E. Joseph Cossman Quotes

Powerful E. Joseph Cossman for Daily Growth

About E. Joseph Cossman

E. Joseph Cossman (1934-2000) was an American inventor, humorist, and bestselling author, renowned for his whimsical books, games, and puzzles that captured the imagination of millions worldwide. Born on October 7, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York, Cossman's interest in invention and creativity blossomed early, influenced by his father, a mechanical engineer, and his mother, an artist. After serving in the U.S Army during the Korean War, Cossman attended Columbia University, where he earned a degree in industrial design. His career took off after he created the popular 'What's My IQ?' quiz book in 1960, which became an international bestseller and marked the beginning of his prolific authorship. Throughout his life, Cossman produced over 250 books, games, and puzzles, many of which were humorous and thought-provoking, such as 'The World Almanac Treasury of Inventions' (1978) and 'Puzzlemaster's Puzzlepedia' (1990). His works continue to intrigue and entertain generations of readers. Cossman's innovative spirit extended beyond his writing, as he patented numerous inventions, including the Cossman Flip Calendar, which allowed users to flip individual months instead of turning a whole page. He was also an active member of Mensa, the high-IQ society, and served as its president in 1973. E. Joseph Cossman's contributions to literature, humor, and invention have left a lasting impact on popular culture. His work serves as a testament to his unique blend of intelligence, wit, and creativity that continues to inspire and entertain readers today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Luck is when opportunity meets preparation."

This quote by E. Joseph Cossman emphasizes that success, often perceived as luck, is not random or arbitrary but a result of being prepared and seizing opportunities when they present themselves. It suggests that good fortune favors the ready mind - the individual who has equipped themselves with knowledge, skills, and mindset to recognize and act upon the chances that come their way. In essence, it underscores the importance of being prepared and maintaining a proactive approach towards life's opportunities.


"If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it."

This quote suggests that procrastination often makes simple tasks appear more challenging than they actually are. By repeatedly delaying the execution of a task, we may unconsciously inflate its perceived difficulty, ultimately making it seem insurmountable. However, if we take immediate action, tasks that initially appear overwhelming can become manageable and less daunting.


"The secret of life is to appreciate the little things."

This quote emphasizes the importance of finding joy in the small, often overlooked aspects of daily life. It suggests that savoring these moments can add depth and richness to our experiences, making us more mindful and content. By appreciating the little things, we foster a sense of gratitude and fulfillment, which can help alleviate stress and improve our overall well-being.


"Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them."

This quote suggests that often, opportunities for growth, success, or advancement are not easily recognizable as such; rather, they present themselves in the form of challenges, tasks, or situations requiring effort (hard work). Many individuals may overlook these opportunities because they don't immediately appear beneficial or appealing, or because they perceive them as being difficult. However, embracing and putting in the necessary hard work can ultimately reveal the hidden opportunity that was initially disguised.


"Life is short, smile while you still have teeth."

This quote emphasizes the importance of finding joy and positivity in life, even in simple moments. It suggests that time is limited, so we should make an effort to appreciate and enjoy what we have, like our physical abilities (teeth allow us to smile). The smile serves as a symbol for expressing happiness and gratitude, reminding us to cherish the good aspects of life and live with a positive attitude.


Expose yourself to the products and promotions of other manufacturers, and your own field of new ideas will greatly increase.

- E. Joseph Cossman

New, Will, Other, Manufacturers

Do not quit! Hundreds of times I have watched people throw in the towel at the one-yard line while someone else comes along and makes a fortune by just going that extra yard.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Fortune, Yard, Going, Watched

Middle age is when your broad mind and narrow waist begin to change places.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Mind, Places, Middle, Narrow

Many past products advertised in old publications can be profitably promoted all over again. Sometimes, just by giving them a new twist or modern application, you'll hit a real winner.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Past, New, Over, Publications

I believe the classified section of a newspaper - especially the 'Business Opportunities' column - can tell you more about your city 'business-wise' than any other publication.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Business, Newspaper, Other, Publication

Since it is not granted to us to live long, let us transmit to posterity some memorial that we have at least lived.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Some, Let Us, Posterity, Memorial

Your goals should be to have the system work for you instead of your working for the system! Be the hammer - not the nail!

- E. Joseph Cossman

Hammer, System, Nail, Goals

When I returned to the United States after three years of World War II service, my total assets consisted of one wife, one small daughter, $276 in the bank, and an idea. The idea was for an export business to supply items badly needed everywhere in Europe.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Small, United, Badly, Export

The criteria, the only rule you should follow - the only rule - is to never touch a product or service unless, every time it is sold, part of the profit has to come back to you.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Product, Sold, Criteria, Every Time

For products with revision possibilities, there is no better source available than a company going out of business!

- E. Joseph Cossman

Possibilities, Better, Going, Revision

If you try to make money doing something you're not enjoying, it's a hard way to make money.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Money, Doing, Try, Hard Way

'Salaryitis' is when you become so accustomed to that salary that you no longer have the gumption to pull out of the rut and strike out on your own. It destroys the nerve of ambitious, imaginative men, and bowing to it has meant sure defeat for more people than any other sickness, mental or physical.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Sickness, Own, Other, Accustomed

A lot of magic happens when you put out a publicity release. I have launched many products with the money I got back from my publicity release.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Magic, Back, Release, Publicity

Starting in business is like getting married... there is really no good time and no bad time. The time is now.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Business, Bad, Bad Time, Good Time

Making $30,000 on my first business deal was exciting, but not as exciting as the sudden knowledge that I did not have to work for anyone again.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Business, Deal, Making, Sudden

This country is conducive to making money. Once you learn this lesson and make your first deal, you will really appreciate the tools available to you in the United States, the tools that will help you 'boot-strap' yourself into a large income.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Country, Deal, Income, Making Money

If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Memory, Year, Test, Recall

Square meals often make round people.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Square, Often, Make, Round

Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Leadership, Goal, His, Takes

The greatest power is often simple patience.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Patience, Power, Often, Greatest

Drive-in banks were established so most of the cars today could see their real owners.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Car, Established, Banks, Owners

You can have the best product in the world, you can have the best motivation in the world, you can have best education in the world, you can have all the money in the world - but if you don't have direction, you'll never go anywhere.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Education, Product, Go, Motivation

The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Birthday, Remember, Forget, Best Way

Our business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Leadership, Business, Get, Ahead

If you are ready to put a product or service on the market, look at that product or service and see how you can test it inexpensively. Keep in mind, you'll only need one; you don't need 1,000 to get the answer.

- E. Joseph Cossman

Mind, Product, Need, Test

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