I have all my life been on my guard against the information conveyed by the sense of hearing — it being one of my earliest observations, the universal inclination of humankind is to be led by the ears, and I am sometimes apt to imagine that they are given to men as they are to pitchers, purposely that they may be carried about by them.
—Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689–1762) English Aristocrat, Poet, Novelist, Writer
Human beings are perhaps never more frightening than when they are convinced beyond doubt that they are right.
—Laurens van der Post (1906–96) South African-born British Political leader, Author, Educator, Journalist, Humanitarian
The principal part of faith is patience.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
You believe easily what you hope for earnestly.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
Believe only half of what you see and nothing that you hear.
—Dinah Craik (1826–87) British Novelist, Essayist, Poet
They were so strong in their beliefs that there came a time when it hardly mattered what exactly those beliefs were; they all fused into a single stubbornness.
—Louise Erdrich (b.1954) American Children’s Books Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Poet
We are all tattooed in our cradles with the beliefs of our tribe; the record may seem superficial, but it is indelible. You cannot educate a man wholly out of the superstitious fears which were early implanted in his imagination; no matter how utterly his reason may reject them, he will still feel as the famous woman did about ghosts, “Je n’y crois pas, mais je les crains,” — “I don’t believe in them, but I am afraid of them, nevertheless”.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist
For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don’t believe, no proof is possible.
—Unknown
We are slow to believe that which if believed would hurt our feelings.
—Louis Nizer (1902–1994) American Lawyer, Author
Believe in what you can do and be not deterred by what others say.
—Jacob Gelt Dekker (b.1948) Dutch Businessman, Writer
I doubt if one ever accepts a belief until one urgently needs it.
—Christopher Isherwood (1904–86) Anglo-American Novelist, Playwright
Faith in our associates is part of our faith in God.
—Charles Cooley (1864–1929) American Sociologist
The most positive men are the most credulous, since they most believe themselves, and advise most with their falsest flatterer and worst enemy,—their own self-love.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
It is the belief in a power larger than myself and other than myself which allows me to venture into the unknown and even the unknowable.
—Maya Angelou (1928–2014) American Poet
Some people will believe anything if you whisper it to them.
—Louis Nizer (1902–1994) American Lawyer, Author
This is how humans are: we question all our beliefs, except for the ones we really believe, and those we never think to question.
—Orson Scott Card (b.1951) American Author, Critic, Political Activist
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
There seems to be a great misunderstanding on the part of a great many people to the effect that when you cease to believe you may cease to behave.
—Louis Kronenberger (1904–80) American Drama, Literary Critic
Faith … acts promptly and boldly on the occasion, on slender evidence.
—John Henry Newman (1801–90) British Theologian, Poet
I believe because it is impossible.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you are right.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
Not believing has a sickness which is believing a little.
—Antonio Porchia (1885–1968) Italian Poet
Devout believers are safeguarded in a high degree against the risk of certain neurotic illnesses; their acceptance of the universal neurosis spares them the task of constructing a personal one.
—Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) Austrian Psychiatrist, Psychoanalytic
Remind yourself regularly that you are better than you think you are. Successful people are not supermen. Success does not require a superintellect. Nor is there anything mystical about success. And success isn’t based on luck. Successful people are just ordinary folks who have developed belief in themselves and what they do. Never—yes, never—sell yourself short.
—David J. Schwartz (1927–87) American Self-help Author
It is impossible on reasonable grounds to disbelieve miracles.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired.
—Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957) Greek Novelist, Poet, Dramatist
Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Whatever you believe with emotion becomes your reality. You always act in a manner consistent with your innermost beliefs and convictions.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
I don’t think anything is unrealistic if you believe you can do it. I think if you are determined enough and willing to pay the price, you can get it done.
—Mike Ditka (b.1939) American Sportsperson
Principles have no real force except when one is well-fed.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Believe
Believe in yourself, what you think, what you feel.
Believe in the truth, in the good, the ideal.
Believe that your dreams can someday become real…
Forever and always, believe.
Believe in yourself and what you can do.
Believe in the goals that you strive to pursue.
Believe in the friends who believe in you too…
Forever and always, believe.
—Jessica Lucas (b.1985) Canadian Actress, Singer
Believe Big. The size of your success is determined by the size of your belief. Think little goals and expect little achievements. Think big goals and win big success. Remember this, too! Big ideas and big plans are often easier—certainly no more difficult—than small ideas and small plans.
—David J. Schwartz (1927–87) American Self-help Author
Everything is possible for him who believes.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Learned helplessness is the giving-up reaction, the quitting response that follows from the belief that whatever you do doesn’t matter.
—Martin Seligman (b.1942) American Psychologist, Author
Vain are the thousand creeds that move men’s hearts, unutterably vain; Worthless as withered weeds, or idlest froth amid the boundless main.
—Emily Bronte (1818–48) English Novelist, Poet
Some like to understand what they believe in. Others like to believe in what they understand.
—Stanislaw Jerzy Lec (1909–1966) Polish Aphorist, Poet
To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all; but to believe in the unseen is a triumph and a blessing.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
The practical effect of a belief is the real test of its soundness.
—James Anthony Froude (1818–94) British Historian, Novelist, Biographer, Editor
Never believe in anything until it has been officially denied.
—Otto von Bismarck (1815–98) German Chancellor, Prime Minister
If we were logical, the future would be bleak, indeed. But we are more than logical. We are human beings, and we have faith, and we have hope, and we can work.
—Jacques Cousteau (1910–97) French Oceanographer, Documentary Director
Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. We should live for the future, and yet should find our life in the fidelities of the present; the last is only the method of the first.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
It doesn’t matter how many say it cannot be done or how many people have tried it before; it’s important to realize that whatever you’re doing, it’s your first attempt at it.
—Wally Amos (b.1936) American Entrepreneur
Rational free spirits are the light brigade who go on ahead and reconnoiter the ground which the heavy brigade of the orthodox will eventually occupy.
—Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–99) German Philosopher, Physicist
Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn’t have it in the beginning.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
You’re not free until you’ve been made captive by supreme belief.
—Marianne Moore (1887–1972) American Poet
My belief is firm in a law of compensation. The true rewards are ever in proportion to the labour and sacrifices made.
—Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) Serbian-American Electrical Engineer, Inventor
Your faith is what you believe, not what you know.
—John Lancaster Spalding (1840–1916) American Catholic Clergyman, Educator, Essayist, Biographer
He has not learned the first lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
In the world’s audience hall, the simple blade of grass sits on the same carpet with the sunbeams, and the stars of midnight.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
The essence of the Liberal outlook lies not in what opinions are held, but in how they are held: instead of being held dogmatically, they are held tentatively, and with a consciousness that new evidence may at any moment lead to their abandonment.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
They can, because they think they can.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
And above all things, never think that you’re not good enough yourself. A man should never think that. My belief is that in life people will take you at your own reckoning.
—Anthony Trollope (1815–82) English Novelist
Some believe all that parents, tutors, and kindred believe.—They take their principles by inheritance, and defend them as they would their estates, because they are born heirs to them.
—Isaac Watts (1674–1748) English Hymn writer
Faith may be defined briefly as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbable.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
Faith is God felt by heart, not by reason.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
These then are my last words to you. Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it, when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it, even if I did not have the ability in the beginning.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
You can change your beliefs so they empower your dreams and desires. Create a strong belief in yourself and what you want.
—Marcia Wieder
Faith, to my mind, is a stiffening process, a sort of mental starch, which ought to be applied as sparingly as possible.
—E. M. Forster (1879–1970) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist
Faith assuages, guides, restores.
—Arthur Rimbaud (1854–91) French Poet, Adventurer
If you think you’re beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don’t;
If you’d like to win, but think, you can’t
It’s almost a cinch you won’t.
If you think you will lose, you’re lost;
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will,
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you’re outclassed, you are;
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to hustle before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.
—Walter D. Wintle American Poet
Faith which does not doubt is dead faith.
—Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936) Spanish Educator, Philosopher, Author
Faith is believing where we cannot prove.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it is possible.
—Richard DeVos (1926–2018) American Businessman, Philanthropist
The barrier between success is not something which exists in the real world: it is composed purely and simply of doubts about ability.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
A belief is like a guillotine, just as heavy, just as light.
—Franz Kafka (1883–1924) Austrian Novelist, Short Story Writer
My creed is this: Happiness is the only good. The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now. The way to be happy is to make others so.
—Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–99) American Lawyer, Orator, Agnostic
To believe with certainty, we must begin by doubting.
—Polish Proverb
He who has no faith in others shall find no faith in them.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
What matters is not the idea a man holds, but the depth at which he holds it.
—Ezra Pound (1885-1972) American Poet, Translator, Critic
Man tends to treat all his opinions as principles.
—Herbert Agar (1897–1980) American Journalist, Historian, Poet, Critic
Men freely believe that which they desire.
—Julius Caesar (c.100–44BCE) Roman Statesman, Military General
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts about reality.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it.
—Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) American Baptist Minister
I don’t think of myself as a poor deprived ghetto girl who made good. I think of myself as somebody who from an early age knew I was responsible for myself, and I had to make good.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
Faith makes the discords of the present the harmonies of the future.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
Because you cannot see him, God is everywhere.
—Yasunari Kawabata (1899–1972) Japanese Novelist, Short Story Writer
In the province of the mind, what one believes to be true either is true or becomes true.
—John Lyly (1554–1606) English Dramatist, Novelist, Writer
Can a faith that does nothing be called sincere?
—Jean Racine (1639–1699) French Dramatist
I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
Man can believe the impossible, but can never believe the improbable.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
One person with a belief is a social power equal to ninety-nine who have only interests.
—John Stuart Mill (1806–73) English Philosopher, Economist
I’ve always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn’t have a chance to win.
—Arnold Palmer (b.1929) American Sportsperson
I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.
—Shirley Temple (1928–2014) American Actress, Diplomat
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
Believe in something larger than yourself… Get involved in the big ideas of your time.
—Barbara Bush (1925–2018) American First Lady
To be a champ, you have to believe in yourself when nobody else will.
—Sugar Ray Robinson (1921–89) American Boxer
When we argue for our limitations, we get to keep them.
—Peter McWilliams (1949–2000) American Author, Activist
There lies at the back of every creed something terrible and hard for which the worshipper may one day be required to suffer.
—E. M. Forster (1879–1970) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist
Only the person who has faith in himself is able to be faithful to others.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
We believe at once in evil, we only believe in good upon reflection. — Is not this sad?
—Dorothee Luzy Dotinville (1747–1830) French Dancer, Actress
More persons, on the whole, are humbugged by believing in nothing, than by believing too much.
—P. T. Barnum (1810–91) American Businessperson, Entertainer
We have only to believe. And the more threatening and irreducible reality appears, the more firmly and desperately we must believe. Then, little by little, we shall see the universal horror unbend, and then smile upon us, and then take us in its more than human arms.
—Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955) French Jesuit Philosopher, Paleontologist
There is one inevitable criterion of judgment touching religious faith . .. Can you reduce it to practice? If not, have none of it.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
In order to be a realist you must believe in miracles.
—David Ben-Gurion (1886–1973) Russian-born Israeli Head of State
The only faith that wears well and holds its color in all weathers is that which is woven of conviction and set with the sharp mordant of experience.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I shall have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it, even if I may not have it at the beginning.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Faith begins as an experiment and ends as an experience.
—William Ralph Inge (1860–1954) English Anglican Clergyman, Priest, Mystic
Faith is an act of self-consecration, in which the will, the intellect, and the affections all have their place.
—William Ralph Inge (1860–1954) English Anglican Clergyman, Priest, Mystic
You can do what you think you can do and you cannot do what you think you cannot.
—Ben Stein (b.1944) American Lawyer, Writer, Economist, Humorist
You believe easily that which you hope for earnestly.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
The world we see that seems so insane is the result of a belief system that is not working. To perceive the world differently, we must be willing to change our belief system, let the past slip away, expand our sense of now, and dissolve the fear in our minds.
—Gerald Jampolsky (b.1925) American Psychiatrist
We cannot hand our faith to one another … Even in the Middle Ages, when faith was theoretically uniform, it was always practically individual.
—John Jay Chapman (1862–1933) American Biographer, Poet, Essayist, Writer
Belief is the death of intelligence. As soon as one believes a doctrine of any sort, or assumes certitude, one stops thinking about that aspect of existence.
—Robert Anton Wilson (1932–2007) American Polymath, Essayist, Novelist, Philosopher, Playwright
Our systems, perhaps, are nothing more than an unconscious apology for our faults—a gigantic scaffolding whose object is to hide from us our favorite sin.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
Few really believe. The most only believe that they believe or even make believe.
—John Lancaster Spalding (1840–1916) American Catholic Clergyman, Educator, Essayist, Biographer
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Faith is a living and unshakable confidence, a belief in the grace of God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
A belief is not true because it is useful.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
What do I believe? As an American I believe in generosity, in liberty, in the rights of man. These are social and political faiths that are part of me, as they are, I suppose, part of all of us. Such beliefs are easy to express. But part of me too is my relation to all life, my religion. And this is not so easy to talk about. Religious experience is highly intimate and, for me, ready words are not at hand.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
Believing: it means believing in our own lies. And I can say that I am grateful that I got this lesson very early.
—Gunter Grass (1927–2015) German Novelist, Poet
A conservative believes nothing should be done for the first time.
—Lynwood L. Giacomini (1913–91) American Publisher, Bibliophile
Faith is nothing but obedience and piety.
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher, Theologian
With most people, unbelief in one thing is founded upon blind belief in another.
—Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–99) German Philosopher, Physicist
Faith, as an intellectual state, is self-reliance.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist
Men willingly believe what they wish.
—Julius Caesar (c.100–44BCE) Roman Statesman, Military General
Every time a child says, “I don’t believe in fairies,” there is a fairy somewhere that falls down dead.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
It is so hard to believe because it is so hard to obey.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
Man is what he believes.
—Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) Russian Short-Story Writer
As soon as you begin to believe in something, then you can no longer see anything else. The truth you believe in and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new.
—Pema Chodron (b.1936) American Buddhist Nun
A man’s got to believe in something. I believe I’ll have another drink.
—W. C. Fields (1880–1946) American Actor, Comedian, Writer
You can be anything you want to be, if you only believe with sufficient conviction and act in accordance with your faith; for whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
People don’t believe what you tell them. They rarely believe what you show them. They often believe what their friends tell them. They always believe what they tell themselves.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
The old believe everything; the middle-aged suspect everything; the young know everything.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it — as long as you really believe 100 percent.
—Arnold Schwarzenegger (b.1947) Austrian-American Athlete, Actor, Politician
There is nothing that fear and hope does not permit men to do.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues (1715–47) French Moralist, Essayist, Writer
If you think you can, you can.
And if you think you can’t, you’re right.
—Mary Kay Ash (1918–2001) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
To believe in God is to yearn for His existence, and furthermore, it is to act as if He did exist.
—Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936) Spanish Educator, Philosopher, Author
Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible.
—Unknown
The prompter the refusal, the less the disappointment.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Every dogma has its day.
—Abraham Rotstein (1929–2015) Canadian Economist, Academic