Probably my most read post ever was the 20 Greatest Motivational Quotes of All Time.
So much so that I expanded the post and wrote a book with the 50 greatest quotes in that is now sent free to my new newsletter subscribers.
Sign up in the box on the left if you want a copy.
As I was trawling some quotes the other day it struck me how many amazing ones there were that I’d never heard before and I thought it would be cool to collate the best for your perusal.
Now of course I realize that you may well have heard of one or two, but I genuinely hadn’t (except one), so please don’t give me a hard time or point out that you knew 18 out of 20 and thus I’m a philistine and deserve a damn good thrashing.
1. “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him” – David Brinkley
Too many people when coming under attack crumble when instead they could view that attack/criticism as a way to grow and mature and come back stronger. Brinkley nails this aspect.
2. “Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure” – George Edward Woodberry
You know that, right? Trying and failing sucks, but never trying because you were scared of failure sucks about a gazillion times more. Don’t fear failure.
3. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There’s no point in being a damn fool about it” – W. C. Fields
This may almost seem anti-motivational, but it really isn’t. Sometimes we have to accept that we are on the wrong path and no amount of forging forward will help. Sometimes we just have bad ideas that need dumping.
3b. “Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts” – Arnold Bennett
Yes, yes and thrice I say yes. That’s why this blog was originally called The Discomfort Zone, because it’s almost impossible to change without going through some discomfort. Embrace change, embrace discomfort because if you don’t, you’re screwed.
4. “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude” – Maya Angelou
Sheer brilliance because when you think about it, those are the only two sensible options open to you. Sulking is not a sensible option.
5. “All men of action are dreamers” – James Huneker
I suspect things have changed somewhat these days, but this quote is aimed directly at parents and teachers who tell thier kids to stop day dreaming. Don’t! In fact encourage them to let their imaginations run wild.
6. “If we were to select the most intelligent, imaginative, energetic, and emotionally stable third of mankind, all races would be present” – Franz Boas
Amazing huh? I was under the impression from media and the like that there were entire countries of slack-jawed morons unable to tie their shoe laces without falling over. Nice to know that’s not the case.
7. “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are” – John Wooden.
I think this quote is more relevant now than it’s ever been with the explosion of Social Media. It seems to me that too many people spend too long, trying to live up to, or create a reputation, rather than being themselves.
8. “You grow up the day you have your first real laugh–at yourself ” — Ethel Barrymore
If you can’t laugh (without being snide) at yourself, then don’t laugh at others.
10. “There is nothing stronger in the world than gentleness” – Han Suyin
Reminds me somewhat of the Dalia Lama quote “Be kind whenever possible. It’s always possible” And guess what? It is, so be kind!
11. “Truth becomes untruth if uttered by your enemy” – George Orwell
One of my literary heroes and it perfectly sums up the us and them mentality that so many people adopt, especially cross-culturally. Listen with an open-mind.
12. “I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate” – George Burns
I was successful in sales and I pretty much hated it. Financially speaking I am nothing like as successful as a Life Coach, but I love it. George was right.
13. “Everyone who’s ever taken a shower has an idea. It’s the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes a difference” – Nolan Bushnell
How cool is this? What did you do with your last great idea?
14. “The purpose of life is a life of purpose” – Robert Byrne
Dare I mention values? Yes I dare, and this quote is rooted in the importance of you knowing your own values and then acting on them.
15. “Unbeing dead isn’t being alive” – E. E. Cummings
I just had a flashback to Bauhaus singing Bela Lugosis’s dead, but maybe that’s just me. Existing is not the same as living and you were put here to live, not exist.
16. “Our entire life – consists ultimately in accepting ourselves as we are” – Jean Anouilh
Any other approach to life is going to fail. There is only one you and you have to accept yourself with all your human frailties if you want to be happy.
17. “No man is a failure who is enjoying life” -William Feather
I had to use this one seeing as my definition of success is somebody who is happy. What better yardstick can there be?
18. “A man who trusts nobody is apt to be the kind of man nobody trusts” – Harold MacMillan
I have had a few opportunities to become cynical with people and I refuse to accept them and so should you.
19. “I always trust my gut reaction; it’s always right” – Kiana Tom
Not sure if anybody can say their gut is always right, but I like the general idea and you’re gut is way smarter than you think.
20. “I believe fundamental honesty is the keystone of business” – Harvey S. Firestone
If only every business adopted that policy, how amazing would things be? Fortunately a few new companies are getting the idea that being honest and treating their customers with respect is actually good business as well as the right thing to do.
So what’s your favorite unknown quote? Let us know in the comments!
21. “I have to trust what I do and then do it” – Ednita Nazario
Yes! Even if you’re not sure what you’re doing, even if the plan is hazy, you can still trust yourself (and your intuition) and things will by and large turn out for the best.
22. “Don’t look any further than your own reflection for a hero” – Allyson Partridge
Tis true. You are the hero of your life’s story, so start acting like it!
My strength did not come from lifting weights. My strength came from lifting myself up when I was knocked down” – Bob Moore Weightlifting Champion
23. ” The ‘good life’ begins when you stop wanting a better one” – Nkosiphambili E. Molapis
I think it’s called being content with life.
24. “I am not in this world to live up to other people’s expectations, nor do l feel that the world must live up to mine” – Fritz Perl
Fritz was definitely a bit on the edge at times with his Gestalt Therapy, but he nails this one.
25. I will come again & conquer you because as a mountain you can’t grow, but as a human, I can”- Sir Edmund Hillary
Great quote from the first man to lead a team that conquered Everest. Of course he could have given up after the first attempt, but fortunately he didn’t and neither should you.
Fantastic list of inspiration!
Most are pretty unconventional but are spot on! I’m living my life following the second quote.
I WILL suck if you do not try. I’m quitting my job soon, and I’m quitting my job soon to do something I love. I’m scared but hey, I’ll be very unhappy if I DIDN’T try.
Thanks Tim!
That was the exact approach we took to emigrating to the US. It will suck if it fails, but suck even more if we never gave it a shot.
It was a great decision.
Good List and makes me want to go search for quotes that inspire me and then write down why that is! The one that resonated the most was #19 Trust Your Gut. I agree with you, it’s not ALWAYS right, but it is a damn accurate signpost to what may be right. I’m having to make some decisions about changing jobs which means changing countries and deciding whether I stay in the northern hemispere or go back to my family in the southern hemisphere…, my gut is sending signals…, and I’m listening. Great Read as always, Mary-Ann
Don’t just listen, act! ;-)
Well they are definitely motivational and even an inspiration for all of us.. We should read them always to remind us how beautiful life is..
Indeed.
some great comments on trust, but I think I like number 1 the best. Thanks Tim a great way to start the day.
And you have taken a lot of that crap (or bricks) and kept bouncing back Mary, so good for you!
Hi Glori, (oh Hi, Tim !:) I have recently quitted my job to do something I love. Sometimes it’s a bit scary but mostly I feel a huge relief and I enjoy the space that I’ve created in my life. I know there was nothing better for me at this moment of my life than “try” !
I like the number 24 a lot.
I might use it as a mantra when facing some of my family members :)
I like that a lot too. Considering how well Perlz is known I was surprised I’d never heard that one.
Hi Tim,
That’s a great collection of quotes. I like the John Wooden’s one. Because many people nowadays want reputation so bad that they try to do unethical things. But sooner or later, they are going to be found out, so what’s the point in doing it in the first place right?
Again thank you for this entry. I’ve got some really interesting insights from this.
Cheers,
Dang
Very true Hai, you see it all over the Internet. And thank you for reading.
OK Tim, I am printing this and putting it on the wall for my little guys to read as they grow up. If I’d had enough sense to know some of these things (and take them to heart, for action) when I was younger…well, it wouldn’t have taken me so long, if nothing else!
One of my all time favorites, which is almost a non sequitur but it makes me think and laugh every time, is P.G. Wodehouse
“Few of them were to be trusted within reach of a trowel and a pile of bricks.”
I think my head just exploded trying to understand that one!
I’d love an explanation.
Oh sorry – wouldn’t want to take you away from the world over a quote (although…it would be a funny way to go!)
It’s a commentary on trusting your fellow man (because who can really do a good job making a wall? Apparently, few!) Maybe this is funny to me because I am married to a contractor and I instantly visualized all of the possibilities? If you’ve missed Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster series, you would probably love them…the driest sense of humor and absolutely ROTF hilarious.
A-ha! I see, thanks for the explanation.
Inspiration on the right track :D Thank you for these great quotes especially about the ones for discomfort zone since tomorrow I am going with my besties to a club,a place that really makes me feel uncomfortable but I decided to give it a shot thanks to general idea of the discomfort zone.If you can help me finding more quotes about that topic,it would be much appreciated :D
Have a great weekend mate :D
You’ll be fine, relax and be curious about the experience.
Thanks so much for the great quotes! I love inspirational quotes and enjoy making them also, so this list inspired me even more! Great reminders!
You’re welcome Judy and thanks to you for Tweeting!
Thanks for sharing these motivational quotes. I enjoyed reading your quotes. I like the number three quote that defeat is not the worst of failures. So, whenever someone is experiencing defeat, he must not to give up since there is still success afterward.
Agree 100%, every successful person fails many times.
25! 25! 25!
when we stop growing, we may as well die. we live as long as we actively push our limits. you can be very alive at 75 (like my father, who claims he is in fact 3 times 25 year-old), or a living zombi with no desire to evolve at 25
You nailed it!
And good for your dad too!
Aren’t quotes great? To me they are little snippets of wisdom in little tasters. The best ones, in my humble opinion, are those that are subtlety profound and make you go further into the thought. Unfortunately I can never recall them when I want to so here is my favorite quote of the moment.
I might repeat to myself, slowly and soothingly, a list of quotations beautiful from minds profound; if I can remember any of the damned things. ~Dorothy Parker
Happy Friday!
LOL, I know what you mean!
The best ones, in my humble opinion, are those that are subtlety profound and make you go further into the thought. Thanks for sharing.
Wow how stunningly similar to Maureen’s comment!
Wow, I consider myself a connoisseur of quotes and I hadn’t heard most of these! Thanks for sharing them. I especially love #6 and #23.
Saw your newest post today and, though I agree, I think even the people who speed-read this kind of stuff and move on are still better off than those who can’t be bothered with any of it. Maybe at least some seeds get planted for later!
Don’t know how my comment ended up nested here, but I guess it’s a good opportunity to add that your response here made me laugh :)
Number 3, BAM! That’s the one. I think that’s where the law of attraction stuff goes wrong, that you should always “feel good first” when going for what you want, as if discomfort isn’t part of the process.
And most things by the Dalai Lama make my heart melt…goes right along with the point about gentleness is strength. This kind, gentle strength is really the force of compassion.
I’m with you on the Dalai Lama, he’s walking wisdom.
NUmber 20 is outlandish! Especially if that’s the Mr. Firestone who I bought tires recently from. I’m not amused by the 400% markup on tires. If that isn’t the Firestone tires founder, he probably shut his door down pretty quickly.
I’m sure he did mate.
I really like Maya Angelou’s quote. Just heard the first one recently. And added to it. “So build those bricks and don’t let the big bad wolf get you!!”
OMG, is there really a big bad wolf?!!!
There are really motivational quotes. These can be a great inspirations to everyone. I enjoy reading your motivational quotes so thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome Hazel, glad you enjoyed.
When choosing what to do in life the choice that seems the hardest and the most painful, that you’d rather not do is almost always the right choice…
My Dad
A wise man ;-)
I have been collecting quotes since college. Our pastor uses quotes. I love what you are doing with them; they are great. Thank you
Good stuff Mary, thanks for dropping by.
Great quotes here is one i have only seen once unsure who its by NO ONE EVER REMAINS THE SAME WE ARE EITHER STRIVING TO GET BETTER OR ALLOWING OUR SELF TO GET WORSE.
Like it, thanks!
These are so great, Tim, but the essence of motivation to me is #13. Having a great idea is useless unless you actually DO something about it. Thanks for some spot-on reminders.
You’re right and so many people have great ideas and then whine when somebody else acts on them as they sit wondering.
Such is life ;-)
I am a recovering alcoholic…number 24 is good. Took a while to figure that out.
At least you did Vicki, many people never do.
Great list. I had to comment about your remark to the Sir Edmund Hillary quote. “Great quote from the first man to lead a team that conquered Everest” – Ed Viesters said ‘You don’t conquer Everest – you sneak up on it and then get the hell out.’ Sorry for being a jerk, but it is just how I feel.
Respectfully Yours,
Brent Williams II
You’re not being a jerk it made me laugh!
Terrific quotes. No man is a failure who is enjoying life. Describes where Im at now. At 64 I’m in the happiest time of my life and loving it.
I have seen many wonderful quotes in my time and would love to have them all in the forefront of my mind when facing every situation that arises but, like in No 13 how do you take an idea beyond the shower. How do you actually remember it and keep it active in your mind for when you need it or can do something about it.
Good for you Brad and I’d say with the latter, write the sucker down!
If you can’t at that time then avoid at all costs thinking about anything else. You can also use imagery to create a more stable memory and repeat it as many times as possible hoping it will get transferred into your long term memory.
I loved number 12, George Burns one of my favorites of all time. It is better to fail at something you love than have success at something you hate. Passion for what you do will lead to success. I wrote the following quote some 30 years ago when I started my first company” To be the future, you have to see the future, act apron you vision never look back” it has stood the test of time and five companies that I started or invested in. We are still looking to the future each day.
Great advice Douglas!
After my I pad writes words for me I see apron was put in for upon ..I love these things..
Well, when I read it on my iPhone I thought you’d written see a porn your vision and I had to do a quick double take!
I like quote no. 5, “All men of action are dreamers” that is right. Because “A MAN WHO HAS AN AMBITION IS A MAN OF VISION”.
Reminds me of the Donald Trump quote, “If you’re going to dream, you may as well dream big”
I can’t even pick a favorite. They’re all so good. Thanks so much, Tim. :D Love the Edmund Hilary quote. truly motivating.
Next Tuesday, I am going to be watching the sunrise over the third highest peak in the world – Mt.Kanchenjunga. Have a great week!
Wow that’s awesome! Hope it went great Vidya.
Hello Tim,
I have recently moved to China for a 1 year internship (I’m 28). I studied abroad, lived abroad and went on vacation before…but nothing prepared me for this adventure. I was going to give up, but I tried to change my situation (I had problems at work).
Now it seems better…but I will have to endure several challenges along my way!
I will write down some of the quotes and read them ecery once in a while. Just to give me strenght!
My dream is to get, sooner or later, a job in NYC and settle down…sometimes it looks sooooo far away.
Take care,
Beba
Well done for sticking with it Beba, the rewards at the end will make you really glad you did and glad the post helped.
Hi Tim,
I do like your collection of motivational quotes… plus your unique slant on them… gives them a little more oomph. Is there such a word?¿?¿
Yes it’s a word… checked it out on Web Word.
My favourite is No 2 “Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure” – George Edward Woodberry.
Only because I’m working on it… really working on it!
Does egg wash off your face?
Yes it does… if you’ve really tried your best… and failed… but only if you’ve tried your best!
For an egg-free life… just go for it!
Vic
Don Miguel Ruiz The Four Agreements – “Always do your best”
“And then I had a sudden revelation; a bag of assorted bagels with one garlic bagel in it is a bag of garlic bagels.”
-Henry Alford
LOL, very wise!
I think the Fields quote resonates the most with me. It is also comparative to many of the great inventors and how many times they failed for a single win.
One of my favourites. It is not short and pity but it is profound.
“More” will read as “More” any time you read it, and hence you never reach it. Hence “Success” is a lifelong quest.
“Enough” will read “Enough” any time you read it, And hence you don’t have to wait another moment to experience it.
Hence “Happiness” is just a matter of realization. Wise are those who aspire of “More than enough”, Realizing that they have “Enough” in the here and now; yet they go after the “More” searching where and how. The is the path to being happily successful and successfully happy. – Mahatria
Mahatria, I love that! Thank you for sharing it!
Yeh me too, and thanks from me to!
Absolutely love the Arnold Bennett quote. Great post. I liked it on stumbleupon. Thanks for sharing.
So what’s your favorite unknown quote? Let us know in the comments!
I like this Tennesee Williams quote, to be taken good naturedly, of course :)
“Friends are God’s way of apologizing for your family”
ha ha ha