Your enthusiasm will be infectious, stimulating and attractive to others. They will love you for it. They will go for you and with you.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
We can accomplish almost anything within our ability if we but think that we can! Every great achievement in this world was first carefully thought out… Think-but to a purpose. Think constructively. Think as you read. Think as you listen. Think as you travel and your eyes reveal new situations. Think as you work daily at your desk, or in the field, or while strolling. Think to rise and improve your place in life. There can be no advancement or success without serious thought.
—George Matthew Adams (1878–1962) American Columnist, Journalist
Nothing great in this world has been accomplished without passion.
—Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) German Philosopher
In things pertaining to enthusiasm, no man is sane who does not know how to be insane on proper occasions.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
What hunger is in relation to food, zest is in relation to life.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Energy will do anything that can be done in the world; and no talents, no circumstances, no opportunities will make a two-legged animal a man without it.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
If you’re not happy every morning when you get up, leave for work, or start to work at home—if you’re not enthusiastic about doing that, you’re not going to be successful.
—Donald M. Kendall (1921–2020) American Businessman
Zeal without humanity is like a ship without a rudder, liable to be stranded at any moment.
—Owen Feltham (1602–1668) English Essayist
You see me in my most virile moment when you see me doing what I do. When I am directing, a special energy comes upon me … It is only when I am doing my work that I feel truly alive. It is like having sex.
—Federico Fellini (1920–93) Italian Filmmaker
Vigor is contagious, and whatever makes us either think or feel strongly adds to our power and enlarges our field of action.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Morale is the greatest single factor in successful wars.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
What a man knows only through feeling can be explained only through enthusiasm.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
Many of the most successful men I have known have never grown up. They have retained bubbling-over boyishness. They have relished wit, they have indulged in humor. They have not allowed “dignity” to depress them into moroseness. Youthfulness of spirit is twin brother of optimism, and optimism is the stuff of which American business success is fashioned. Resist growing up.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement.
—Charles M. Schwab (1862–1939) American Businessperson
Opposition inflames the enthusiast, never converts him.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
What one has, one ought to use; and whatever he does, he should do with all his might.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
The difference between one man and another is not mere ability … it is energy.
—Thomas Arnold (1795–1842) English Educationalist
Enthusiasm will be as contagious as ever.
—Unknown
Life is enthusiasm, zest.
—Laurence Olivier (1907–89) English Actor, Producer, Director
Zeal will do more than knowledge.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
All noble enthusiasms pass through a feverish stage, and grow wiser and more serene.
—William Ellery Channing (1780–1842) American Unitarian Theologian, Poet
The mathematics of high achievement—
Begin with a dream.
DIVIDE the problems and conquer them one by one.
MULTIPLY the exciting possibilities in your mind.
SUBTRACT all the negative thoughts to get started.
ADD enthusiasm and determination.
And the RESULT will be the attainment of your goal.
—Anonymous
Let a man in a garret but bum with enough intensity and he will set fire to the world.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900–44) French Novelist, Aviator
The great accomplishments of man have resulted from the transmission of ideas and enthusiasm.
—Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (1874–1956) American Business Executive
Exuberance is beauty.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
The ambitious will always be first in the crowd; he presseth forward, he looketh not behind him. More anguish is it to his mind to see one before him, than joy to leave thousands at a distance.
—Akhenaten (1378BCE–1348BCE) Egyptian Monarch, Religious Leader
Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal. The winner is he who gives himself to his work, body and soul.
—Sir Thomas Buxton, 1st Baronet (1786–1845) English Politician, Social Reformer
He is a letter to everyone. You open it. It says, Live!
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–73) Persian Muslim Mystic
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Cash can buy, but it takes enthusiasm to sell.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
If you have zest and enthusiasm you attract zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
Never let your zeal outrun your charity. The former is but human, the latter is divine.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
What is man but his passion?
—Robert Penn Warren (1905–89) American Poet, Novelist, Literary Critic
I do not love a man who is zealous for nothing.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Whatever course you have chosen for yourself, it will not be a chore but an adventure if you bring to it a sense of the glory of striving, if your sights are set far above the merely secure and mediocre.
—David Sarnoff (1891–1972) American Broadcaster, Businessman
The method of the enterprising is to plan with audacity and execute with vigor.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
I don’t know about having too much zeal; but I think it is better the pot should boil over than not boil at all.
—Anonymous
Zeal is like fire: it needs both feeding and watching.
—Common Proverb
Let your enthusiasm radiate in your voice, your actions, your facial expressions, your personality, the words you use, and the thoughts you think! Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Men are nothing until they are excited.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
I am burning. If anyone lacks tinder, let him set his rubbish ablaze with my fire.
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–73) Persian Muslim Mystic
Get excited and enthusiastic about you own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire—you can smell it, taste it, and see it from a mile away.
—Denis Waitley (b.1933) American Motivational Speaker, Author
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
Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is the triumph of enthusiasm.—Nothing great was ever achieved without it.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Reason alone is insufficient to make us enthusiastic in any matter.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Charisma is the transference of enthusiasm.
—Ralph Archbold (1942–2017) American Actor, Impersonator
Be ENTHUSIASTIC as a leader. You can’t light a fire with a wet match!
—Unknown
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