Man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe, grows beyond his work, walks up the stairs of his concepts, emerges ahead of his accomplishments.

Plant the seed of desire in your mind and it forms a nucleus with power to attract to itself everything needed for its fulfillment.

If people knew how hard worked to achieve my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all.

Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease to exist at death.

For what it’s worth: It’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.

I have a deeply hidden and inarticulate desire for something beyond the daily life.

If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes.

We do not do what we want and yet we are responsible for what we are—that is a fact.

We are the creative force of our life, and through our own decisions rather than our conditions, if we carefully learn to do things, we can accomplish those goals.

The heights by great men reached and kept Where not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night.

The way you habitually think will determine your destiny.

The spirit of self-help is the root of all genuine growth in the individual; and, exhibited in the lives of many, it continues the true source of national vigor and strength. Help from without is often enfeebling in its effects, but help from within invariably invigorates.

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he as imagined, he will meet with success unexpectedly in common hours.

This is the thing that I was born to do.

Most people die with their music still locked up inside them.

You will find rest from vain fancies if you perform every act in life as though it were your last.

If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

The change in motion is proportional to the motive force impressed; and is made in the direction of the right line in which that force is impressed.

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to allow his vision wherever it takes him.

It’s not when you realize that nothing can help you—religion, pride, anything—it’s when you realize that you don’t need any aid.

Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass.

Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.

Who works with all the strength he can Shall never die in debt to man.

I did not seek greatness. I only sought to fulfill my duties.

There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, there are no limits.