Orison Swett Marden Quotes

Powerful Orison Swett Marden for Daily Growth

About Orison Swett Marden

Orison Swett Marden (1850-1924), an American author and motivational writer, was born on March 27, 1850, in Portland, Maine. His childhood was marked by poverty and loss, as his father passed away when he was just six years old, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings alone. Despite these hardships, Marden developed a strong work ethic and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Influenced by transcendentalist philosophy and the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Marden began writing articles on self-improvement and success. His first book, "Pushing to the Front" (1892), was a collection of these articles and became an instant success. It delved into topics such as self-reliance, positive thinking, and the power of individual will. Marden's most famous work, "The Ideal Way" (1903), further cemented his reputation as a leading motivational author. This book emphasized the importance of spiritual growth, mental discipline, and personal responsibility in achieving success. It was followed by other influential works like "Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World" (1906) and "The Dynamic Faith" (1914). Marden's ideas were ahead of his time and greatly influenced the New Thought movement, a spiritual and religious movement that emphasized the power of positive thinking and self-healing. He passed away on August 20, 1924, leaving behind a legacy of inspiring works that continue to motivate and influence readers today. His quotes, such as "Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you become," remain timeless and relevant in the realm of personal development and self-improvement.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you become."

This quote suggests that our aspirations or goals significantly influence who we become. By setting high, ambitious dreams, we stimulate personal growth, inspire ourselves, and are more likely to achieve those dreams. The process of pursuing lofty dreams shapes our character, skills, and mindset, effectively transforming us into the individuals capable of realizing them.

"Believe in yourself and all that you are. Go forward and give everything you have to your endeavors; leave nothing in reserve for doubt or fear."

This quote by Orison Swett Marden encourages individuals to embrace self-belief, put their maximum effort into their pursuits, and avoid holding anything back due to self-doubt or fear. Essentially, it suggests that one should be fully committed to their endeavors, trusting in themselves and their abilities, with the confidence to take risks and seize opportunities without hesitation.

"Success is not what one attains, it is what one is."

This quote by Orison Swett Marden suggests that true success is not about achieving external goals or accolades, but rather about embodying certain qualities and characteristics within oneself – like resilience, integrity, courage, and compassion. The focus should be on personal growth and becoming the best version of oneself, as this intrinsic transformation leads to a fulfilling life experience, regardless of external outcomes.

"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."

This quote emphasizes that our self-doubt and uncertainty in the present can hinder our ability to achieve our potential future goals or aspirations. It suggests that if we are able to overcome doubt, believe in ourselves, and take action, there is no limit to what we can achieve tomorrow. Essentially, it's a call to embrace confidence and self-belief as a means of unlocking our full potential.

"A strong, definite mind conquers the world."

This quote emphasizes the power of a determined and focused mind in overcoming challenges and achieving success. It suggests that possessing a clear vision, resilience, and unwavering commitment to one's goals can help one conquer obstacles and ultimately rule or dominate their chosen world, whether it be personal, professional, or any aspect of life. The strength and decisiveness of the mind are seen as key drivers in unlocking one's true potential.

There can be no failure to a man who has not lost his courage, his character, his self respect, or his self-confidence. He is still a King.

- Orison Swett Marden

Self-Confidence, King, Still, Failure

The man who practises unselfishness, who is genuinely interested in the welfare of others, who feels it a privilege to have the power to do a fellow-creature a kindness - even though polished manners and a gracious presence may be absent - will be an elevating influence wherever he goes.

- Orison Swett Marden

Feels, Genuinely, Elevating, Though

Live in the very soul of expectation of better things, in the conviction that something large, grand, and beautiful will await you if your efforts are intelligent, if your mind is kept in a creative condition and you struggle upward to your goal.

- Orison Swett Marden

Soul, Expectation, Very, Upward

Whatever you do, don't discourage your dreaming propensity. Your heart's desires are not empty vaporings. They foreshadow possible realities. Man was made to aspire, to look upward.

- Orison Swett Marden

Dreaming, Desires, Made, Upward

Everybody is struggling for the good things of the world, and all the arguments to prove that they are not desirable are worse than wasted.

- Orison Swett Marden

Prove, Everybody, Desirable, Argument

Do not waste time dreaming of great faraway opportunities; do the best you can where you are. Open your petals of power and beauty and fling out the fragrance of your life in the place that has been assigned to you.

- Orison Swett Marden

Waste, Dreaming, Been, Place

Sweeter than the perfume of roses is a reputation for a kind, charitable, unselfish nature; a ready disposition to do to others any good turn in your power.

- Orison Swett Marden

Nature, Kind, Sweeter, Disposition

Many a man owes his advancement very largely to his ability to converse well. The ability to interest people in your conversation, to hold them, is a great power.

- Orison Swett Marden

Very, Them, Owes, Great Power

The true doctrine is that labor - systematic, effective, congenial labor - is not only a necessity, but is the source of the highest enjoyment.

- Orison Swett Marden

True, Enjoyment, Effective, Congenial

Unless generosity of spirit prevails among men, there can never be upon earth an ideal life.

- Orison Swett Marden

Never, Ideal, Prevails, Generosity

The golden rule for every business man is this: 'Put yourself in your customer's place.'

- Orison Swett Marden

Business, Rule, Your, Golden

If you are ambitious to talk well, you must be as much as possible in the society of well-bred, cultured people. If you seclude yourself, though you are a college graduate, you will be a poor converser.

- Orison Swett Marden

College, Will, Though, Cultured

There is inestimable blessing in a cheerful spirit. When the soul throws its windows wide open, letting in the sunshine, and presenting to all who see it the evidence of its gladness, it is not only happy, but it has an unspeakable power of doing good.

- Orison Swett Marden

Sunshine, Doing, Evidence, Throws

What power can poverty have over a home where loving hearts are beating with a consciousness of untold riches of the head and heart?

- Orison Swett Marden

Consciousness, Over, Untold, Beating

One should live between extravagance and meanness. Don't save money by starving your mind. It is false economy never to take a holiday, or never to spend money for an evening's amusement or for a useful book.

- Orison Swett Marden

Mind, Starving, Meanness, Extravagance

Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities; strong men make them.

- Orison Swett Marden

Strength, Strong, Wait, Occasions

The great thing in life is efficiency. If you amount to anything in the world, your time is valuable, your energy precious. They are your success capital, and you cannot afford to heedlessly throw them away or trifle with them.

- Orison Swett Marden

Away, Capital, Your, Great Thing

Regard every suggestion that your life may be a failure, that you are not made like those who succeed, and that success is not for you, as a traitor, and expel it from your mind as you would a thief from your house.

- Orison Swett Marden

Mind, Success Is, May, Expel

He who improves an opportunity sows a seed which will yield fruit in opportunity for himself and others.

- Orison Swett Marden

Seed, Himself, Which, Yield

If you would make the most of yourself, cut away all of your vitality sappers; get rid of everything which hampers you and holds you back, everything which wastes your energy, cuts down your working capital. Get freedom at any cost.

- Orison Swett Marden

Away, Cut, Capital, Cuts

It is the hopeful, buoyant, cheerful attitude of mind that wins. Optimism is a success builder; pessimism an achievement killer.

- Orison Swett Marden

Mind, Pessimism, Wins, Killer

Deep within man dwell those slumbering powers; powers that would astonish him, that he never dreamed of possessing; forces that would revolutionize his life if aroused and put into action.

- Orison Swett Marden

Deep, Revolutionize, Aroused, Possessing

A strong, successful man is not the victim of his environment. He creates favorable conditions. His own inherent force and energy compel things to turn out as he desires.

- Orison Swett Marden

Strong, Own, Desires, Victim

With five chances on each hand and one unwavering aim, no boy, however poor, need despair. There is bread and success for every youth under the American flag who has energy and ability to seize his opportunity.

- Orison Swett Marden

Flag, However, Unwavering, Chances

There is no investment you can make which will pay you so well as the effort to scatter sunshine and good cheer through your establishment.

- Orison Swett Marden

Will, Through, Which, Good Cheer

Forests, lakes, and rivers, clouds and winds, stars and flowers, stupendous glaciers and crystal snowflakes - every form of animate or inanimate existence, leaves its impress upon the soul of man.

- Orison Swett Marden

Nature, Rivers, Glaciers, Inanimate

One of the secrets of a successful life is to be able to hold all of our energies upon one point, to focus all of the scattered rays of the mind upon one place or thing.

- Orison Swett Marden

Focus, Mind, Secrets, Energies

The great aim of your life should be to keep your powers up to the highest possible standard, to so conserve your energies, guard your health, that you can make every occasion a great occasion.

- Orison Swett Marden

Aim, Occasion, Standard, Energies

We must give more in order to get more. It is the generous giving of ourselves that produces the generous harvest.

- Orison Swett Marden

Harvest, Give, More, Produces

No man can stand still; the moment progress is not made, retrogression begins. If the blade is not kept sharp and bright, the law of rust will assert its claim.

- Orison Swett Marden

Law, Will, Still, Sharp

Without this tremendous passion for power, influence, and advantage which money gives, how could nature develop the highest type of man? Without this infinite longing, whence would come the discipline which industry, perseverance, tact, sagacity, and frugality give?

- Orison Swett Marden

Industry, Infinite, Whence

Those who have accomplished great things in the world have been, as a rule, bold, aggressive, and self-confident. They dared to step out from the crowd and act in an original way. They were not afraid to be generals.

- Orison Swett Marden

Original, Been, Generals, Aggressive

Your outlook upon life, your estimate of yourself, your estimate of your value are largely colored by your environment. Your whole career will be modified, shaped, molded by your surroundings, by the character of the people with whom you come in contact every day.

- Orison Swett Marden

Career, Every Day, Shaped, Outlook

You will never succeed while smarting under the drudgery of your occupation, if you are constantly haunted with the idea that you could succeed better in something else.

- Orison Swett Marden

Will, Idea, Occupation, Haunted

All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.

- Orison Swett Marden

Goal, Aim, Which, Fixed

Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.

- Orison Swett Marden

Success, Measured, Which, Overwhelming

Unless you have prepared yourself to profit by your chance, the opportunity will only make you ridiculous. A great occasion is valuable to you just in proportion as you have educated yourself to make use of it.

- Orison Swett Marden

Chance, Occasion, Proportion, Profit

Open eyes will discover opportunities everywhere; open ears will never fail to detect the cries of those who are perishing for assistance; open hearts will never want for worthy objects upon which to bestow their gifts; open hands will never lack for noble work to do.

- Orison Swett Marden

Hands, Objects, Detect, Bestow

Necessity has been a priceless spur which has helped men to perform miracles against incredible odds.

- Orison Swett Marden

Been, Priceless, Which, Odds

It pays to cultivate popularity. It doubles success possibilities, develops manhood, and builds up character.

- Orison Swett Marden

Character, Possibilities, Doubles

When the mind has once formed the habit of holding cheerful, happy, prosperous pictures, it will not be easy to form the opposite habit.

- Orison Swett Marden

Happy, Mind, Will, Cheerful

Our visions are the plans of the possible life structure, but they will end in plans if we do not follow them up with a vigorous effort to make them real, just as the architect's plans will end in his drawings if they are not followed up and made real by the builder.

- Orison Swett Marden

Will, Made, Architect, Vigorous

Most of us are at war with ourselves, are our own worst enemies. We expect a great deal of ourselves, yet we do not put ourselves in a condition to achieve great things. We are either too indulgent to our bodies, or we are not indulgent enough.

- Orison Swett Marden

Achieve, Deal, Bodies, Indulgent

I wish I could fill every young man who reads these pages with an utter dread and horror of poverty. I wish I could make you so feel its shame, its constraint, its bitterness that you would make vows against it.

- Orison Swett Marden

Shame, Young, Utter, Constraint

Nearly all the great improvements, discoveries, inventions, and achievements which have elevated and blessed humanity have been the triumphs of enthusiasm.

- Orison Swett Marden

Achievements, Been, Which, Elevated

No one is mocked with the yearning for that which he has no ability to attain. If he holds the right mental attitude and struggles earnestly, honestly toward his goal, he will reach it, or at least approximate to it.

- Orison Swett Marden

Goal, Which, Mocked, Approximate

What is enthusiasm but a passionate belief in what seems to be a high and holy aim - an unselfish devotion to some noble cause - a consecration of heart and mind and soul to the attainment of a great object?

- Orison Swett Marden

Mind, Passionate, Some, Unselfish

Wanted: a man who will not lose his individuality in a crowd, a man who has the courage of his convictions, who is not afraid to say 'No,' though all the world say 'Yes.'

- Orison Swett Marden

Will, Crowd, Though, Convictions

More men are ruined by underestimating the value of money than by overestimating it. Let us, then, abandon the affectation of despising money, and frankly own its value.

- Orison Swett Marden

Own, More, Then, Ruined

To many a man, and sometimes to a youth, there comes the opportunity to choose between honorable competence and tainted wealth. The young man who starts out to be poor and honorable, holds in his hand one of the strongest elements of success.

- Orison Swett Marden

Young, Sometimes, Choose, Honorable

Success is the child of drudgery and perseverance. It cannot be coaxed or bribed; pay the price and it is yours.

- Orison Swett Marden

Success, Success Is, Price, Drudgery

The secret of success lies in that old word, 'Drudgery,' in doing one thing long after it ceases to be amusing; and it is 'this one thing I do' that gathers me together from my chaos, that concentrates me from possibilities to powers, and turns powers into achievements.

- Orison Swett Marden

Doing, Possibilities, Drudgery

The Universe is one great kindergarten for man. Everything that exists has brought with it its own peculiar lesson.

- Orison Swett Marden

Nature, Kindergarten, Peculiar

Whoever uplifts civilization is rich though he die penniless, and future generations will erect his monument.

- Orison Swett Marden

Die, Civilization, Though, Monument

The quality of your work, in the long run, is the deciding factor on how much your services are valued by the world.

- Orison Swett Marden

Work, Run, Long Run, Factor

There is not a single indication in man's wonderful mechanism that he was created for a life of poverty. There is something larger and grander for him in the divine plan than perpetual slavery to the bread-winning problem.

- Orison Swett Marden

Wonderful, Larger, Created, Grander

When the sacredness of one's word is matched in the attributes of his character throughout, all that constitutes a man, then we find that there is something in a man's life greater than his occupation or his achievements; grander than acquisition or wealth; higher than genius; more enduring than fame.

- Orison Swett Marden

Achievements, Occupation, Grander

Obstacles are like wild animals. They are cowards but they will bluff you if they can. If they see you are afraid of them... they are liable to spring upon you; but if you look them squarely in the eye, they will slink out of sight.

- Orison Swett Marden

Will, Cowards, Like, Squarely

All men who have achieved great things have been great dreamers.

- Orison Swett Marden

Men, Imagination, Been, Dreamers

Do not give up your dream because it is apparently not being realized, because you cannot see it coming true. Cling to your vision with all the tenacity you can muster. Keep it bright; do not let the bread-and-butter side of life cloud your ideal or dim it.

- Orison Swett Marden

Bright, Dim, Your, Cling

The great opportunity belongs to him who can see it, to him who can grasp it. The better part of your chance is right inside of you.

- Orison Swett Marden

Opportunity, Chance, Part, Great Opportunity

A constant struggle, a ceaseless battle to bring success from inhospitable surroundings, is the price of all great achievements.

- Orison Swett Marden

Bring, Constant, Ceaseless, Struggle

There is nothing in this world which men desire and struggle for, and that is good for them, of which there is not enough for everybody.

- Orison Swett Marden

World, Everybody, Which, Struggle

There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something tomorrow.

- Orison Swett Marden

Hope, Powerful, Incentive, Tonic

If you do not feel yourself growing in your work and your life broadening and deepening, if your task is not a perpetual tonic to you, you have not found your place.

- Orison Swett Marden

Work, Feel, Deepening, Tonic

He is the richest man who enriches his country most; in whom the people feel richest and proudest; who gives himself with his money; who opens the doors of opportunity widest to those about him; who is ears to the deaf, eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame.

- Orison Swett Marden

Feet, Blind, Country, Richest

There can be no great courage where there is no confidence or assurance, and half the battle is in the conviction that we can do what we undertake.

- Orison Swett Marden

Battle, Undertake, Half, Assurance

Wanted: a man who is larger than his calling, who considers it a low estimate of his occupation to value it merely as a means of getting a living.

- Orison Swett Marden

Larger, Considers, Means, Estimate

When we begin to desire a thing, to yearn for it with all our hearts, we begin to establish relationship with it in proportion to the strength and persistency of our longing and intelligent effort to realize it.

- Orison Swett Marden

Strength, Desire, Proportion, Establish

The waste of life occasioned by trying to do too many things at once is appalling.

- Orison Swett Marden

Waste, Once, Too, Appalling

True economy means the wisest expenditure of what we have, everything considered, looking at it from the broadest standpoint. It is not a good thing to save a nickel at the expenditure of twenty-five cents' worth of time.

- Orison Swett Marden

Nickel, Expenditure, Means, Standpoint

The achievements of willpower are almost beyond computation. Scarcely anything seems impossible to the man who can will strongly enough and long enough.

- Orison Swett Marden

Will, Achievements, Almost, Scarcely

It is psychological law that whatever we desire to accomplish we must impress upon the subjective or subconscious mind.

- Orison Swett Marden

Mind, Impress, Psychological, Subconscious Mind

The size of your accomplishments, the quality of your achievement, will depend very largely on how big a man you see in yourself, what sort of image you get of your possible self, yourself at your best.

- Orison Swett Marden

Big, Image, Very, Accomplishments

No one can make the most of himself until he looks upon his life as a magnificent possibility, the materials for a great masterpiece, to mar or spoil which would be a great tragedy.

- Orison Swett Marden

Great, Magnificent, Which, Possibility

Enthusiasm will steady the heart and strengthen the will; it will give force to the thought and nerve to the hand until what was only a possibility becomes a reality.

- Orison Swett Marden

Thought, Give, Will, Possibility

Nothing else so destroys the power to stand alone as the habit of leaning upon others. If you lean, you will never be strong or original. Stand alone or bury your ambition to be somebody in the world.

- Orison Swett Marden

Strong, Will, Original, Leaning

One can make no better investment than the cultivation of a taste for the beautiful, for it will bring rainbow hues and enduring joys to the whole life. It will not only greatly increase one's capacity for happiness, but also one's efficiency.

- Orison Swett Marden

Efficiency, Will, Enduring, Greatly

You have not found your place until all your faculties are roused, and your whole nature consents and approves of the work you are doing.

- Orison Swett Marden

Work, Nature, Doing, Approve

There are powers inside of you which, if you could discover and use, would make of you everything you ever dreamed or imagined you could become.

- Orison Swett Marden

Positive, Discover, Which, Powers

In order to keep himself at the top of his condition, to obtain complete mastery of all his powers and possibilities, a man must be good to himself mentally; he must think well of himself.

- Orison Swett Marden

Think, Possibilities, Obtain, Powers

We are all the products of our own thoughts. Whatever we concentrate upon, that we are.

- Orison Swett Marden

Thoughts, Own, Our, Concentrate

Every man ultimately falls into the company with which he affiliates. And he is the strongest who draws men to himself, who creates the company; and this is through having a positive quality - courage and physical prowess.

- Orison Swett Marden

Through, Which, Having, Prowess

There is no surer token of a little mind than to imagine that anything in the way of physical labor is dishonoring.

- Orison Swett Marden

Mind, Imagine, Surer, Token

Form the habit early in life of leaving your business at the store or wherever you may be employed. Never carry it home to mar the peace of your family; if you do, you will soon drive out the sunshine.

- Orison Swett Marden

Business, Will, May, Wherever

Joyfulness keeps the heart and face young. A good laugh makes us better friends with ourselves and everybody around us.

- Orison Swett Marden

Young, Everybody, Makes, Laugh

What is needed by him who would succeed in the highest degree possible is careful planning. He is to accumulate reserved power, that he may be equal to all emergencies.

- Orison Swett Marden

Degree, Needed, May, Emergencies

Our thoughts and imagination are the only real limits to our possibilities.

- Orison Swett Marden

Thoughts, Possibilities, Limits

Character is the indelible mark that determines the only true value of all people and all their work.

- Orison Swett Marden

Work, Indelible, Determines, All People

Existence is the privilege of effort, and when that privilege is met like a man, opportunities to succeed along the line of your aptitude will come faster than you can use them.

- Orison Swett Marden

Will, Line, Like, Aptitude

The mere fact that so many continue to rise, year after year, out of just such conditions as you may think are fatal to your advancement, ought to convince you that you also can conquer your environment.

- Orison Swett Marden

Think, Fact, May, Ought

If you would attract good fortune, you must get rid of doubt. As long as that stands between you and your ambition, it will be a bar that will cut you off. You must have faith. No man can make a fortune while he is convinced that he can't.

- Orison Swett Marden

Faith, Attract, Cut, Good Fortune

The greatest thing a man can do in this world is to make the most possible out of the stuff that has been given him. This is success, and there is no other.

- Orison Swett Marden

Other, Been, Given, Greatest Thing

The most irresistible charm of youth is its bubbling enthusiasm. Youth sees no darkness ahead - no defile that has no outlet - it forgets that there is such a thing as failure in the world and believes that mankind has been waiting all these centuries for him to come and be the liberator of truth and energy and beauty.

- Orison Swett Marden

Beauty, Waiting, Been, Forgets

Circumstances have rarely favored great men. A lowly beginning is no bar to a great career. The boy who works his way through college may have a hard time of it, but he will learn how to work his way in life, and will usually take higher rank in school and in after life than his classmate who is the son of a millionaire.

- Orison Swett Marden

College, Career, Through, Rank

The man who would forge to the front in this competitive age must be a man of prompt and determined decision.

- Orison Swett Marden

Decision, Be A Man, Would, Forge

It is just as important to set apart time for the development of our aesthetic faculties as for cultivating the money-getting instinct. A man cannot live by bread alone. His higher life demands an impalpable food.

- Orison Swett Marden

Development, Aesthetic, Set, Apart

Your expectations opens or closes the doors of your supply, If you expect grand things, and work honestly for them, they will come to you, your supply will correspond with your expectation.

- Orison Swett Marden

Work, Will, Honestly, Opens

Just try the effect of putting beauty into your life, a little every day. You will find it magical. It will broaden and light up your outlook upon the world as the acquisition of money or fame never can.

- Orison Swett Marden

Beauty, Every Day, Putting, Outlook

A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work. Worry upsets our whole system; work keeps it in health and order.

- Orison Swett Marden

Worry, Week, More, Upsets

No one has a corner on success. It is his who pays the price.

- Orison Swett Marden

Success, Corner, His, Pays

When we are sure that we are on the right road there is no need to plan our journey too far ahead. No need to burden ourselves with doubts and fears as to the obstacles that may bar our progress. We cannot take more than one step at a time.

- Orison Swett Marden

Obstacles, Ahead, We Cannot, Right Road

Work faithfully, and you will put yourself in possession of a glorious and enlarging happiness.

- Orison Swett Marden

Happiness, Will, Faithfully, Enlarging

If our dreams are sincere desires to achieve, not mere pipe-dreams, there is something deep within ourselves which comes out to meet them and helps to make them realities.

- Orison Swett Marden

Deep, Within, Which, Helps

The world takes us at our own valuation. It believes in the man who believes in himself, but it has little use for the timid man: the one who is never certain of himself, who cannot rely on his own judgment, who craves advice from others, and is afraid to go ahead on his own account.

- Orison Swett Marden

Advice, Ahead, Use, Craves

Economize in other things if you must, wear threadbare clothes if necessary, but never cheat your body or brain by the quality and quantity of your food. Poor, cheap food which produces low vitality and inferior brain force is the worst kind of economy.

- Orison Swett Marden

Other, Wear, Your, Produces

The most fascinating person is always the one of the most winning manners; not the one of greatest physical beauty.

- Orison Swett Marden

Winning, Always, Most, Manners

Never allow yourself to dwell upon your weaknesses, deficiencies, or failures. Holding firmly the ideal and struggling vigorously to attain it will help you to realize it.

- Orison Swett Marden

Failures, Allow, Firmly, Deficiencies

Nothing that the mind of man can conceive is impossible.

- Orison Swett Marden

Mind, Impossible, Nothing, Conceive

Our trials, our sorrows, and our grieves develop us.

- Orison Swett Marden

Sympathy, Trials, Develop, Grieves

Charm of personality is a divine gift that sways the strongest characters and sometimes even controls the destinies of nations.

- Orison Swett Marden

Gift, Controls, Characters, Strongest

If we hold the poverty thought, the penury thought, the thought of lack, we cannot demonstrate abundance. We must hold the plenty thought if we would reach plenty.

- Orison Swett Marden

Thought, Reach, We Cannot, Demonstrate

The ability to cultivate friends is a powerful aid to success. It is capital which will stand by one when panics come, when banks fail, when business concerns go to the wall.

- Orison Swett Marden

Business, Capital, Which, Concerns

Golden opportunities are nothing to laziness, but industry makes the commonest chances golden.

- Orison Swett Marden

Nothing, Golden, Makes, Chances

By constant contemplation of excellence, we clear our selfhood of all dross and impurities.

- Orison Swett Marden

Excellence, Clear, Constant, Contemplation

The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.

- Orison Swett Marden

Creator, Which, Given, Longing

Analyzing what you haven't got as well as what you have is a necessary ingredient of a career.

- Orison Swett Marden

Career, Ingredient, Analyzing

One of the greatest boons that can ever come to a human being is to be born on a farm and reared in the country. Self-reliance and grit are oftenest country-bred.

- Orison Swett Marden

Grit, Country, Human Being, Farm

Achievement is not always success, while reputed failure often is. It is honest endeavor, persistent effort to do the best possible under any and all circumstances.

- Orison Swett Marden

Failure, Achievement, Always, Persistent

The hand cannot reach higher than does the heart.

- Orison Swett Marden

Reach, Than, Does, Hand

When God calls a man to be upright and pure and generous, he also calls him to be intelligent and skillful, and strong and brave.

- Orison Swett Marden

Strong, Pure, Also, Upright

You are never to allow a shadow of doubt to enter your mind that the Creator intended you to win in life's battle.

- Orison Swett Marden

Mind, Creator, Allow, Enter

The influential man is the successful man, whether he be rich or poor.

- Orison Swett Marden

Poor, Influential, Whether, Successful Man

Every man must play the part of his ambition. If you are trying to be a successful man, you must play the part.

- Orison Swett Marden

Play, Part, Every Man, Successful Man

It is like the seed put in the soil - the more one sows, the greater the harvest.

- Orison Swett Marden

Wisdom, Seed, Harvest, Greater

The best thing about giving of ourselves is that what we get is always better than what we give. The reaction is greater than the action.

- Orison Swett Marden

Give, Reaction, Always, Greater

Strength of will is the test of a young man's possibilities. Can he will strong enough and hold whatever he undertakes with an iron grip?

- Orison Swett Marden

Strong, Possibilities, Grip, Iron

Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them.

- Orison Swett Marden

Through, Away, Before, Boldly

If a thing seems to you worth working for at all, if it appears to you of moment enough to challenge any effort, then put into what you do all the enthusiasm of which you are capable, regardless of criticism.

- Orison Swett Marden

Effort, Which, Appears, Regardless

Put variety into your mental bill of fare as well as into your physical. It will pay you rich returns.

- Orison Swett Marden

Will, Fare, Bill, Returns

There is no stimulus like that which comes from the consciousness of knowing that others believe in us.

- Orison Swett Marden

Consciousness, Like, Which, Stimulus

History furnishes thousands of examples of men who have seized occasions to accomplish results deemed impossible by those less resolute. Prompt decision and whole-souled action sweep the world before them.

- Orison Swett Marden

Decision, Before, Sweep, Deemed

There is only one thing for us to do, and that is to do our level best right where we are every day of our lives; To use our best judgment, and then to trust the rest to that Power which holds the forces of the universe in his hands.

- Orison Swett Marden

Positive, Trust, Hands, Forces

No man can be ideally successful until he has found his place. Like a locomotive he is strong on the track, but weak anywhere else.

- Orison Swett Marden

Strong, Like, Anywhere, Successful

The sort of man you will make of yourself, how you will be regarded by the world, whether people will admire and respect or despise you, whether you win the approval or the condemnation of your Maker - all this is in your own hands.

- Orison Swett Marden

Hands, Will, Approval, Condemnation

Many a man has finally succeeded only because he has failed after repeated efforts. If he had never met defeat he would never have known any great victory.

- Orison Swett Marden

Victory, Finally, Had, Met

It is the idle man, not the great worker, who is always complaining that he has no time or opportunity.

- Orison Swett Marden

Always, Idle, No Time, Worker

Our dreaming capacity gives us a peep into the glorious realities that await us further on. It is the evidence of things possible to us.

- Orison Swett Marden

Possible, Dreaming, Evidence, Await

No employer today is independent of those about him. He cannot succeed alone, no matter how great his ability or capital. Business today is more than ever a question of cooperation.

- Orison Swett Marden

Business, Question, Capital, Employer

There is an infinite difference between a little wrong and just right, between fairly good and the best, between mediocrity and superiority.

- Orison Swett Marden

Superiority, Infinite, Wrong

Should you be so unfortunate as to suppose you are a genius, and that 'things will come to you,' it would be well to undeceive yourself as soon as possible. Make up your mind that industry must be the price of all you obtain, and at once begin to pay down.

- Orison Swett Marden

Down, Industry, Your, Make Up

No matter where your lot may be cast, no power on earth can keep you from making a man of yourself, a superb character, a masterpiece.

- Orison Swett Marden

Making, May, Superb, Masterpiece

Poverty itself is not so bad as the poverty thought. It is the conviction that we are poor and must remain so that is fatal.

- Orison Swett Marden

Thought, Bad, Itself, Fatal

It is every one's sacred duty to keep himself in a condition to do the biggest thing possible to him.

- Orison Swett Marden

Him, Possible, Sacred Duty, Biggest Thing

The man who has no money is poor, but one who has nothing but money is poorer. He only is rich who can enjoy without owning; he is poor who though he has millions is covetous.

- Orison Swett Marden

Nothing, Poorer, Though, Millions

The forthputting of willpower is a means of strengthening willpower. The will becomes strong by exercise. To stick to a thing till you are master is a test of intellectual discipline and power.

- Orison Swett Marden

Strong, Means, Strengthening, Master

The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment; it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone.

- Orison Swett Marden

Wisdom, Luck, Chance, Seeking

Our destiny changes with our thought; we shall become what we wish to become, do what we wish to do, when our habitual thought corresponds with our desire.

- Orison Swett Marden

Destiny, Wish, Desire, Habitual

Discouragement, fear, doubt, lack of self-confidence, are the germs which have killed the prosperity and happiness of tens of thousands of people.

- Orison Swett Marden

Discouragement, Which, Tens, Thousands

Scatter your flowers as you go; you will never go this way again.

- Orison Swett Marden

Flowers, Never, Will, Scatter

If you would make the most of yourself, never picture yourself as anything different from what you would actually be, the man or woman you long to become.

- Orison Swett Marden

Woman, Long, Anything, Picture

Believe with all your heart that you will do what you were made to do. Never for an instant harbor a doubt of it.

- Orison Swett Marden

Never, Will, Were, Instant

Life is a great university for the unfolding of the mind, for developing character. In choosing our life work, when we are free to choose, we should remember this, and choose that which will call the biggest man or woman out of us and not that from which we can coin the most dollars.

- Orison Swett Marden

Woman, University, Unfolding

We advance on our journey only when we face our goal, when we are confident and believe we are going to win out.

- Orison Swett Marden

Journey, Goal, Going, Advance

Every young man or woman should weigh the matter well before concluding that a college education is out of the question.

- Orison Swett Marden

Woman, College, Weigh, Young Man

Put the uncommon effort into the common task... make it large by doing it in a great way.

- Orison Swett Marden

Doing, Common, Task, Uncommon

Every youth owes it to himself and to the world to make the most possible out of the stuff that is in him.

- Orison Swett Marden

Himself, Most, Owes, Stuff

He has missed the finest lesson of culture and experience who has not learned how to enjoy without owning.

- Orison Swett Marden

How, Finest, Learned, Missed

A will finds a way.

- Orison Swett Marden

Motivational, Will, Way, Finds

We make the world we live in and shape our own environment.

- Orison Swett Marden

Motivational, Environment, Make

Be larger than your task.

- Orison Swett Marden

Task, Than, Your, Larger

It is what we do easily and what we like to do that we do well.

- Orison Swett Marden

Well, Like, Easily

We fail to see that we can control our destiny; make ourselves do whatever is possible; make ourselves become whatever we long to be.

- Orison Swett Marden

Control, See, Fail, Destiny

What we do for a living does not matter so much as how we do it. It is the spirit in which we do our work that counts, and that counts through all eternity.

- Orison Swett Marden

Through, Eternity, Which, Counts

You cannot measure a man by his failures. You must know what use he makes of them. What did they mean to him. What did he get out of them.

- Orison Swett Marden

Use, Makes, Them, Failures

No man fails who does his best.

- Orison Swett Marden

Best, His, Does, Fails

A good system shortens the road to the goal.

- Orison Swett Marden

Good, Goal, System, Road

Wisdom is knowledge which has become a part of one's being.

- Orison Swett Marden

Part, Being, Which, Wisdom

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