John Liu Quotes

Powerful John Liu for Daily Growth

About John Liu

John Liu (1956-present) is an acclaimed Chinese-American novelist, screenwriter, and poet, renowned for his poignant storytelling that weaves Eastern wisdom with Western culture. Born in Shanghai, China, Liu immigrated to the United States as a child, settling in New York City where he developed a passion for literature and the arts. Liu's formative years were significantly influenced by his cultural duality, which emerged as a recurring theme in his works. He attended Cornell University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. Upon graduation, Liu embarked on a successful career in advertising before dedicating himself full-time to writing. Liu's literary debut, "The Seventh Woman" (1985), was a groundbreaking novel that delved into the complexities of identity, love, and loss. The book won critical acclaim and established Liu as a prominent figure in Asian American literature. His subsequent works, such as "City of Beasts" (1992) and "Ghost Month" (1995), continued to explore cultural fusion and spirituality. In 2003, Liu ventured into screenwriting with the film adaptation of "The Seventh Woman," which was nominated for several awards. His screenplay for "The Painted Veil" (2006) further solidified his reputation as a master storyteller. Throughout his career, Liu has been recognized with numerous honors and awards, including the Asian American Literary Award, the O. Henry Prize, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. His works have been translated into multiple languages, and he continues to captivate readers around the world with his profound insights into human nature and the human condition. Today, John Liu remains an influential figure in contemporary literature, bridging cultural divides and inspiring a new generation of writers. His body of work serves as a testament to the power of storytelling in connecting people across borders.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The future is not something we enter. The future is something we create."

This quote suggests that our actions today shape the world of tomorrow. Rather than passively waiting for the future to arrive, we have the power to actively contribute to its creation through our decisions, choices, and actions. It encourages a proactive, solution-oriented mindset, implying that each individual has the potential to influence the direction of society and the course of history.


"To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart."

This quote by John Liu emphasizes the importance of emotional investment and genuine passion for one's work or business. To achieve success, it is crucial not only to prioritize your professional endeavors but also to genuinely care about them on a personal level. When you deeply connect with your business, you are more likely to persist through challenges, take calculated risks, and innovate, thereby increasing the likelihood of achieving success. In other words, when your heart is in it, you invest more than just time and resources; you also pour in dedication, enthusiasm, and personal growth - all key ingredients for business success.


"Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome."

This quote emphasizes that success is not solely about reaching a specific end goal, but rather it's about the process, the actions, and experiences gained along the way. It suggests that the personal growth, skills developed, and relationships formed during the journey towards success are just as important, if not more so, than achieving the ultimate objective. Essentially, the quote encourages individuals to focus on the process of becoming successful rather than solely fixating on the final outcome.


"Believe in yourself and take on your challenges. Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man, but sometimes to the one who believes he can make a difference."

This quote emphasizes self-confidence and perseverance, suggesting that success is not solely determined by physical strength or speed, but rather by one's belief in their ability to achieve their goals despite challenges. It underscores the importance of self-belief in overcoming obstacles and achieving victories in life, even when faced with adversity. The quote encourages individuals to take on their challenges with conviction, understanding that they have the power within themselves to make a difference.


"Don't wait for opportunity, create it."

This quote by John Liu encourages proactivity rather than passivity in one's pursuit of opportunities. It suggests that instead of waiting for chances to come our way, we should take the initiative and actively create our own opportunities, thereby taking control of our own destiny. Essentially, it's a call to action, urging people to seize their aspirations with their own hands and make things happen.


I would encourage more development in the boroughs outside of Manhattan as well. I think it's great that this natural emergence has occurred in the lower part of Midtown, but there's tremendous potential in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island as well.

- John Liu

I Think, Part, Tremendous, Manhattan

I try to motivate people and align our individual incentives with organizational incentives. And then let people do their best.

- John Liu

Incentives, Organizational, Motivate

I cannot reconcile monitoring certain people for no reason other than their religion with the freedom of religion we have here in America.

- John Liu

Reason, Here, Other, Reconcile

I have had the privilege of serving as city comptroller, and I lead 750 professionals in the office, have appointed eight deputy comptrollers... no one has criticized my management of these 750 professionals.

- John Liu

City, Deputy, Professionals, Serving

There is a diversity of thought and philosophy, diversity of languages and dialects, diversity of political spectrum, and there's a diversity of taste for food. I don't label or characterize Jews in any way.

- John Liu

Thought, Languages, Dialects, Philosophy

I have never run campaigns based on an ethnic coalition.

- John Liu

Never, Ethnic, Based, Campaigns

It is my hope that by reducing the tax burden on small business owners that we can help them grow their businesses and, in doing so, create jobs.

- John Liu

Small, Grow, Doing, Reducing

I really think people understand that in New York City we have high taxes.

- John Liu

City, Think, New, New York City

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