Harold Simmons Quotes

Powerful Harold Simmons for Daily Growth

About Harold Simmons

Harold Simmons (1930-2013) was an influential American businessman, investor, philanthropist, and conservative political activist. Born on March 14, 1930, in Dallas, Texas, to a Jewish family, he would later become one of the most significant figures in the waste management industry. After serving in the United States Army, Simmons graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in electrical engineering. He began his career as an engineer for Texas Instruments but soon found his passion in the waste management business, which he entered in 1956 by purchasing a small trash collection company, Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI). Under Simmons' leadership, BFI expanded rapidly, becoming one of the largest waste management companies in the world. Simmons' business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit were hallmarks of his career, but he was also known for his conservative political activism. He was a significant donor to various Republican campaigns and organizations, including the Club for Growth and the Heritage Foundation. Despite his success in business and politics, Simmons remained humble and dedicated to his community. He founded the Harold Simmons Foundation, which has provided millions of dollars in funding for educational, medical, and cultural initiatives in Texas. Some of Simmons' major works include "The Trash King: A Biography of Harold C. Simmons" by John L. Nau III and "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place: Harold Simmons, the Waste Management Industry, and American Politics" by Donald G. McNeil Jr. Harold Simmons passed away on November 30, 2013, leaving behind a legacy of business innovation, political activism, and philanthropy. His story serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs, conservatives, and those seeking to make a meaningful impact on their communities.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

This quote emphasizes the resilience required for achieving success in life. Failure does not equate to defeat; it's simply a setback or learning experience. The true test of character lies in the determination to persevere and keep trying, even in the face of obstacles or disappointments. It highlights that courage - the ability to carry on despite adversity - is what truly counts when striving for success.


"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new."

This quote suggests that instead of wasting time and resources resisting or trying to undo the past, it's more productive to invest in creating something new. The key to change lies in constructively channeling one's energy towards building and shaping a desired future, rather than getting bogged down by the limitations and challenges of the present or past.


"A pessimist sees a difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees an opportunity in every difficulty."

This quote underscores the importance of perspective and attitude in approaching challenges or opportunities. A pessimist tends to focus on obstacles and difficulties, while an optimist looks for potential benefits and possibilities within these same situations. In other words, while a pessimist may view an opportunity as fraught with problems, an optimist sees the problems within that opportunity as chances to learn, grow, or find success. The quote encourages readers to adopt a more positive, solution-oriented mindset in order to make the most of any situation.


"Success is not what you have, but who you are."

This quote by Harold Simmons underscores the idea that true success isn't rooted in material possessions or external achievements, but rather in one's character and personal development. It suggests that a person's inner qualities – integrity, empathy, resilience, wisdom, and compassion – are far more important in defining success than wealth, status, or power. The implication is that a successful life, as defined by Simmons, is the one where a person has cultivated these positive traits and used them to make a meaningful impact on their own lives, the lives of others, and the world at large.


"The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude."

This quote emphasizes the profound impact an individual's mindset or attitude can have on their life trajectory. It suggests that one has the power to shape their own destiny not only through actions but also through adopting a positive, proactive, and resilient approach towards challenges and opportunities. Essentially, it asserts that by changing our perspective and attitude, we can alter the course of our lives for the better.


I definitely have a shareholders' perspective. I'm not doing that altruistically. I'm doing that because it's in my own self interest to do it. I think that's good for my other shareholders because they go along with me: If I do well for myself, then they do well for themselves.

- Harold Simmons

Doing, Other, I Think, Shareholders

I'm not trying to change an image, I'm just trying to make sure that the facts match the image. The facts are basically that I'm a builder. I have not dissembled any company nor split up any companies, nor do I ever buy any companies with that intent.

- Harold Simmons

Change, Image, Sure, Builder

You never talk about what you want when giving money. I don't pay attention to what other people think... There shouldn't be restrictions of any kind on political contributions.

- Harold Simmons

Think, Pay Attention, Other, Contributions

Money brings a lot of responsibility as to what you're going to do with it, and I've given quite a bit of thought to that.

- Harold Simmons

Lot, Given, Brings, Quite A Bit

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