What this power is I cannot say; all I know is that it exists and it becomes available only when a man is in that state of mind in which he knows exactly what he wants and is fully determined not to quit until he finds it.

The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true.

You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.

Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.

An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes.

You don’t have to give way to careless speech or complaining. You don’t have to let your feelings get in the way of what God wants to do in your life.

So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for every thing one has a mind to do.

There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.

One of the best mental disciplines for people to implement is simply putting together a schedule or a task list and actually executing it. Write the list or the schedule the night before, and then do what you said you would do. Life becomes much better when you do that.

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.

By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.

We must not sit still and look for miracles; up and doing, and the Lord will be with thee. Prayer and pains, through faith in Christ Jesus, will do anything.

I would rather make my name than inherit it.

Everybody should do at least two things each day that he hates to do, just for practice.

Off with you! You’re a happy fellow, for you’ll give happiness and joy to many other people. There is nothing better or greater than that!

Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.

I didn’t have nothin‘ going for me… school, home… until I found something I loved, which was music, and that changed everything.

We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us thru that darkness to a safe and sane future.

First ask yourself: What is the worst that can happen? Then prepare to accept it. Then proceed to improve on the worst.

I want to put a ding in the universe.

As long as I’m learning something, I figure I’m OK – it’s a decent day.

The best way out is always through.

I have my flaws too, but I am a professional who doesn’t like to miss or lose.

Little minds are interested in the extraordinary; great minds in the commonplace.

As for me, prizes are nothing. My prize is my work.

We need to steer clear of this poverty of ambition, where people want to drive fancy cars and wear nice clothes and live in nice apartments but don’t want to work hard to accomplish these things. Everyone should try to realize their full potential.

I think we’re going to the moon because it’s in the nature of the human being to face challenges. It’s by the nature of his deep inner soul… we’re required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream.

If you want special results, you have to feel special things and do special things together. You can speak about spirit, or you can live it.

It doesn’t take a majority to make a rebellion; it takes only a few determined leaders and a sound cause.

Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.

I want people to draw strength from me.

God’s desire is that we excel.

Women deeply want men who are competent and powerful. And I don’t mean power in that they can exert tyrannical control over others. That’s not power. That’s just corruption.

People tend to dwell more on negative things than on good things. So the mind then becomes obsessed with negative things, with judgments, guilt and anxiety produced by thoughts about the future and so on.

You can’t knock on opportunity’s door and not be ready.

Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war.

If a man constantly aspires is he not elevated?

Fear clogs; faith liberates.

He who is contented is rich.

If selfishness is the key to being miserable, then selflessness must be the key to being happy!

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

For a long time, I had the idea that I would do a certain amount of work the best I could, and then I would reach a comfort zone, and I wouldn’t be pushed to write more. I would become a different person. It’s a surprise to me that this hasn’t happened. Your body ages, but your mind is the same.

I want kids to know: Don’t wait for somebody to come along and tell you you’re special. Because that may never happen.

Do not go gentle into that good night but rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.

You just do what you can and you have as much fun as possible.

Where sense is wanting, everything is wanting.

When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.

The person who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.

I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can’t be done.

If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.

I like money, but it’s never been about the money.

What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?

The desire of excessive power caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge caused men to fall.

Never be lucid, never state, if you would be regarded great.

Power is given only to those who dare to lower themselves and pick it up. Only one thing matters, one thing; to be able to dare!

Loving others always costs us something and requires effort. And you have to decide to do it on purpose. You can’t wait for a feeling to motivate you.

If you want a quality, act as if you already had it.

I intend to live forever, or die trying.

Remember, man does not live on bread alone: sometimes he needs a little buttering up.

Act, and God will act.