Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition… I have no other so great as that of being truely esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
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 (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
Firmness of purpose is one of the most necessary sinews of character, and one of the best instruments of success. Without it genius wastes its efforts in a maze of inconsistencies.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
We should not let our fears hold us back from pursuing our hopes.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
Vision looks inward and becomes duty.
Vision looks outward and becomes aspiration.
Vision looks upward and becomes faith.
—Stephen Samuel Wise (1874–1949) American Jewish Rabbi
We can do whatever we wish to do provided our wish is strong enough. But the tremendous effort needed – one doesn’t always want to make it – does one? … But what else can be done? What’s the alternative? What do you want most to do? That’s what I have to keep asking myself, in the face of difficulties.
—Katherine Mansfield (1888–1923) New Zealand-born British Author
Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is unattainable; however, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it, than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
Since we must all die sooner or later, let us enjoy life while we can.
—Otomo no Tabito
Just as you have the instinctive natural desire to be happy and overcome suffering, so do all sentient beings; just as you have the right to fulfill this innate aspiration, so do all sentient beings. So on what exact grounds do you discriminate?
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
Life exists for the love of music or beautiful things.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Your aspirations are your possibilities.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
The greyhound that starts many hares kills none.
—Spanish Proverb
In this life we get only those things for which we hunt, for which we strive, and for which we are willing to sacrifice. It is better to aim for something that you want-even though you miss it-than to get something that you didn’t aim to get, and which you don’t want! If we look long enough for what we want in life we are almost sure to find it, no matter what that objective may be.
—George Matthew Adams (1878–1962) American Columnist, Journalist
Those indeed who attain any excellence commonly spend life in one pursuit, for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
He who wants to do everything will never do anything.
—Andre Maurois (1885–1967) French Novelist, Biographer
Aim at heaven, and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth, and you will get neither.
—C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish-born British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
The thing which sets off the American from all other men, and gives peculiar color not only to the pattern of his daily life but also adds to the play of his inner ideas, is what, for want of a more exact term, may be called social aspiration
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
Man tells his aspiration in his God; but in his demon he shows his depth of experience.
—Margaret Fuller (1810–50) American Feminist, Writer, Revolutionary
Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find his right road.
—Dag Hammarskjold (1905–61) Swedish Statesman, UN Diplomat
When delicate and feeling souls are separated, there is not a feature in the sky, not a movement of the elements, not an aspiration of the breeze, but hints some cause for a lover’s apprehension.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) Irish-born British Playwright, Poet, Elected Rep
Usually obstacles are the things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.
—Hannah More
People are more inclined to be drawn in if their leader has a compelling vision. Great leaders help people get in touch with their own aspirations and then will help them forge those aspirations into a personal vision.
—John Kotter (b.1947) American Management Consultant
The true worth of a man is to be measured by the objects he pursues.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
The one thing worth living for is to keep one’s soul pure.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Who begins too much accomplishes little.
—German Proverb
Repentance is another name for aspiration.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Freedom to many means immediate betterment, as if by magic. Unless I can meet at least some of these aspirations, my support will wane and my head will roll just as surely as the tickbird follows the rhino.
—Julius Nyerere (1922–99) Tanzanian Statesman
Aspiration sees only one side of every question; possession many
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
I seek the utmost pleasure and the least pain.
—Plautus (Titus Maccius Plautus) (c.250–184 BCE) Roman Comic Playwright
Life has a value only when it has something valuable as its object.
—Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) German Philosopher
Purpose is what gives life a meaning.
—Charles Henry Parkhurst (1842–1933) American Clergyman, Civic Reformer
As you emphasize your life, you must localize and define it … you cannot do everything.
—Phillips Brooks (1835–93) American Episcopal Clergyman, Author
Our firmest convictions are apt to be the most suspect, they mark our limitations and our bounds. Life is a petty thing unless it is moved by the indomitable urge to extend its boundaries.
—Jose Ortega y. Gasset (1883–1955) Spanish Critic, Journalist, Philosopher
The grand essentials of happiness in this life are: Something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
—George Washington Burnap (1802–59) American Unitarian Priest
There’s some end at last for the man who follows a path; mere rambling is interminable.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
—Jack London (1876–1916) American Novelist
The hallmark of our age is the tension between aspirations and sluggish institutions.
—John W. Gardner (1912–2002) American Activist
Use your health, even to the point of wearing it out. That is what it is for. Spend all you have before you die; do not outlive yourself.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Take hope from the heart of man and you make him a beast of prey.
—Ouida (Maria Louise Rame) (1839–1908) English Novelist
India is the meeting place of the religions and among these Hinduism alone is by itself a vast and complex thing, not so much a religion as a great diversified and yet subtly unified mass of spiritual thought, realization and aspiration.
—Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950) Indian Mystic, Philosopher, Poet
Vision looks outward and becomes aspiration.
—Stephen Samuel Wise (1874–1949) American Jewish Rabbi
Concentrate on finding your goal, then concentrate on reaching it.
—Michael Friedsam (1858–1931) American Philanthropist
The goal of all civilization, all religious thought, and all that sort of thing is simply to have a good time. But man gets so solemn over the process that he forgets the end.
—Don Marquis (1878–1937) American Humorist, Journalist, Author
Aim at the sun, and you may not reach it; but your arrow will fly far higher than if aimed at an object on a level with yourself.
—Joel Hawes
It takes a certain level of aspiration before one can take advantage of opportunities that are clearly offered.
—Michael Harrington (1928–89) American Socialist, Writer, Political Activist, Academic
One of the most important factors, not only in military matters but in life as a whole, is . . the ability to direct one’s whole energies towards the fulfillment of a particular task.
—Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) German Soldier
Men cannot for long live hopefully unless they are embarked upon some great unifying enterprise, one for which they may pledge their lives, their fortunes and their honor.
—C. A. Dykstra (1883–1950) American Government Administrator
Every true man, sir, who is a little above the level of the beasts and plants does not live for the sake of living, without knowing how to live; but he lives so as to give a meaning and a value of his own to life.
—Luigi Pirandello (1867–1936) Italian Dramatist, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Author
There are three ingredients in the good life: learning, earning, and yearning.
—Christopher Morley (1890–1957) American Novelist, Essayist
A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher