# Favorite motivational quotes **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 11, 2003, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937 "2003-09-11T07:19:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Colinmarshall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Colinmarshall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colinmarshall)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/1 "2003-09-11T07:19:04Z")
I can’t get enough quotations. To me they’re like addictive candy. Sure, they’re fun and all, but frequently insubstantial and they just leave you wanting more. Nevertheless, they seem to give myself and others quite a bit of enjoyment. What are some of your guys’ favorite motivational quotes? (Quotes that weren’t originally intended to motivate but motivate _you_ all the same are encouraged.) Some selections from my collection: “It seems to me that most people have vast potential. Most people can do extraordinary things if they have the confidence or take the risks. Yet most people don’t. They sit in front of the telly and treat life as if it goes on forever.” - Philip Adams “Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with ever new assignment.” - Baltasar Gracian “Whenever I hear ‘It can’t be done,’ I know I’m close to success.” - Michael Flatley “That’s my philosophy: a $10 shine on a $2 pair of boots.” - John Winger (Bill Murray), _Stripes_ ---
**Author:** ![commie\_sho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@commie\_sho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commie_sho)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/2 "2003-09-11T07:21:39Z")
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” - Thomas A. Edison ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/3 "2003-09-11T07:25:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Colinmarshall \* > \*\*“It seems to me that most people have vast potential. Most people can do extraordinary things if they have the confidence or take the risks. Yet most people don’t. They sit in front of the telly and treat life as if it goes on forever.” - Philip Adams > \*\* I like that one! My favorite is by Hannibal: In essence, he said, “We will find a way, or we will make one!” 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/4 "2003-09-11T07:57:39Z")
“Do…or do not. There is no try” _Yoda_ “Luck is the residue of design” _Branch Rickey_, professional baseball manager ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/5 "2003-09-11T08:06:37Z")
“Hard work often pays off after time, but laziness always pays off now.” “Mediocrity: It takes a lot less time and most people won’t notice the difference until it’s too late.” “If you can’t learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly.” “The harder you try, the dumber you look.” “When you earnestly believe that you can compensate for lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there’s no end to what you can’t do.” “The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying relationships is you.” 😃 These and other gems brought to you by the [Demotivators](http://www.demotivators.com/indem.html) website. ---
**Author:** ![dinoboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@dinoboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dinoboy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/6 "2003-09-11T13:38:38Z")
I love that site **mhendo** _wiping tears of laughter away from eyes_, I wasted ten minutes there… Is time enjoyed really ‘wasted’? explain THAT to my boss. These have always been some of my favorites: “It is awfully hard work doing nothing” – Oscar Wilde “Contemplation is the highest form of activity” – Aristotle “Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof” – unknown (read off of a flyer in a police station) ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/7 "2003-09-11T14:28:45Z")
“With great power comes great responsibility” – Ben Parker ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/8 "2003-09-11T14:41:02Z")
I like these: “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to the end, requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson - Mile by mile, life’s a trial. Yard by yard, life is hard. Inch by inch, life’s a cinch. The end is in the beginning. Nevertheless, we go on. Walk as far as you can see to walk in the light you are given, & when you have reached what you thought was the end, more light will shine on your path. Quaker saying You can lead a horse to water but a pencil must be lead. (Well, the last one may not be very motivational…) ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/9 "2003-09-11T15:00:03Z")
Get your ass off the couch and go cut the damn grass. -Robert L. Tyson (my dad) ---
**Author:** ![green\_dragon\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/13edae/32.png) [@green\_dragon\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_dragon_1)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/10 "2003-09-11T16:12:52Z")
Like an iceberg, the greater part of yourself is under the surface, control your mind and your emotions and the is NOTHING you cannot overcome - never give up, and if you fall down get back on your feet; just keep on going! Martial arts teacher Check out this motivational/inspirational form on this martial arts message board: [http://www.geoffthompson.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=3](http://www.geoffthompson.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=3) ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/11 "2003-09-11T17:51:44Z")
“You’ve got to jump off cliffs all the time – and build your wings on the way down.” —Ray Bradbury “There are no passengers on spaceship Earth. Everybody’s crew.” —R. Buckminster Fuller “Destiny is not a mattter of chance, it is a matter of choice.” —William Jennings Bryan “Most of us will never do great things, but we can do small things in a great way.” —James F. Clarke “Isn’t it strange that princes and kings And clowns that caper in sawdust rings And ordinary folks like you and me Are builders of eternity? To each is given a bag of tools, An hourglass and a book of rules, And each must build, ere his life is flown, A stumbling block or a stepping stone.” —Author unknown A recent addition: “You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” —Robin Williams ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/12 "2003-09-11T21:20:21Z")
“What the hell are you doing in the bathroom all day and night? Why don’t you get out of there and give someone else a chance?” - Igor’s Dad ---
**Author:** ![gscotb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b77776/32.png) [@gscotb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gscotb)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/13 "2003-09-11T21:47:26Z")
I heard this one from Eric Michael Dyson: God loves you just the way you are, but He doesn’t want you to stay that way. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/14 "2003-09-11T21:55:35Z")
I love quotes too! Some are motivational, others are the de-motivational and the rest a just fun, fun, fun! **Motivators;** \*\*The value of an experiment is not determined on how much it costs. It is determined on how much you learn. \*\* ( Mort Crim. (Detroit news anchor and motivational speaker.) \*\*To dream of the person you would like to be is a waste of the person you are. \*\* (Unknown) \*\*If you can solve your problem then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?\*\* Shatideva. **The way to change others’ minds is with affection, and not anger.** Dali Lama \*\*When we focus on solving the problem we avoid placing blame. \*\* \*\*We are all pilgrims on the same journey, but some pilgrims have better road maps. \*\* Nelson DeMille **Success isn’t what you acheive, it is what you overcome.** \*\*You can get by on charm for about 15 minutes, after that, you better know something. \*\* H. Jackson Brown. _The difference between \* involvement and \* commitment_ is like an egg and ham breakfast. The chicken was _involved_, the ham was _committed_ Anonymous. **Until you have courage to lose sight of the shore you will not know the terro of being forever lost at sea.** \*\*Your role my be thankless, but if you’re willing to give it your all, you just might bring success to those you outlast you. \*\* **When you have absolutely no other basis on which to base an argument, abuse the plantiff.** Cicero \*\*If you have your life to live over again, you’d need more money. \*\* \*\*De-Motivators: \*\* \*\*If you are not a part of the solution, there’s good money to be made in prolonging the problem. \*\* \*\*The best leaders inspire by example. When that is not an option, brute intimidation works pretty well, too.\*\* **If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error.** ( John Kenneth Galbraith.) **One good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others.** \*\*It is easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission. \*\* **I’m living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart** e e cummings \*\* _Shirley-ism_\*\* \*\*Hard work, determination, education, networking will never get one as far in life as dumb luck, sheer stupidity and blinding ignorance. Bullshit done well is a compliment. Bullshit done poorly remains bullshit. \*\* \*\*Indecision is the key to flexibilty. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/15 "2003-09-11T22:08:33Z")
I forget where I read it, but the phrase, “ **If it’s to be, it’s up to me** ” has always stuck. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/16 "2003-09-12T13:16:07Z")
“The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.” ---
**Author:** ![OldBroad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@OldBroad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldBroad)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/17 "2003-09-12T13:53:26Z")
I don’t know the source of this one but it has been helpful when I’ve needed to be reminded me to set my ego aside: _ **"Failure is not an option. It is a privilege reserved only for those who try."** _ I also love the demotivators. I posted a few in my office in the days when “motivation” was running amok. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/18 "2003-09-12T14:30:11Z")
My favorites come from [here](http://www.despair.com/index.html). My current favorite? [This one.](http://www.despair.com/motivation.html) ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/19 "2003-09-12T14:42:53Z")
When everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don’t have film. I intend to live forever - so far, so good. Eagles may soar, but weasels don’rt get sucked into jet engines. Honk if you love peace + quiet Remember, half the poeple you know are below average The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard ---
**Author:** ![bradministrator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a698b9/32.png) [@bradministrator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bradministrator)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937/20 "2003-09-12T14:56:37Z")
“It’s not that I’m lazy, it’s that I just don’t care.” - Peter Gibbons [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-motivational-quotes/200937.md?page=2)