The ultimate inspiration is the deadline.
—Nolan Bushnell (b.1943) American Engineer, Businessman
I’ve always felt it was not up to anyone else to make me give my best.
—Hakeem Olajuwon (b.1963) Nigerian-American Athlete
The world is not respectable; it is mortal, tormented, confused, deluded forever; but it is shot through with beauty, with love, with glints of courage and laughter; and in these, the spirit blooms timidly, and struggles to the light amid the thorns.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
One of the strongest characteristics of genius is the power of lighting its own fire.
—John W. Foster
When the leader passes over all alike, not making a distinction, then the endeavors of those who are capable of exertion are entirely lost.
—The Hitopadesha Indian Collection of Fables
Who is sure of their own motives can in confidence advance or retreat.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
It is not the horse that draws the cart, but the oats.
—Russian Proverb
Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.
—Anonymous
Am I motivated by what I really want out of life—or am I mass-motivated?
—Earl Nightingale (1921–89) American Motivational Speaker, Author
I’ve always felt that a manager has achieved a great deal when he’s able to motivate one other person. When it comes to making the place run, motivation is everything. You might be able to do the work of two people, but you can’t be two people. Instead, you have to inspire the next guy down the line and get him to inspire his people.
—Lee Iacocca (1924–2019) American Businessperson
We must treasure the achievers of our land because it’s they who raise the sights of all the others.
—Unknown
Comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.
—Finley Peter Dunne (1867–1936) American Author, Writer, Humorist
What comes from the heart, goes to the heart.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
Whatever touches the nerves of motive, whatever shifts man’s moral position, is mightier than steam, or caloric, or lightning.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all.
—Leo Rosten (1908–97) Polish-born American Humorist, Screenwriter, Writer
Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn’t know that; so it goes on flying anyway.
—Mary Kay Ash (1918–2001) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
It’s simpler and easier to flatter people than to praise them.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Philosopher
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
The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves.
—Mike Ditka (b.1939) American Football Player, Coach
There is only one way… to get anybody to do anything. And that is by making the other person want to do it.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
We talk on principal, but act on motivation.
—Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) English Writer, Poet
Five minutes of today are worth as much to me, as five minutes in the next millennium.
Let us be poised, and wise, and our own, today.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The best morale exists when you never hear the word mentioned. When you hear a lot of talk about it, it’s usually lousy.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
No one does anything from a single motive.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
We would frequently be ashamed of our good deeds if people saw all of the motives that produced them.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
God made man to go by motives, and he will not go without them, any more than a boat without steam, or a balloon without gas.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
If you would lift me up you must be on higher ground.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
You cannot raise a man up by calling him down.
—William J. H. Boetcker (1873–1962) American Presbyterian Minister
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