We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
These people who are always briskly doing something and as busy as waltzing mice, they have little, sharp, staccato ideas, such as: “I see where I can make an annual cut of $3.47 in my meat budget.” But they have no slow, big ideas.
—Brenda Ueland (1891–1985) American Journalist Memoirist
Self-worth comes from one thing—thinking that you are worthy.
—Wayne Dyer (1940–2015) American Self-Help Author
Nothing is more active than thought, for it travels over the universe, and nothing is stronger than necessity for all must submit to it.
—Thales of Miletus (c.624–c.545 BCE) Greek Philosopher, Mathematician
Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the light won’t come in.
—Alan Alda (b.1936) American Actor, TV Personality, Screenwriter
The average man never really thinks from end to end of his life. The mental activity of such people is only a mouthing of cliches.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one third thinking about what I want to say.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Thought is the labor of the intellect, reverie is its pleasure.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
The mind, properly controlled, can do just about everything. You can think your way through adversity, you can think your way through problems. It is a superpowerful instrument which so few use to maximum. And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
Associate reverently, and as much as you can, with your loftiest thoughts.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
You can actually shift your thinking in such a way as to make a wrong decision or mistake an impossibility.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
A sect or party is an elegant incognito devised to save man from the vexation of thinking.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
We think in generalities, but we live in detail.
—Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947) English Mathematician, Philosopher
The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
No one has ever been able to control his thinking, although people may tell the story of how they have. I don’t let go of my thoughts?—I meet them with understanding. Then they let go of me.
—Byron Katie (b.1942) American Speaker, Author
It’s better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.
—James Thurber
We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them.
—Buddhist Teaching
Short, sweet, and to the point. Clear writing, and therefore clear commands, comes from clear thinking. Think simple.
—Tim Ferriss (b.1977) American Self-help Author
I knew I was a winner back in the late sixties. I knew I was destined for great things. People will say that kind of thinking is totally immodest. I agree. Modesty is not a word that applies to me in any way—I hope it never will.
—Arnold Schwarzenegger (b.1947) Austrian-American Athlete, Actor, Politician
A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Inventor
A person may dwell so long upon a thought that it may take him a prisoner.
—E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax (1881–1959) British Politician, Diplomat
Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
A thought which does not result in an action is nothing much, and an action which does not proceed from a thought is nothing at all.
—Georges Bernanos (1888–1948) French Novelist, Polemicist
The reason why so few people are agreeable in conversation, is, that each is thinking more of what he is intending to say, than of what others are saying; and we never listen when we are planning to speak.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Chi Wen Tzu always thought three times before taking action. Twice would have been quite enough.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
When you do The Work, you see who you are by seeing who you think other people are. Eventually you come to see that everything outside you is a reflection of your own thinking. You are the storyteller, the projector of all stories, and the world is the projected image of your thoughts.
—Byron Katie (b.1942) American Speaker, Author
Arouse the mind without resting it on anything.
—Buddhist Teaching
As you think, you travel, and as you love, you attract. You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Our job is not to make up anybody’s mind, but to open minds and to make the agony of the decision-making so intense you can escape only by thinking.
—Unknown
No one is immune to pain, and it shouldn’t be denied when it exists. The key is to know that you can lead a productive and meaningful life no matter what the external circumstances are. What positive thinking does is offer a power boost to help you handle whatever life throws at you. Your “bad breaks” do not dominate your life; your indomitable strength does. And when you feel that indomitable strength, you really can handle any of your fears from a position of power—the kind of power that really can make good things happen.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
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