William Feather Quotes

Powerful William Feather for Daily Growth

About William Feather

William Feather (1889-1981) was an influential American writer, publisher, and businessman known for his motivational books that encouraged personal development and self-improvement. Born on February 26, 1889, in New York City to a family of modest means, Feather's early life was marked by hardship and determination. He left school at the age of 14 to support his family, working various jobs before finding success as a writer and publisher. Feather's career took off during the 1920s when he began writing for popular magazines like Collier's Weekly and Saturday Evening Post. His first book, "Pep-Talks for Men Only," was published in 1933, followed by several other motivational titles that became bestsellers. In 1942, Feather founded Fawcett Publications, which published some of the most popular magazines in America at the time, including True Story and Cosmopolitan. Throughout his career, Feather was influenced by a strong belief in self-reliance, perseverance, and personal responsibility. His works reflected this philosophy, with titles like "How to Live the Seven Happiness Habits" (1946), "How to Make Money" (1950), and "The New Dynamic Religion" (1952). Feather's most famous work, however, is probably "Your Wish Can Come True," first published in 1938. This book became a classic self-help text, with its positive messages resonating with readers for generations. Despite his success, Feather remained humble and dedicated to helping others. He often spoke at universities and businesses about the importance of hard work, determination, and a positive attitude. William Feather passed away on December 20, 1981, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration and motivation that continues to influence people today. His books remain popular, with timeless messages about personal growth, success, and happiness.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is a journey, not a destination."

This quote by William Feather suggests that success is not an end goal to be reached, but rather it's a process or journey filled with experiences, learning, and growth. It implies that the accomplishments we strive for are indeed important, but they should not overshadow the personal development, skills, and wisdom gained along the way. Success in life is about continually moving forward, growing, adapting, and striving to be better versions of ourselves - it's about cherishing the journey as much as the destination.


"The trouble with life is that there is no final exam."

William Feather's quote suggests that life, unlike traditional educational systems, does not have a definitive, conclusive test or evaluation that determines our success or failure. This implies that the learning process in life is ongoing, without a specific end-point to prove our worth or mastery of skills. It encourages us to continually grow, adapt, and strive for self-improvement throughout our lives. In essence, it challenges us to find fulfillment in the journey itself, rather than focusing solely on reaching a destination or achieving a particular goal.


"If you want to secure a happy, prosperous future, the thing to do is to save while you earn."

The quote emphasizes the importance of financial prudence for long-term success and happiness. By saving money during your earning years, you are creating a safety net and potential growth opportunities for your future. This mindset encourages responsible spending, smart investments, and wealth accumulation which ultimately leads to a prosperous life and peace of mind.


"You will never go wrong if you stick to your own originality."

This quote emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and one's unique qualities in life and work. It suggests that individuality, creativity, and authenticity are essential for success and happiness. The message is not to imitate others or follow trends blindly but instead to trust your own abilities, ideas, and instincts. This originality will guide you towards fulfilling your potential and achieving your goals in a way that feels genuine and meaningful.


"Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking."

This quote by William Feather encourages action rather than waiting for ideal conditions or opportunities to present themselves. The essence is to create our own momentum and generate excitement, passion, or interest in a project or endeavor by initiating and persistently working on it, making it "hot" through effort, instead of just passively waiting for it to become "hot."


A budget tells us what we can't afford, but it doesn't keep us from buying it.

- William Feather

Afford, Keep, Tells, Finance

One of the funny things about the stock market is that every time one person buys, another sells, and both think they are astute.

- William Feather

Think, Buys, Sells, Finance

If you're naturally kind, you attract a lot of people you don't like.

- William Feather

Funny, Lot, Naturally, Attract

Temporary success can be achieved in spite of lack of other fundamental qualities, but no advancements can be maintained without hard work.

- William Feather

Work, Temporary, Other, Spite

When ordering lunch, the big executives are just as indecisive as the rest of us.

- William Feather

Lunch, Rest, Big, Indecisive

The wisdom of the wise and the experience of the ages is preserved into perpetuity by a nation's proverbs, fables, folk sayings and quotations.

- William Feather

Nation, Proverbs, Fables, Quotations

Early morning cheerfulness can be extremely obnoxious.

- William Feather

Morning, Extremely, Early

He isn't a real boss until he has trained subordinates to shoulder most of his responsibilities.

- William Feather

Boss, Most, His, Shoulder

If people really liked to work, we'd still be plowing the land with sticks and transporting goods on our backs.

- William Feather

Work, Still, Transporting, Plowing

Some people are making such thorough preparation for rainy days that they aren't enjoying today's sunshine.

- William Feather

Sunshine, Some, Making, Rainy

Finishing a good book is like leaving a good friend.

- William Feather

Book, Finishing, Like, Good Friend

Something that has always puzzled me all my life is why, when I am in special need of help, the good deed is usually done by somebody on whom I have no claim.

- William Feather

Good, My Life, Why, Claim

Every social injustice is not only cruel, but it is economic waste.

- William Feather

Injustice, Waste, Social, Economic

Any man who makes a speech more than six times a year is bound to repeat himself, not because he has little to say, but because he wants applause and the old stuff gets it.

- William Feather

Year, More, Six, Applause

Business is always interfering with pleasure - but it makes other pleasures possible.

- William Feather

Always, Other, Pleasures, Interfering

Concentrate on your job and you will forget your other troubles.

- William Feather

Work, Forget, Other, Concentrate

The prizes go to those who meet emergencies successfully. And the way to meet emergencies is to do each daily task the best we can.

- William Feather

Meet, Task, Successfully, Emergencies

Back of ninety-nine out of one-hundred assertions that a thing cannot be done is nothing, but the unwillingness to do it.

- William Feather

Nothing, Back, Cannot, Ninety-Nine

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.

- William Feather

Success, Go, Largely, Let Go

Many of our prayers were not answered, and for this we are now grateful.

- William Feather

Thankful, Grateful, Answered, Prayers

No man is a failure who is enjoying life.

- William Feather

Life, Failure, Man, Enjoying Life

Books open your mind, broaden your mind, and strengthen you as nothing else can.

- William Feather

Mind, Books, Else, Strengthen

Next to a sincere compliment, I think I like a well-deserved and honest rebuke.

- William Feather

Think, Next, I Think, Rebuke

That they may have a little peace, even the best dogs are compelled to snarl occasionally.

- William Feather

May, Compelled, Even, Occasionally

When lying, be emphatic and indignant, thus behaving like your children.

- William Feather

Children, Like, Thus, Behaving

Setting a good example for your children takes all the fun out of middle age.

- William Feather

Good Example, Middle, Your, Middle Age

One of the many things nobody ever tells you about middle age is that it's such a nice change from being young.

- William Feather

Age, Young, Middle, Middle Age

Don't let ambition get so far ahead that it loses sight of the job at hand.

- William Feather

Ambition, Ahead, Far, Loses

The philosophy behind much advertising is based on the old observation that every man is really two men - the man he is and the man he wants to be.

- William Feather

Behind, Old, Based, Philosophy

Some of us might find happiness if we quit struggling so desperately for it.

- William Feather

Happiness, Some, Might, Struggling

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