Chris Matthews Quotes

The best jobs will go to the best educated people.

You make your own luck by working hard, you know?

There's no such thing as anybody who can't be beat; everybody can be beat. It's a question of how hard you're willing to work. It's a question of the environment, the surroundings. Frankly, there's a lot of issues with timing.

That's the way it is: you have to show your initiative, you have to show talent and availability, and still have an awful lot of luck.

There are people who believe once somebody gets you a job in show business you are set and the truth is you have to fight for every job. People opened the doors for me for sure and hopefully I've helped open the door for some people but when you're there it's on you and you better be ready for it.

I want to make sure that I am always ready: that if I step off the bench, I will make a contribution, then be given my chance.

You don't have to be born wealthy and have an aristocratic last name or have connections or all these things. If you have a dream, you can believe in something and work hard and struggle and fight for it and still have a chance to succeed.

Whoever plays well on a given day, that player wins.

Growing up it was always a dream. I just always thought as long as I worked hard that someone would take a look at me and know I could play in the NBA.

I can't open doors that aren't open. But if a door opens, I would be happy to walk through.

The United States is probably the most [socially] mobile society in the history of the world. The virtues that are most valuable in it are diligence, discipline, ambition, and a willingness to take risks. Education and credentials are most important in government; elsewhere most skills are learned on the job.

I love the fact that trying is respected. The American Dream: if you try, if you build it, they will come. I love that. It's honorable.

That's kind of the nature of the profession I'm in. It's frustrating. Things don't go your way, and I was no exception, in that I spent many years struggling to get work, and there are a lot of people more talented than myself who got jobs before me. And I finally, after years and years and years, got lucky.

Even if you're the best singer in the world, there's a good chance no one will ever hear you.

If the opportunity is not out there for you to play it, then you don't see it.

You want to be a writer? A writer is someone who writes every day, so start writing. You don't have a job? Get one. Any job. Don't sit at home waiting for the magical opportunity. Who are you? Prince William? No. Get a job. Go to work. Do something until you can do something else.

I don't always feel lucky, but I'm smart enough to try.

Be willing to work for nothing in things you think are stupid. Make work for yourself. Make your own luck. Don't complain. Hopefully, the work will find you if you are ready.

There is no such thing as overnight success or easy money. If you fail, do not be discouraged; try again. When you do well, do not change your ways. Success is not just good luck: it is a combination of hard work, good credit standing, opportunity, readiness and timing. Success will not last if you do not take care of it.

When 'tis an aven thing in th' prayin', may th' best man win ... an' th' best man will win.

Being involved in competition is a privilege and an opportunity. Seek to make the most of that opportunity by pushing yourself to the limit of your abilities. When it is over, you will have earned the respect of your opponents, your coaches, and yourself.

You've got to stay ready, especially around here. That's what we preach, you'll get your opportunity whether it comes at the beginning or in the middle or in the end whenever it may be. When your time comes, you need to be ready to go because you're going to earn your minutes

You don't need to be born with a silver spoon to reach for the brass ring

You just have to be persistent. I think that's one of the biggest things about the model industry and this career is being persistent and believing in yourself and also being ready when the timing is right. So much of it is about timing and luck, so to be ready when you get the opportunity.

If you don't run, you can't win.