To make the world a friendly place, one must show it a friendly face.
—James Whitcomb Riley
Topics: Optimism, Positive Attitudes, Health
Why, rain’s my choice.
—James Whitcomb Riley
Topics: Acceptance
It doesn’t pay to say too much when you are mad enough to choke. For the word that stings the deepest is the word that is never spoke, Let the other fellow wrangle till the storm has blown away, then he’ll do a heap of thinking about the things you didn’t say.
—James Whitcomb Riley
Topics: Anger
O, it sets my heart a clickin’ like the tickin’ of a clock, when the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.
—James Whitcomb Riley
Topics: Autumn
And he shall reign a goodly king And sway his hand o’er every clime With peace writ on his signet ring, Who bides his time.
—James Whitcomb Riley
Topics: Resilience, Patience
The most essential factor is persistence—the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.
—James Whitcomb Riley
Topics: Perseverance, Persistence
Continuous, unflagging effort, persistence and determination will win. Let not the man be discouraged who has these.
—James Whitcomb Riley
Topics: Persistence, Perseverance
When you awaken some morning and hear that somebody or other has been discovered, you can put it down as a fact that he discovered himself years ago- since which time he has been working, toiling and striving to make himself worthy of general discovery.
—James Whitcomb Riley
Just a wee cot—the cricket’s chirr—love and the smiling face of her.
—James Whitcomb Riley
Topics: Home
Who bides his time—he tastes the sweet
Of honey in the saltiest tear;
And though he fares with slowest feet.
Joy runs to meet him drawing near.
—James Whitcomb Riley
Topics: Difficulty
It is no use to grumble and complain; It is no use to grumble and complain;
It’s just as cheap and easy to rejoice;
When God sorts out the weather and sends rain –
Why, rain’s my choice.
—James Whitcomb Riley
Topics: Complaining, Acceptance, Attitude
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Theodor Seuss Geisel (‘Dr. Seuss’) American Children’s Books Writer
- Marie Chapian American Christian Writer
- e. e. cummings American Poet, Writer, Painter
- Carl Sandburg American Poet, Historian
- Nikki Giovanni American Poet, Writer
- Phyllis McGinley American Children’s Books Writer
- Elizabeth Prentiss American Children’s Books Writer
- Shel Silverstein American Cartoonist, Author
- Diane Ackerman American Poet, Naturalist
- May Sarton American Children’s Books Writer
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