Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by William George Jordan (American Essayist)

William George Jordan (1864–1928) was an American editor, lecturer, and essayist known for his writings on self-improvement, mental training, and personal development. His works emphasized calmness, character-building, and the power of individual thought.

Born in New York City, Jordan graduated from the City College of New York and began his literary career as editor of Book Chat in 1884. He later joined Current Literature in 1888, becoming managing editor. In 1891, he moved to Chicago and developed a lecture program on mental training, advocating for education that emphasized critical thinking over rote memorization.

Returning to New York in 1894, he continued his editorial career, working for The Ladies’ Home Journal and The Saturday Evening Post. From 1899 to 1905, he served as editor and vice president of Continental Publishing Company. His lectures and writings gained popularity for their straightforward style and practical wisdom.

His most notable works in self-help include Mental Training: A Remedy for Education (1894,) The Majesty of Calmness (1898,) The Kingship of Self-Control (1899,) and The Power of Truth (1902.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by William George Jordan

There are times when a man should be content with what he has, but never with what he is.
—William George Jordan

Into the hands of every individual is given a marvelous power for good or evil-the silent, unconscious, unseen influence of his life. This is simply the constant radiation of what man really is, not what he pretends to be.
—William George Jordan
Topics: Power

There are men whose presence seems to radiate sunshine, cheer, optimism. With them you feel calm and rested and restored, in a moment, to a new and stronger faith in humanity.
—William George Jordan

Unhappiness is the hunger to get; happiness is the hunger to give. If the individual should set out for a single day to give happiness, to make life happier, brighter and sweeter, not for himself but for others, he would find a wondrous revelation of what happiness really is.
—William George Jordan

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