
The mind, properly controlled, can do just about everything. You can think your way through adversity, you can think your way through problems. It is a superpowerful instrument which so few use to maximum. And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Thinking
In every difficult situation is potential value. Believe this, then begin looking for it.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Difficulty, Difficulties, Challenges
Understanding can overcome any situation, however mysterious or insurmountable it may appear to be.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Understanding
You are not what you think you are, but what you think, you are.
—Norman Vincent Peale
No nation became great by becoming rich. Neither does a man find enduring satisfaction in life by owning something—only by becoming something.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Satisfaction
Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Action
The only way you can live a truly creative life or know the highest happiness is by developing your own unique potential.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Cushion the painful effects of hard blows by keeping the enthusiasm going strong, even if doing so requires struggle.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Adversity
Be interesting, be enthusiastic… and don’t talk to much.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Speaking, Speakers
Enthusiasm releases the drive to carry you over obstacles and adds significance to all you do.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Enthusiasm
Fear is never a reason for quitting; it is only an excuse.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Mind, Fear
I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Christmas
If you put off everything till you’re sure of it, you’ll never get anything done.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Procrastination
Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade—your mind will seek to develop the picture.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Vision, Success
Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Heart
Christmas is the season of joy, of holiday greetings exchanged, of gift-giving, and of families united.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Christmas
Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Poverty, Money, Achievement
Great issues develop from small beginnings.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: One Step at a Time
Believe it is possible to solve your problem. Tremendous things happen to the believer. So believe the answer will come. It will.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Problems
When you pray for anyone you tend to modify your personal attitude toward him.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Forgiveness, Prayer
Think positively about yourself…. ask God who made you to keep on remaking you.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Self-Discovery
The first step is to fill your life with a positive faith that will help you through anything. The second is to begin where you are.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Faith
A masterful retreat is itself a victory.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Victory
If you are not getting as much from life as you want to, then examine the state of your enthusiasm.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Enthusiasm
When you affirm big, believe big, and pray big, big things happen.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Beliefs
Never talk defeat. Use words like hope, belief, faith, victory.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Defeat, Hope
Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture…Do not build up obstacles in your imagination.
—Norman Vincent Peale
I sometimes think we ought to bring a bill before Congress changing our national symbol from the eagle to the buffalo, because we are more like the buffalo than the eagle. The eagle is a powerful bird. It flies alone. It rises up into the sky with authority. It is master of all it surveys. The eagle is an individualist and was selected from among the rest of the birds to be our symbol. But the buffalo was never alone. It always ran in a herd with other buffaloes. And, friends, I call your attention that the buffaloes are gone from the open range, but the eagles are still soaring.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: America
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Holidays, World, Christmas
Faith supplies staying power. … Anyone can keep going when the going is good, but some extra ingredient is needed to keep you fighting when it seems that everything is against you.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Topics: Faith
The really happy people are those who have broken the chains of procrastination, those who find satisfaction in doing the job at hand. They’re full of eagerness, zest, productivity. You can be, too.
—Norman Vincent Peale
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