The Quotation IndexThe trusted reference for quotations and the sources behind them
Tag Tag Initiative
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.
W. H. Murray The Scottish Himalayan Expedition · 1951

Quotes

“Who will let you? That’s not the point. The point is, who will stop me?”

Ayn Rand · The Fountainhead, 1943 · Primary source

“God helps them that help themselves.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.”

Thomas Jefferson · Letter to Thomas Jefferson Smith, 1825 · Primary source

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”

Alan Kay · Learning vs. Teaching with Educational Technologies, 1983 · Primary source

“In the end self-confidence mostly comes from a gut-level realization that nobody has ever died from making a wrong business decision, or taking inappropriate action, or being overruled. And everyone in your operation should be made to understand this.”

Andrew S. Grove · High Output Management, 1983 · Primary source

“Drive thy business, or it will drive thee.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Have you something to do tomorrow; do it today.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“If you’d have a servant that you like, serve yourself.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“If you have time don’t wait for time.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The bird that sits, is easily shot.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“It is better to be making the news than taking it; to be an actor rather than a critic.”

Winston Churchill · The Story of the Malakand Field Force, 1898 · Primary source

“There is always room for a man of force, and he makes room for many.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Power, 1860 · Primary source

“No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land.”

Helen Keller · Optimism, 1903 · Primary source

“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”

Thomas Jefferson · Letter to Thomas Jefferson Smith, 1825 · Primary source

“It is better to attack with a small force at once, and attain surprise, than it is to wait and lose it.”

George S. Patton · War As I Knew It, 1947 · Primary source

“I still adhered to my theory, that in order to keep the Germans from attacking, we had to attack.”

George S. Patton · War As I Knew It, 1947 · Primary source

“Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn’t be done.”

Amelia Earhart · No reliable source

“The most effective way to do it is to do it.”

Amelia Earhart · No reliable source

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

Thomas Edison · No reliable source

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · No reliable source

Related Tags

Self-reliance 49 Decision-making 35 Independence 29 Responsibility 27 Action 23 Time 20 Persistence 19 Discipline 19 Self-discipline 19 Curiosity 19 Effort 18 Commitment 17 Achievement 15 Opportunity 15 Diligence 15 Nonconformity 14 Execution 13 Preparation 13 Individuality 13 Technological change 12 Agency 10 Criticism 10 Procrastination 9 Adaptability 9 Leadership 9 Influence 9 Originality 9 Optimism 9 Time management 8 Possibility 6 Hard work 6 Capability 6 Discovery 6 Organisational culture 5 Exploration 5 Practical wisdom 5 Defiance 4 Vulnerability 4 Speed 4 Management 3 Standards 3 Offensive action 3 Battle of the Bulge 3 Decision 2 Creation 2 Scepticism 2 Decisiveness 2 Self-confidence 2 Self-determination 2 Providence 2 Work ethic 2 Surprise 2 Operational tempo 2 Practical effort 1 Risk-taking 1 Organisation 1 Workload 1 Inactivity 1 Self-preservation 1 Participation 1 Future-making 1 Pressure 1