W. Clement Stone Quotes

Powerful W. Clement Stone for Daily Growth

About W. Clement Stone

William Clement Stone (1902-2002) was an American self-help author, philanthropist, and motivational speaker, renowned for his inspirational quotes that continue to influence millions worldwide. Born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Stone's humble beginnings were marked by poverty, as he worked various odd jobs to support his family during the Great Depression. His life took a transformative turn when he discovered Dale Carnegie's book "How to Win Friends and Influence People" at age 26. The principles outlined in the book resonated with Stone, shaping his philosophies on personal development and success. He went on to become one of the most successful self-made men in America, building a real estate empire worth over $700 million. In 1950, Stone founded Success Magazine, which became a leading platform for sharing insights on business, finance, and personal growth. His first book, "Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude," published in 1952, solidified his reputation as an influential thinker and author. This book, along with subsequent works such as "The Law of Sucess" (1964), "The Secret of Self-Made Men" (1978), and "What Rich People Can't Buy" (1965), have collectively sold over 10 million copies. Stone's teachings emphasized the power of positive thinking, self-discipline, and goal-setting as keys to achieving success. He believed that a prosperous life required not only financial wealth but also spiritual and emotional richness. Stone dedicated much of his later years to philanthropy, establishing the W. Clement Stone Foundation to support education, healthcare, and social services. His enduring legacy continues to inspire generations through his powerful quotes and timeless wisdom on personal growth and success.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Do for others what you would like them to do for you."

This quote by W. Clement Stone emphasizes empathy, reciprocity, and kindness in human interactions. The principle is simple yet profound - treat others as you wish to be treated. It encourages us to consider the feelings and needs of others and to act accordingly, fostering a positive and harmonious environment where everyone respects and cares for each other. This quote serves as a reminder that we should strive to create a world where acts of kindness are reciprocal, where goodness is contagious, and where everyone benefits from the positive energy generated by our actions.


"The key to happiness is having dreams. The reality creates the dreamer; the dreamer creates the reality."

This quote by W. Clement Stone emphasizes the importance of dreams in achieving happiness. He suggests that dreams are a source of motivation, driving us to create our own reality. In other words, having aspirations and goals (dreams) fuels our personal growth and development (the dreamer). As we strive towards these dreams, we shape our own destiny and create the reality we desire (the reality created by the dreamer). This idea underscores the power of setting goals and maintaining a positive outlook on life.


"If you can think it, you can achieve it."

The quote "If you can think it, you can achieve it" by W. Clement Stone emphasizes that our thoughts have a powerful impact on what we are able to accomplish in life. It suggests that if one has the mental capacity to imagine or conceive of something, they possess the potential to make it a reality through hard work, determination, and belief in oneself. This quote encourages us to dream big, believe in our abilities, and pursue our aspirations with unwavering persistence. It asserts that the only real limit to what we can achieve is our own mindset and self-doubt, and that by overcoming these obstacles, we can turn our thoughts into tangible accomplishments.


"You have within you right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the present moment holds for you and that is the starting point of freedom, and the practical expression of faith in a power greater than yourself."

This quote by W. Clement Stone emphasizes the inherent inner strength and resources that each individual possesses. It suggests that people have the capacity to handle any challenge or situation they encounter in life, provided they recognize and utilize these internal resources. The starting point of freedom, in this context, is self-awareness and understanding that one's power lies within oneself. This perspective fosters faith in a greater power (self-belief) and encourages individuals to trust their abilities to navigate the present moment effectively.


"Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement."

W. Clement Stone's quote emphasizes that having a clear, defined purpose is essential to achieving success in any endeavor. This idea suggests that individuals should have a well-thought-out objective or goal that guides their actions and decisions. Having definiteness of purpose provides direction, focus, and motivation, which are crucial elements in the pursuit of any achievement. It's like having a compass when navigating through life's complexities. In essence, knowing your purpose can set you on the path to accomplishment and fulfillment.


There's a great joy in my giving. It's thrilling. It's exhilarating. It's important to be a part of sharing. It is my love. It is my joy.

- W. Clement Stone

Love, Exhilarating, Part, Thrilling

Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.

- W. Clement Stone

Motivational, Moon, Miss You, Miss

Everyone who achieves success in a great venture, solves each problem as they came to it. They helped themselves. And they were helped through powers known and unknown to them at the time they set out on their voyage. They keep going regardless of the obstacles they met.

- W. Clement Stone

Obstacles, Through, Achieves, Venture

Like success, failure is many things to many people. With Positive Mental Attitude, failure is a learning experience, a rung on the ladder, a plateau at which to get your thoughts in order and prepare to try again.

- W. Clement Stone

Positive, Thoughts, Which, Rung

Sales are contingent upon the attitude of the salesman - not the attitude of the prospect.

- W. Clement Stone

Business, Contingent, Prospect

Truth will always be truth, regardless of lack of understanding, disbelief or ignorance.

- W. Clement Stone

Truth, Ignorance, Always, Regardless

We have a problem. 'Congratulations.' But it's a tough problem. 'Then double congratulations.'

- W. Clement Stone

Problem, Double, Then, Congratulations

You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success - or are they holding you back?

- W. Clement Stone

Wisdom, Product, Will, Analyze

What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch?

- W. Clement Stone

Funny, Lunch, Stolen, Cork

Bondage is - subjection to external influences and internal negative thoughts and attitudes.

- W. Clement Stone

Thoughts, Negative, Internal, External

When you do the wrong thing, knowing it is wrong, you do so because you haven't developed the habit of effectively controlling or neutralizing strong inner urges that tempt you, or because you have established the wrong habit and don't know how to eliminate them effectively.

- W. Clement Stone

Strong, Established, Controlling

No matter how carefully you plan your goals they will never be more than pipe dreams unless you pursue them with gusto.

- W. Clement Stone

Leadership, Carefully, Gusto, Goals

You affect your subconscious mind by verbal repetition.

- W. Clement Stone

Mind, Affect, Verbal, Subconscious Mind

Success is achieved and maintained by those who try and keep trying.

- W. Clement Stone

Success, Trying, Success Is, Maintained

Your most precious, valued possessions and your greatest powers are invisible and intangible. No one can take them. You, and you alone, can give them. You will receive abundance for your giving.

- W. Clement Stone

Give, Intangible, Receive, Powers

To every disadvantage there is a corresponding advantage.

- W. Clement Stone

Disadvantage, Advantage, Corresponding

All I want to do is change the world.

- W. Clement Stone

Change, World, Want, Change The World

Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement.

- W. Clement Stone

Success, Purpose, Starting

Every great man, every successful man, no matter what the field of endeavor, has known the magic that lies in these words: every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.

- W. Clement Stone

Adversity, Magic, Equivalent, Successful Man

Regardless of who you are or what you have been, you can be what you want to be.

- W. Clement Stone

Want, You, Been, Regardless

Events tend to recur in cycles.

- W. Clement Stone

Tend, Recur, Cycles, Events

Try, try, try, and keep on trying is the rule that must be followed to become an expert in anything.

- W. Clement Stone

Business, Trying, Expert, Followed

Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.

- W. Clement Stone

Leadership, Be Careful, Become

Self-suggestion makes you master of yourself.

- W. Clement Stone

Wisdom, Yourself, Makes, Master

Big doors swing on little hinges.

- W. Clement Stone

Swing, Big, Hinges, Doors

All personal achievement starts in the mind of the individual. Your personal achievement starts in your mind. The first step is to know exactly what your problem, goal or desire is.

- W. Clement Stone

Mind, Goal, Desire, Step

Thinking will not overcome fear but action will.

- W. Clement Stone

Fear, Overcome, Will, Action

If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.

- W. Clement Stone

Thankful, You, Thanksgiving, Share

You always do what you want to do. This is true with every act. You may say that you had to do something, or that you were forced to, but actually, whatever you do, you do by choice. Only you have the power to choose for yourself.

- W. Clement Stone

Always, May, Forced, Choice

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative.

- W. Clement Stone

Attitude, Big, Whether, Negative

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