A sedentary life is the real sin against the Holy Spirit. Only those thoughts that come by walking have any value.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Delay not to seize the hour.
—Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) Greek Playwright
The sleeping fox catches no poultry.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Delay always breeds danger, and to protract a great design is often to ruin it.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
What you theoretically know, vividly realize.
—Francis Thompson (1859–1907) English Poet, Ascetic
Words gain credibility by deed.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
We must not waste life in devising means. It is better to plan less and do more.
—William Ellery Channing (1780–1842) American Unitarian Theologian, Poet
The biggest sin is sitting on your ass.
—Florynce Kennedy (1916–2000) American Lawyer, Civil Rights Leader, Feminist, Activist
Nothing else so destroys the power to stand alone as the habit of leaning upon others. If you lean, you will never be strong or original. Stand alone or bury your ambition to be somebody in the world.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
In the arena of human life the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
As long as you can start, you are all right. The juice will come.
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American Author, Journalist, Short Story Writer
The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Action is eloquence.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
—Chinese Proverb
Eighty percent of success is showing up.
—Woody Allen (b.1935) American Film Actor, Director
If you can talk brilliantly about a problem, it can create the consoling illusion that it has been mastered.
—Stanley Kubrick (1928–99) American Film Director, Writer, Film Producer, Photographer
With mere good intentions hell is Proverbially paved.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
The hour is ripe, and yonder lies the way.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
Well done is better than well said.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Beginnings are apt to be shadowy and so it is the beginnings of the great mother life, the sea.
—Rachel Carson (1907–64) American Naturalist, Science Writer
If you don’t place your foot on the rope, you’ll never cross the chasm.
—Unknown
Every beginning is hard.
—Unknown
The wise does at once what the fool does at last.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
Men are alike in their promises. It is only in their deeds that they differ.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
Unless a capacity for thinking be accompanied by a capacity for action, a superior mind exists in torture.
—Benedetto Croce (1866–1952) Italian Philosopher, Literary Critic
To avoid an occasion for our virtues is a worse degree of failure than to push forward pluckily and make a fall.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
The only menace is inertia.
—Saint-John Perse (1887–1975) French Poet, Diplomat
The first step is always the hardest.
—Common Proverb
Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State