Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,161,747 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
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Success and failure
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“Oh, youth, go forth and do! You, too, to fame may rise; You can be strong and wise. Stand up to life and play the man — You can if you'll but think you can; The great were once as you. You envy them their proud success? 'Twas won with gifts that you possess.”
Edgar Guest (1881–1959) said by 1959 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I felt I had I worked hard enough and I felt confident I had done the right kind of work and the right amount of work. But when you talk of preparations, the measure of success is whether it works or not. In that area, I failed completely. I did not stay the course. When you hit the right spot, the sweet spot, it feels great and you feel the preparations have been ideal, but I never got there.”
Viswanathan Anand (born 1969) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I learned that Cézanne's success was not preventing the Neo-Impressionists from getting support. My knowledge of their technique was entirely literary.”
Jean Metzinger (1883–1956) said by 1956 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Learning the long lines and delivering them in one take was a nightmare, but Rameshji helped me as also the fact that I have a good memory. It is only when you become successful that you realize how everything contributes to your success.”
Hema Malini (born 1948) first seen 1978 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On her delivery of long dialogue In the film Sholay, page 1978
“My family gives me enough security and warmth. I don’t have to look for it outside! After achieving so much success and fame I’m apprehensive about people’s motives. I want to be sure that people want to be friends with me and not my fame!”
Madhuri Dixit (born 1967) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I believe as a society we have to evolve, through experimentation, a system which combines the principles of individual freedom and common ownership. And this is what we have tried, basically with success, in all our projects, involving leprosy patients, tribal people and the so-called 'disabled' persons.”
Baba Amte (1914–2008) said by 2008 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It would be, however, a fatal mistake to establish an expensive system of education on the model of the advanced countries which would have little relevance to local needs and would be beyond the means of the national economy. It is necessary to evolve a system, through experimentation and trial and success, which would be within the means of the national economy.”
Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (1893–1972) said by 1972 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Ever since I embraced Sufism, I have learnt to separate myself from my desires and my success. Now, I can distance myself from all the adulation showered on me.”
A. R. Rahman (born 1966) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In my case, dust has become gold: Today, I work with people I grew up admiring. But, internally, I am the same person I always was. Ever since I embraced Sufism, I have learnt to separate myself from my desires and my success. Now, I can distance myself from all the adulation showered on me.”
A. R. Rahman (born 1966) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“At the end of the day, don’t forget that you are a person, don’t forget you are a mother, don’t forget you are a wife, don’t forget you are a daughter. Because in the end, no matter how much money you make and how much success you create, What you are left is family, friends and faith.”
Indra Nooyi (born 1955) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“...not just cricket, but the success of athletes in other sports have helped India become a sporting nation.”
Anil Kumble (born 1970) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For years, we thought we are a sporting nation but we had little to show. In the last decade, India's sporting success has changed all that.”
Anil Kumble (born 1970) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Microfinance is the best example of success in the kinds of systemic institutional areas.”
Ela Bhatt (1933–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What we really are looking for is self reliance and that is how we should measure success. I don’t much like the word empowerment, but self-reliance is the foundation of SEWA’s approach,.”
Ela Bhatt (1933–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is normal that I have done something significant and so have other artists. I have taken my work in such a way that it has been a success. But that is not the only thing which matters you see...it's the work which matters.”
S. H. Raza (1922–2016) said by 2016 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Success or achievement is not the final goal. It is the 'spirit' in which you act that puts the seal of beauty upon your life.”
Chinmayananda Saraswati (1916–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The success is not in the trophy won but in the race run ...”
Chinmayananda Saraswati (1916–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The only true man is one who practices ‘humanism.’ (…) this is the only way to success in life.”
Haidakhan Babaji (2000–1984) said by 1984 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Every person who seeks to practise agriculture with the full success which it admits—and that is the natural aim of every one who engages in it—must possess energy, activity, reflection, perseverance, and a knowledge of all the kindred and accessory sciences.”
Albrecht Thaer (1752–1828) said by 1828 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Success doesn't mean you're allowed to work less and treat people like shit.”
Jennifer Lawrence (born 1990) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Free inquiry requires that we tolerate diversity of opinion and that we respect the right of individuals to express their beliefs, however unpopular they may be, without social or legal prohibition or fear of success.”
Paul Kurtz (1925–2012) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Paul Kurtz (1983) In defense of secular humanism, p. 16
“Renoir is a great success on the Salon; I think he is 'launched'. All the better! It's a very hard life, being poor.”
Camille Pissarro (1830–1903) first seen 1879 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: letter to Mr. Murer, 27th May 1879, as quoted in Renoir – his life and work Francois Fosca, Book Club Associates /Thames and Hudson Ltd, London 1975, p. 129
“To the as to the Arabs, a sleek, well-fed appearance was something to be proud of, a proof of prosperity and success. It was assumed that any man who could afford to would "do himself well." A thin man was either unhealthy or poor—both of which were crimes in the 1870s.”
Alec Waugh (1898–1981) said by 1981 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Science makes no pretension to eternal truth or absolute truth; some of its rivals do. That science is in some respects inhuman may be the secret of its success in alleviating human misery and mitigating human stupidity.”
Eric Temple Bell (1883–1960) said by 1960 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Here's the formula for Obama's success: "They work, and you eat.”
Dinesh D'Souza (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My wildest dream was to have this kind of success – to pack a stadium, to walk out on a stage and look at the crowd, knowing that they came to see me. What a wonderful turn my life had taken. After so much unhappiness, after thinking that love of any kind would never be a part of my story, love was all around me.”
Tina Turner (1939–2023) said by 2023 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The fruits of economic success could turn sour unless we can bring back greater social cohesion to our country.”
Douglas Hurd (born 1930) first seen 1988 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech in Tamworth celebrating the bicentenary of Sir Robert Peel's birth (5 February 1988), quoted in The Times (6 February 1988), p. 4
“No one ever squared the circle with so much genius, or, excepting his principal object, with so much success.”
Jean-Étienne Montucla (1725–1799) said by 1799 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Attributed to Montucla in Augustus De Morgan, A Budget of Paradoxes, (London, 1872), p. 96; Cited in: Robert Edouard Moritz. Memorabilia mathematica; or, The philomath's quotation-book, (1914) p. 366
“That abolition of the privy purse will strengthen and ensure success of democracy is pure bunkum. Advanced countries like Britain and Japan are not less democratic or less progressive for the maintenance of their kings and princes. Royalty was not abolished even by socialist parties when they came to power in these countries.”
Charan Singh (1902–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have undertaken to say a few words to you on the "Art of Questioning". It is a subject of great importance to all of you who desire to become good teachers ; for, in truth, the success and efficiency of our teaching depend more on the skill and judgment with which we put questions than on any other single circumstance.”
Joshua Girling Fitch (1824–1903) first seen 1879 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Joshua G. Fitch. The art of questioning. 9th edition. Published 1879. pp. 78
“Without fear or favour whatever successes I have been able to make of my life, I owe to the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi who could make man out of dust. I was greatly inspired in my youth by a remark Jawaharlal Nehru had made, ‘Success comes to those that dare and act...’ In fact this remark was my motto in life.”
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1913–1996) first seen 1989 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: in 1989 - towards the end of his Presidential term
“Success doesn't change you; fame does.”
Whitney Houston (1963–2012) said by 2012 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Our test asked a focused question and the astrologers could not point toward any ambiguity in interpretation. We told the astrologers that the real predictive success could be claimed only at the 70% level for their sample size. The test demonstrated the hollowness of the basic claim of astrology.”
Jayant Narlikar (1938–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My own criterion of success is the ability to work joyfully and to live positively.”
A. S. Neill (1883–1973) said by 1973 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It was funny. I knew I didn't want the bomb to be a success. But yet I'd spent so many years working around physics labs that I couldn't stand not to do it right.”
Rudy Rucker (born 1946) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But while in these first years the prospects of success are apt to seem remote and high hopes seem doomed to frustration, the worst thing to do is to eat one's heart out in idleness. There are many occupations which can be devised to improve one's fitness to profit by the chance when it does come.”
Hugh Macmillan, Baron Macmillan (1873–1952) said by 1952 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Nothing is more fatal to success at the Parliamentary Bar than to attempt to suppress or misrepresent any point, for if the Committees lose confidence in a counsel's fairness the Parliamentary agents will soon desert him.”
Hugh Macmillan, Baron Macmillan (1873–1952) said by 1952 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We found that success in each case depended largely on enlisting the services of an efficient and enthusiatic local organiser, director, or warden, and many of our grants took the form of paying the salary of such leaders. The results were seldom disappointing. The reports which we regularly received showed how responsive the people were to sympathy and practical help, and we felt amply rewarded.”
Hugh Macmillan, Baron Macmillan (1873–1952) said by 1952 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I hope your patriotic exertions, of which this is by no means the first, will be productive in time of the success they merit; but am afraid that the vices of government, which "infect to the north star," are inimical, at present, to every species of reformation.”
Joseph Ritson (1752–1803) said by 1803 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Scotland's long-term prosperity does not depend solely - or even predominantly - on oil and gas. It will also be based on our success in the other industries of the future - sectors such as renewable energy and the life sciences, where we are already a major European player.”
Alex Salmond (1954–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We have pushed hard to ensure that the UK negotiating line takes full account of Scotland's circumstances - and we will continue to do so. But we have no guarantee of success. Nor can we be sure that Scottish interests will not fall victim to trade-offs that the UK Government has to make at the Brussels negotiating table. Independence would remove that uncertainty at a stroke.”
Alex Salmond (1954–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Gaelic is not a regional language - it is a truly nationwide language. And the future success of Gaelic depends on attracting new speakers to the language here as much as its does on fostering Gaelic in its traditional heartland.”
Alex Salmond (1954–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Gaelic language and culture is inseparable from the future success of the Scottish economy.”
Alex Salmond (1954–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As the world becomes increasingly inter-linked and competitive, we know that our future economic success and prosperity will be predicated upon the strength of our human capital, and our ability to forge and to sustain competitive advantage.”
Alex Salmond (1954–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Our flawed mechanisms of perception and thought are not a cause for grief, but an opportunity to evolve, for an internal evolution of consciousness that will also make possible, in a sustainable form, our aspirations toward what we call individual success and global progress.”
B. K. S. Iyengar (1918–2014) said by 2014 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I've had marvelous and incredible luck, and devoted parents, sisters, friends, and teachers. What more can one ask? These things contribute enormously. Probably the major part of one's success is due to these factors.”
Yehudi Menuhin (1916–1999) first seen 1997 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As stated in his interview with Martyn Lewis in Lewis' book, Reflections on Success (1997)
“Meritocratic hubris reflects the tendency of winners to inhale too deeply of their success, to forget the luck and good fortune that helped them on their way. It is the smug conviction of those who land on top that they deserve their fate, and that those on the bottom deserve theirs, too. This attitude is the moral companion of technocratic politics.”
Michael Sandel (born 1953) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Reproducing sexually must improve an individual’s reproductive success or else sex would not persist. It is increasingly hard to understand how human beings came to be so clever without considering sexual competition.”
Matt Ridley (born 1958) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“One of the peculiar features of history is that time always erodes advantage. Every invention sooner or later leads to a counterinvention. Every success contains the seeds of its own overthrow. Every hegemony comes to an end. Evolutionary history is no different.”
Matt Ridley (born 1958) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Breeding, in sexual species, consists of finding an appropriate partner and persuading it to part with a package of genes. This goal is so central to life that it has influenced the design not only of the body but of the psyche. Simply put, anything that increases reproductive success will spread at the expense of anything that does not—even if it threatens survival.”
Matt Ridley (born 1958) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source