Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous journey that never ends.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
The measure of a master is his success in bringing all men around to his opinion twenty years later.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
A great person is one who affects the mind of their generation.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Recipe for greatness – To bear up under loss, to fight the bitterness of defeat and the weakness of grief, to be victor over anger, to smile when tears are close, to resist evil men and base instincts, to hate hate and to love love, to go on when it would seem good to die, to seek ever after the glory and the dream, to look up with unquenchable faith in something evermore about to be, that is what any man can do, and so be great.
—Zane Grey (1875–1939) American Novelist
When the legacy you leave behind lasts for hours, days or a lifetime, you matter.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in hard words and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict everything you said today… Is it so bad then to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who know me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower when I thought a flower would grow.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Well, I wouldn’t say that I was in the great class, but I had a great time while I was trying to be great.
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Great men hallow a whole people, and lift up all who live in their time.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
I can’t believe that God put us on this earth to be ordinary.
—Lou Holtz (1893–1980) American Stage Performer
If any man seeks for greatness, let him forget greatness and ask for truth, and he will find both.
—Horace Mann (1796–1859) American Educator, Politician, Educationalist
Great men are not always wise.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Great woman belong to history and to self sacrifice.
—Leigh Hunt (1784–1859) British Poet, Essayist, Journalist
A position of eminence makes a great person greater and a small person less.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
Might I give counsel to any man, I would say to him, try to frequent the company of your betters. In books and in life, that is the most wholesome society; learn to admire rightly; the great pleasure of life is that. Note what great men admire.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
In life we shall find many men that are great, and some men that are good, but very few men that are both great and good.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Becoming a superstar takes about 10,000 hours of hard work.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
It is always the adventurers who do great things, not the sovereigns of great empires.
—Montesquieu (1689–1755) French Political Philosopher, Jurist
Despite everybody who has been born and has died, the world has just gone on. I mean, look at Napoleon—but we went right on. Look at Harpo Marx—the world went around, it didn’t stop for a second. It’s sad but true. John Kennedy, right?
—Bob Dylan (b.1941) American Singer-songwriter
Tribes makes our lives better, and leading a tribe is the best life of all.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
Be personal. Be relevant. Be specific.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
Distinction is the consequence, never the object, of a great mind.
—Washington Allston (1779–1843) American Landscape Painter
To have a great man for a friend seems pleasant to those who have never tried it; those who have, fear it.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
A really great man is known by three signs—generosity in the design, humanity in the execution, moderation in success.
—Otto von Bismarck (1815–98) German Chancellor, Prime Minister
Great is he who enjoys his earthenware as if it were plate, and not less great is the man to whom all his plate is no more than earthenware.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Greatness is the secular name for Divinity : both mean simply what lies beyond us.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness—great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
Go ahead, do something impossible.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
The superiority of some men is merely local. They are great because their associates are little.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist