How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds, makes deeds ill done!
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
A wise man will make more opportunities, than he finds.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
To choose time is to save time; and an unseasonable motion is but beating the air.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
There is far more opportunity than there is ability.
—Thomas Edison (1847–1931) American Inventor, Scientist, Entrepreneur
The best men are not those who have waited for chances but who have taken them; besieged the chance; conquered the chance; and made chance the servitor.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
Occasion may be the bugle call that summons an army to battle, but the blast of a bugle can never make soldiers nor win battles.
—James A. Garfield (1831–81) American Head of State, Lawyer, Educator
It is not manly to turn one’s back on fortune.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.
—Tom Peters (b.1942) American Management Consultant, Author
Many do with opportunities as children do at the seashore; they fill their little hands with sand, and then let the grains fall through, one by one, till all are gone.
—Thomas Jones
For truth and duty it is ever the fitting time; who waits until circumstances completely favor his undertaking, will never accomplish anything.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
We must open the doors of opportunity.
—Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–73) American Head of State, Political leader
Opportunity makes a thief.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Start where you are. Distant fields always look greener, but opportunity lies right where you are. Take advantage of every opportunity of service.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
Luck. Take a second look at what appears to be someone’s “good luck.” You’ll find not luck but preparation, planning, and success-producing thinking.
—David J. Schwartz (1927–87) American Self-help Author
Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
A door that seems to stand open must be a man’s size, or it is not the door that providence means for him.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it had ceased to be one.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
To recognize an opportunity and use it is the difference between success and failure.
—Unknown
The more you seek security, the less of it you have. But the more you seek opportunity, the more likely it is that you will achieve the security that you desire.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
It is common to overlook what is near by keeping the eye fixed on something remote. In the same manner present opportunities are neglected and attainable good is slighted by minds busied in extensive ranges, and intent upon future advantages. Life, however short, is made shorter by waste of time.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Everything changes but change itself. Everything flows and nothing remains the same…You cannot step twice into the same river, for other waters and yet others go flowing ever on.
—Heraclitus (535BCE–475BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
To ignore the unexpected (even if it were possible) would be to live without opportunity, spontaneity, and the rich moments of which “life” is made.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
Success doesn’t come to you—you go to it.
—Marva Collins (1936–2015) American Educator
There is one thing we can do, and the happiest people are those who an do it to the limit of their ability. We can be completely present. We can be all here. We can… give all our attention to the opportunity before us.
—Mark Van Doren (1894–1972) American Poet, Writer, Critic
The Gods cannot help those who do not seize opportunities
—Chinese Proverb
An empowered organization is one in which individuals have the knowledge, skill, desire, and opportunity to personally succeed in a way that leads to collective organizational success.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
I will greet this day with love in my heart. And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love and I will be born again. I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will welcome happiness for it enlarges my heart; yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due; yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge.
—Og Mandino (1923–96) American Self-Help Author
Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities; strong men make them.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
Some people steer by the light from the stars, while others steer by the lights from each passing ship.
—Indian Proverb
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