W. Clement Stone

When you do the wrong thing, knowing it is wrong, you do so because you haven’t developed the habit of effectively controlling or neutralizing strong inner urges that tempt you, or because you have established the wrong habit and don’t know how to eliminate them effectively.

When we direct our thoughts properly, we can control our emotions…

Try, try, try, and keep on trying is the rule that must be followed to become an expert in anything.

Regardless of who you are or what you have been, you can be what you want to be.

You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success – or are they holding you back?

Your most precious, valued possessions and your greatest powers are invisible and intangible. No one can take them. You, and you alone, can give them. You will receive abundance for your giving.

The triumphs of peace have been in some proximity to war. Whilst the hand was still familiar with the sword-hilt, whilst the habits of the camp were still visible in the port and complexion of the gentleman, his intellectual power culminated; the compression and tension of these stern conditions is a training for the finest and softest arts, and can rarely be compensated in tranquil times, except by some analogous vigor drawn from occupations as hardy as war.

Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labors, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it.

I am not bound over to swear allegiance to any master; where the storm drives me I turn in for shelter.

They are decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all-powerful to be impotent.

Men are wise in proportion, not to their experience, but to their capacity for experience.

All conservatives are such from personal defects. They have been effeminated by position or nature, born halt and blind, through luxury of their parents, and can only, like invalids, act on the defensive.

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.

Being is the great explainer.

The only gift is a portion of thyself.

Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over.

How lovely the little river is, with its dark changing wavelets! It seems to me like a living companion while I wander along the bank, and listen to its low, placid voice…

If you are going through hell, keep going.

Don’t do or say things you would not like to see on the front page of The Washington Post.

Use what language you will, you can never say anything but what you are.

Among all forms of mistake, prophecy is the most gratuitous.