We are always getting ready to live, but never living.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.
—Stephen King (b.1947) American Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Screenwriter, Columnist, Film Director
Shape your heart to front the hour, but dream not that the hours will last.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
An individual’s self-concept is the core of his personality. It affects every aspect of human behavior: the ability to learn, the capacity to grow and change. A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success in life.
—Joyce Brothers qqq
Imperfect preparation gives rise to the thousand-fold forms that express physical and mental inferiority and insecurity.
—Alfred Adler (1870–1937) Austrian Psychiatrist
I run on the road, long before I dance under the lights.
—Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) American Sportsperson
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
—Unknown
The meeting of preparation with opportunity generates the offspring we call luck.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
Dislodging a green nut from it’s shell is almost impossible, but let it dry and the lightest tap will do it.
—Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (1836–86) Indian Hindu Philosopher
One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.
—Arthur Ashe (1943–93) American Tennis Player
Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.
—Robert H. Schuller (1926–2015) American Christian Televangelist, Author
The preparations were elaborate and mammoth in scale, and Washington threw himself into the effort, demanding that not an hour be lost.
—David McCullough (b.1933) American Historian
If you are prepared, you will be confident, and will do the job.
—Tom Landry (1924–2000) American Sportsperson
The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today’s work superbly well.
—William Osler (1849–1919) Canadian Physician
Luck is preparation meeting opportunity.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
Did you ever observe to whom the accidents happen?. Chance favors only the prepared mind.
—Louis Pasteur (1822–95) French Biologist
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.
—Colin Powell (b.1937) American Military Leader
Life is a long preparation for something that never happens.
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) Irish Poet, Dramatist
A little neglect may breed great mischief. For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, the horse was lost; and for want of a horse, the rider was lost; being overtaken, and slain by the enemy. All for want of care about a horse-shoe nail.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
The best preparation for the future is the present well seen to, the last duty well done.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State