S. Truett Cathy Quotes

Powerful S. Truett Cathy for Daily Growth

About S. Truett Cathy

S. Truett Cathy (1921-2014) was an influential American evangelist and entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Chick-fil-A, one of the largest fast-food chains in the United States. Born on September 15, 1921, in Eatonton, Georgia, Truett Cathy was the eldest of four children born to Samuel Brannon Cathy and Josephine Sewell Cathy. Influenced by his parents' faith and their Baptist church, Cathy felt a strong calling towards evangelism from an early age. He attended Baylor University for a short time before being drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. After his military service, he returned to Georgia and enrolled at Truett-McConnell College, where he graduated in 1946. Cathy's entrepreneurial journey began in 1946 when he opened his first restaurant, the Dwarf Grill, in Hapeville, Georgia. In 1952, he developed a pressure-cooker-fried chicken recipe, which became the signature dish of Chick-fil-A, which was established in 1967. The company's philosophy emphasized closures on Sundays to allow employees and customers to spend time with their families. Cathy's influence extended beyond business, as he was a prominent Southern Baptist minister. He founded the Truett-McConnell College and the Christian Brothers Fraternity, and authored several books, including "It's Time to Pray" and "The Extra Mile: One Man's Journey to Win the Race for God." Cathy passed away on September 8, 2014, leaving behind a legacy that combined faith, family, and business success. His quotes continue to inspire many, such as "Do what you can, where you are, with what you have," and "To go the extra mile costs no more effort or time."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"To go ahead is the best way; not to go at all is better than to go backwards."

This quote emphasizes the importance of progress and forward movement in life. S. Truett Cathy suggests that standing still is preferable to moving backward, but going forward (taking action) is the optimal choice. It implies that stagnation or regression are undesirable, while proactive steps toward growth and development are commendable. The message encourages individuals to pursue progress and avoid letting go of the momentum they've built, as standing still may eventually lead to backward movement if left unchecked.


"Doing the right thing is more important than doing the thing right."

This quote by S. Truett Cathy emphasizes the importance of ethical principles over technical perfection in one's actions. It suggests that while it's essential to strive for excellence, adhering to what is morally right should always be prioritized. The implication is that if our intentions are good and we act with integrity, even when things aren't perfect, we create a more meaningful and trustworthy impact in the world.


"If you work first at being a good person, and then try to do a good job, success will be yours."

This quote by S. Truett Cathy emphasizes that personal character is fundamental to achieving success. He suggests that one should prioritize becoming a good person (by upholding ethical values, treating others with kindness, honesty, etc.) as a foundation for their work. The idea is that success will naturally follow when one combines moral integrity and excellent performance. Essentially, Cathy's quote underlines the importance of personal growth and ethical conduct in both our professional and personal lives.


"The secret of success lies in consistency, not in brilliance."

The quote by S. Truett Cathy emphasizes that consistent effort is more valuable than exceptional brilliance when it comes to achieving success. In other words, it's important to focus on consistently putting in work and making progress towards a goal, rather than solely relying on exceptional moments of genius or inspiration. This mindset suggests that perseverance and discipline are key factors for long-term success.


"A life filled with love, and faith, and family is a life worth living."

The quote by S. Truett Cathy emphasizes that a fulfilling life is one steeped in three fundamental aspects: love, faith, and family. Love here implies caring for oneself and others sincerely, while faith refers to trust and commitment towards one's beliefs or principles. Family, on the other hand, encompasses our closest relationships, both biological and chosen, that provide us with emotional support and a sense of belonging. Essentially, this quote suggests that when these three elements coalesce in a person's life, they are living a rich, rewarding, and meaningful existence.


Our decision to close on Sunday was our way of honoring God and of directing our attention to things that mattered more than our business.

- S. Truett Cathy

Business, Decision, Mattered, Honoring

I'd be resentful if shareholders who don't know the business tried to tell me what to do.

- S. Truett Cathy

Tell, Tried, Shareholders, Resentful

Why would I retire from something I enjoy doing? I can hardly wait to get here.

- S. Truett Cathy

Doing, Wait, Here, Retire

We tell applicants, 'If you don't intend to be here for life, you needn't apply.'

- S. Truett Cathy

Tell, Here, Apply, Intend

I motivate what I see in young people because we employ about forty thousand young people in our various Chick-fil-A units. Some of them come to work because they need to work; others just work because they just like to work. There's nothing wrong with that.

- S. Truett Cathy

Young, Some, Employ, Motivate

We live in a changing world, but we need to be reminded that the important things have not changed, and the important things will not change if we keep our priorities in proper order.

- S. Truett Cathy

Change, Will, Need, Changed

I'm planning to be here forever, but I know at some point I'll probably have to give it up. If you live to 100, there's a very good chance you'll live forever. Because very few people die after 100.

- S. Truett Cathy

Here, Some, Very, Good Chance

I see no conflict whatsoever between Christianity and good business practices. People say you can't mix business with religion. I say there's no other way.

- S. Truett Cathy

Business, Other, Whatsoever, Mix

If a man can't manage his own life, he can't manage a business.

- S. Truett Cathy

Business, Own, His, Manage

We don't expect every operator to be Christian, but we tell them we do expect them to operate on Christian principles.

- S. Truett Cathy

Christian, Expect, Operate, Operator

You don't have to be a Christian to work at Chick-fil-A, but we ask you to base your business on biblical principles because they work.

- S. Truett Cathy

Work, Business, Christian, Base

We should be about more than just selling chicken: we should be a part of our customers' lives and the communities in which we serve.

- S. Truett Cathy

Chicken, Which, Lives, Communities

It's a silent witness to the Lord when people go into shopping malls, and everyone is bustling, and you see that Chick-fil-A is closed.

- S. Truett Cathy

Silent, Everyone, Lord, Shopping

I'd like to be remembered as one who kept my priorities in the right order.

- S. Truett Cathy

Priorities, Remembered, Like, Order

In the Great Depression, you bought something if you had the cash to buy it.

- S. Truett Cathy

Buy, Had, Bought, Cash

Nearly every moment of every day, we have the opportunity to give something to someone else - our time, our love, our resources.

- S. Truett Cathy

Love, Every Day, Give, Our Love

I've experienced poverty and plenty, and there's a lesson to be learned when you're brought up in poverty.

- S. Truett Cathy

Lesson, Brought, Learned, Experienced

I have always encouraged my restaurant operators and team members to give back to the local community.

- S. Truett Cathy

Restaurant, Give, Always, Members

I have people say, 'I'll come to work for you for free,' and I tell my employees they have to compete with that.

- S. Truett Cathy

Work, Tell, Compete, Employees

I struggled to get through high school. I didn't get to go to college. But it made me realize you can do anything if you want to bad enough.

- S. Truett Cathy

College, Bad, Through, Realize

I was not so committed to financial success that I was willing to abandon my principles and priorities. One of the most visible examples of this is our decision to close on Sunday.

- S. Truett Cathy

Decision, Committed, Visible, Close

The people are more important than the food. We want a person to be as successful as he can be, and it works the other way around, too.

- S. Truett Cathy

More, Other, Works, Successful

Putting people before profits is how we've tried to operate from the beginning.

- S. Truett Cathy

How, Tried, Profits, Operate

I lost two brothers in an airplane crash, both of them leaving a wife and kids. When I get to Heaven, that's probably the first question I'd like to ask: 'Why was it necessary?'

- S. Truett Cathy

Question, Like, Necessary, Heaven

I had a low image of myself because I was brought up in the deep Depression.

- S. Truett Cathy

Deep, Image, Brought, Depression

If you have debt, you have to worry about it. I would challenge each of you to try to be debt-free.

- S. Truett Cathy

Worry, About, Would, Debt

I had to create some good work habits and attitude.

- S. Truett Cathy

Work, Habits, Some, Good Work

If it took seven days to make a living with a restaurant, then we needed to be in some other line of work.

- S. Truett Cathy

Some, Other, Took, Days

I cook chicken for a living.

- S. Truett Cathy

Chicken, Living, Cook

Why did the chicken cross the road? To prove to the possum that it could be done.

- S. Truett Cathy

Road, Prove, Could, Chicken

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