Those who are too afraid to make a mistake work for those who aren’t.
—Unknown
Hard work has made it easy. That is my secret. That is why I win.
—Nadia Comaneci (b.1961) Romanian-born American Gymnast
I early found that when I worked for myself alone, myself alone worked for me; but when I worked for others also, others worked also for me.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
When men are employed, they are best contented; for on the days they worked they were good-natured and cheerful, and, with the consciousness of having done a good day’s work, they spent the evening jollily; but on our idle days they were mutinous and quarrelsome.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Know them which labor among you … esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
In order that people may be happy in their work, these three things are needed: They must be fit for it. They must not do too much of it. And they must have a sense of success in it.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
To be idle and to be poor have always been reproaches; and therefore every man endeavors with his utmost care to hide his poverty from others, and his idleness from himself.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
The better work men do is always done under stress and at great personal cost.
—William Carlos Williams (1883–1963) American Poet, Novelist, Cultural Historian
As you start to see the possibilities in the impossible, you will begin to see that the world works “perfectly”. You can find reason and purpose in everything—if you open your mind to it.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
It is not the employer who pays the wages. He only handles the money. It is the product that pays the wages.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near.
—Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013) British Head of State
Give yourself something to work toward—constantly.
—Mary Kay Ash (1918–2001) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
The man who wins is the average man,
Not built on any particular plan;
Not blessed with any particular luck.
—Conrad Hilton (1887–1979) American Hotelier, Business Magnate
Life only demands from you the strength you possess. Only one feat is possible—not to have run away.
—Dag Hammarskjold (1905–61) Swedish Statesman, UN Diplomat
The contemporary form of true greatness lies in a civilization founded on the spirituality of work.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
People are smarter than you think. Give them a chance to prove themselves.
—Tim Ferriss (b.1977) American Self-help Author
Whenever it is possible, a boy should choose some occupation which he should do even if he did not need the money.
—William Lyon Phelps (1865–1943) American Literary Scholar, Academic
Because all things are necessary to man’s complete unfoldment, all things in human life are the work of God.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
We all do everything, share the work—there’s no room around here for a star, for someone to think she’s above the others. You’re expected to pitch in on whatever needs doing. Nothing is beneath your dignity. But on the other hand, nothing is beyond your reach.
—Frances Hasselbein (1915–2022) American Businessperson, Leadership Expert
Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
When I was a young man I observed that nine out of ten things I did were failures. I didn’t want to be a failure, so I did ten times more work.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Ugliness, squalor are breeding grounds for revolution. Beauty is conducive to tranquility, happiness. Beautifying of homes and places of worship began with the dawn of civilization. Beautifying of workplaces is only in its infancy. Yet, since men normally spend more than half of their waking hours at work, surely it is important that adequate attention be devoted to elevating their working environment, whether office or factory, foundry or machine shop, mine or warehouse. Beautiful surroundings subtly encourage beautiful living. Drab surroundings, bad air, bad light, evoke bad reactions.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
Work is the curse of the drinking classes.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
If it’s important to you and you want to do it “eventually,” just do it and correct course along the way.
—Tim Ferriss (b.1977) American Self-help Author
Your subconscious mind does not argue with you. It accepts what your conscious mind decrees. If you say, “I can’t afford it,” your subconscious mind works to make it true. Select a better thought. Decree, “I’ll buy it. I accept it in my mind.”
—Joseph Murphy (1898–1981) American Author, Minister
Sweat is the cologne of accomplishment.
—Heywood Hale Broun (1918–2001) American Journalist, Commentator, Actor
I’ve seen the promised land, and there is good news. You can have it all.
—Tim Ferriss (b.1977) American Self-help Author
My share of the work of the world may be limited, but the fact that it is work makes it precious. Darwin could work only half an hour at a time; but in many diligent half-hours he laid anew the foundations of philosophy. Green, the historian, tells us that the world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of the heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Plans get you into things but you’ve got to work your way out.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
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