He has achieved success who has worked well, laughed often, and loved much.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
The victory of success is half won when one gains the habit of setting goals and achieving them. Even the most tedious chore will become endurable as you parade through each day convinced that every task, no matter how menial or boring, brings you closer to fulfilling your dreams.
—Og Mandino (1923–96) American Self-Help Author
The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.
—Arnold J. Toynbee (1889–1975) British Historian
I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you. Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
—William Jennings Bryan (1860–1925) American Political leader, Diplomat, Politician
Success has always been easy to measure. It is the distance between one’s origins and one’s final achievement.
—Michael Korda (b.1933) English-born Writer, Novelist
Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
As long as we separate this ‘oneness’ into two, we won’t achieve realization.
—Bruce Lee (1940–73) American Martial Artist, Actor, Philosopher
Nothing great in this world has been accomplished without passion.
—Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) German Philosopher
If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.
—John Stuart Mill (1806–73) English Philosopher, Economist
Having once decided to achieve a certain task, achieve it at all costs of tedium and distaste. The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labor is immense.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist, Playwright, Critic
If you’ll not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives.
—Vince Lombardi, Jr. (1913–70) American Football Player, Coach
Ideas are the beginning of all achievement.
—Bruce Lee (1940–73) American Martial Artist, Actor, Philosopher
Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate,
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
The height of your accomplishments will equal the depth of your convictions.
—William F. Scolavino
Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing.
—Thomas Edison (1847–1931) American Inventor, Scientist, Entrepreneur
The prospect of success in achieving our most cherished dream is not without its terrors. Who is more deprived and alone than the man who has achieved his dream?
—Brendan Behan (1923–64) Irish Poet, Novelist, Playwright
The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
One of the marks of excellent people is that they never compare themselves with others. They only compare themselves with themselves and with their past accomplishments and future potential
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
There is great power in focusing on what you want….. The person who tries to do everything accomplishes nothing. Most people try to be all things to everyone. And so they end up being nothing to anyone. Confucius nailed the point: “Person who chases two rabbits catches neither.”
—Robin Sharma (b.1964) Canadian Writer, Motivational Speaker
A person should set his goals as early as he can and devote all his energy and talent to getting there. With enough effort, he may achieve it. Or he may find something that is even more rewarding. But in the end, no matter what the outcome, he will know he has been alive.
—Walt Disney (1901–66) American Entrepreneur
Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible.
—Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936) Spanish Educator, Philosopher, Author
Desire is the presentiment of our inner abilities, and the forerunner of our ultimate accomplishments.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
You cannot believe in honor until you have achieved it. Better keep yourself clean and bright: you are the window through which you must see the world.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
The object of living is work, experience, and happiness. There is joy in work. All that money can do is buy us someone else’s work in exchange for our own. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
Of all the inventions that have helped to unify China perhaps the airplane is the most outstanding. Its ability to annihilate distance has been in direct proportion to its achievements in assisting to annihilate suspicion and misunderstanding among provincial officials far removed from one another or from the officials at the seat of government.
—Soong Mei-ling (1898–2003) First Lady of the Republic of China
The great accomplishments of man have resulted from the transmission of ideas and enthusiasm.
—Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (1874–1956) American Business Executive
If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.
—Maya Angelou (1928–2014) American Poet
One must marry one’s feelings to one’s beliefs and ideas. That is probably the only way to achieve a measure of harmony in one’s life.
—Etty Hillesum (1914–43) Dutch Diarist, Holocaust Victim
Pride attaches undue importance to the superiority of one’s status in the eyes of others; And shame is fear of humiliation at one’s inferior status in the estimation of others. When one sets his heart on being highly esteemed, and achieves such rating, then he is automatically involved in fear of losing his status
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
We tend to view confidence as a product of accomplishment rather than part of the process that leads there. But supremely confident people were confident long before they achieved anything.
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
He who possesses the source of Enthusiasm
Will achieve great things.
Doubt not. You will gather friends around you
As a hair clasp gathers the hair.
—I Ching Ancient Chinese Divination Text
In the practical as in the theoretic life, the man whose acquisitions stick is the man who is always achieving and advancing, whilst his neighbors, spending most of their time in relearning what they once knew but have forgotten, simply hold their own.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
I report to you that our country is challenged at home and abroad: that it is our will that is being tried and not our strength; our sense of purpose and not our ability to achieve a better America
—Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–73) American Head of State, Political leader
One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: “To rise above the little things.”
—John Burroughs (1837–1921) American Naturalist, Writer
The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
Without going out-of-doors, one can know all he needs to know. Without even looking out of his window, one can grasp the nature of everything. Without going beyond his own nature, one can achieve ultimate wisdom. Therefore, the intelligent man knows all he needs to know without going away, And sees all he needs to see without looking elsewhere, And does all he needs to do wihout undue exertion
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
No one ever gets far unless he accomplishes the impossible at least once a day
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
The covetous man never has money; the prodigal will have none shortly.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.
—Robert F. Kennedy (1925–68) American Politician, Civil Rights Activist
No matter what you’ve done for yourself or for humanity, if you can’t look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?
—Lee Iacocca (1924–2019) American Businessperson
My mother drew a distinction between achievement and success. She said that achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best that is in you. Success is being praised by others, and that’s nice, too, but not as important or satisfying. Always aim for achievement and forget about success.
—Helen Hayes (1900–93) American Actor, Philanthropist
The Way of Heaven does not compete, and yet it skillfully achieves victory. It does not speak, and yet it skillfully responds to things. It comes to you without your invitation.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Age is only a number, a cipher for the records. A man can’t retire his experience. He must use it. Experience achieves more with less energy and time.
—Bernard M. Baruch (1870–1965) American Financier, Economic Consultant
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 (1881–1931) Russian Dancer