Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater.
—Gail Godwin (b.1937) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
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: don’t waste time looking for them. Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty to those for whom you work, and persistence.
—Colin Powell (1937–2021) American Military Leader
The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.
—Malcolm X (1925–65) American Civil Rights Leader
The best match in the world will not light a candle unless the wick be first suitably prepared.
—Algernon Blackwood (1869–1951) British Author
Life is a long preparation for something that never happens.
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) Irish Poet, Dramatist
We are always getting ready to live, but never living.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
If you are prepared, you will be confident, and will do the job.
—Tom Landry (1924–2000) 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
The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today’s work superbly well.
—William Osler (1849–1919) Canadian Physician
The great piano virtuoso Paderewski was once playing before an audience of the rich and the royal. After a brilliant performance, an elegant lady waxed ecstatic over the great artist. She said, “Ah Maestro, you are a genius!” Paderewski tartly replied, “Ah yes, madam, but before I was a genius I was a clod!” What he was saying was that his present acclaim was not handed to him on a silver platter. He, too, was once a little boy laboriously practicing his scales. And even at his peak, behind every brilliant performance there were countless hours of practice and preparation.
—Eric Butterworth (1916–2003) American Spirituality Writer
The day you are leaving is not the time to start your preparations.
—African Proverb
It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.
—Jackie Joyner-Kersee (b.1962) American Athlete
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
I run on the road, long before I dance under the lights.
—Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) American Sportsperson
Shape your heart to front the hour, but dream not that the hours will last.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
God does not work in all hearts alike, but according to the preparation and sensitivity He finds in each.
—Meister Eckhart (c.1260–1327) German Christian Mystic
If one asks for success and prepares for failure, he will get the situation he has prepared for.
—Florence Scovel Shinn (1871–1940) American Illustrator, Spiritual Writer
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
Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.
—Indian Proverb
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
—Unknown
Some people are making such thorough preparation for rainy days that they aren’t enjoying today’s sunshine.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
Miracles come in moments. Be ready and willing.
—Wayne Dyer (1940–2015) American Self-Help Author
First ask yourself: What is the worst that can happen? Then prepare to accept it. Then proceed to improve on the worst.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
To win a war quickly takes long preparation.
—Latin Proverb
You can’t push anyone up the ladder unless he is ready to climb himself.
—Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) Scottish-American Industrialist
Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.
—Robert H. Schuller (1926–2015) American Christian Televangelist, Author
Over-preparation is the foe of inspiration.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Before you prepare to improve the world, look around your own house three times.
—Chinese Proverb
I don’t know a better preparation for life than a love of poetry and a good digestion.
—Zona Gale (1874–1938) American Novelist, Story Writer, Dramatist
Imperfect preparation gives rise to the thousand-fold forms that express physical and mental inferiority and insecurity.
—Alfred Adler (1870–1937) Austrian Psychiatrist
If you’re prepared, then you’re able to feel confident.
—Robert Ringer (b.1979) American Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, Author
The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.
—H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (b.1940) American Self-Help Author
Confidence and courage come through preparation and practice.
—Unknown
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
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
In all things success depends on previous preparation, and without such previous preparation there is sure to be failure.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
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
You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
The five steps in teaching an employee new skills are preparation, explanation, showing, observation and supervision.
—Bruce Fairchild Barton (1886–1967) American Author, Advertising Executive, Politician
Today’s preparation determines tomorrow’s achievement.
—Unknown
The meeting of preparation with opportunity generates the offspring we call luck.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.
—Joe Paterno (1926–2012) American Sportsperson
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 (1927–2013) American Psychologist, Advice Columnist
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.
—Colin Powell (1937–2021) American Military Leader
Four steps to achievement: plan purposefully, prepare prayerfully, proceed positively, pursue persistently.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.
—Arthur Ashe (1943–93) American Tennis Player
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
Preparation, I have often said, is rightly two-thirds of any venture.
—Amelia Earhart (1897–1937) American Aviator