The teacher is one who makes two ideas grow where only one grew before.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Teachers, Teaching
One can play comedy, two are required for melodrama, but a tragedy demands three.
—Elbert Hubbard
Polygamy is an endeavor to get more out of life than there is in it.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Marriage
The man who doesn’t relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Stress
The line between failure and success is so fine that we scarcely know when we pass it: so fine that we are often on the line and do not know it.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Failure
We awaken in others the same attitude of mind we hold toward them.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Health, Positive Attitudes, Optimism, Mind, Attitude, War
Do your work with your whole heart, and you will succeed—there’s so little competition.
—Elbert Hubbard
Little minds are interested in the extraordinary; great minds in the commonplace.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: The Mind
The supreme prayer of my heart is not to be learned, rich, famous, powerful, or good, but simply to be radiant. I desire to radiate health, cheerfulness, calm courage, and good will. I wish to live without hate, whim, jealousy, envy, fear. I wish to be simple, honest, frank, natural, clean in mind and clean in body, unaffected – as ready to say I do not know, if it be so, and to meet all men on an absolute equality – to face any obstacle and meet every difficulty unabashed and unafraid.
I wish others to live their lives, too – up to their highest, fullest, and best. To that end I pray that I may never meddle, interfere, dictate, give advice that is not wanted, or assist when my services are not needed. If I can help people, I’ll do it by giving them a chance to help themselves; and if I can uplift or inspire, let it be by example, inference, and suggestion, rather than by injunction and dictation. That is to say, I desire to be radiant – to radiate life.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Inspirational
The great orator always shows a dash of contempt for the opinions of his audience
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Audiences
Those who do unlawful acts are no more sinners in the eyes of God than we who think them.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Sin
If you want work well done, select a busy man; the other kind has no time.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Busy, Quality, Time
Secrets are things we give to others to keep for us.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Secrets
Speak well of every one if you speak of them at all—none of us are so very good.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Conversation
The only man who makes money following the races is one who does it with a broom and shovel.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Gambling
Don’t take life too serious. You’ll never escape it alive anyway.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Life
Rivalry is the life of trade, and the death of the trader.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Business
Genius is often only the power of making continuous efforts. The line between failure and success is so fine that we scarcely know when we pass it—so fine that we are often on the line and do not know it. How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience, would have achieved success. As the tide goes clear out, so it comes clear in. In business sometimes prospects may seem darkest when really they are on the turn. A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success. There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no really insurmountable barrier save our own inherent weakness of purpose.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Genius, Resolve, Endurance, Mistakes, Persistence, Success, Perseverance, Failures, Failure
Freedom is a condition of mind, and the best way to secure it is to breed it.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Freedom
If you suffer, thank God! It is a sure sign that you are alive.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Suffering, Adversity, Difficulties
Folks who never do any more than they get paid for, never get paid for anymore than they do.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Work
The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed—it is a process of elimination.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Simplicity
A friend is a person who knows all about you-and still likes you.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Friendship
A man is as good as he has to be, and a woman is as bad as she dares.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Women
To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Critics, Perfection, Realism, Criticism, Action
The brain is a commodity used to fertilize ideas.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Ideas
The path of least resistance is what makes rivers run crooked.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Change
The ineffable joy of forgiving and being forgiven forms an ecstasy that might well arouse the envy of the gods.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Government, Forgiveness
Human service is the highest form of self-interest for the person who serves.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Service
The supernatural is the natural not yet understood.
—Elbert Hubbard
Topics: Faith
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Randolph Bourne American Writer
- Robert Anton Wilson American Polymath
- Robert M. Pirsig American Writer
- M. F. K. Fisher American Writer
- Oliver Herford American Writer
- Charles M. Schulz American Cartoonist
- John Cage American Composer
- Ursula K. Le Guin Science-fiction writer
- Glenn Beck American Mormon Children’s Books Writer
- Sheri L. Dew American Mormon Children’s Books Writer
Leave a Reply