William James Quotes

Positive thinking is more than just a tagline. It changes the way we behave. And I firmly believe that when I am positive, it not only makes me better, but it also makes those around me better.

If we are ever in doubt about what to do, it is a good rule to ask ourselves what we shall wish on the morrow that we had done.

To recognize negativism as a force of creation is to give up the creative standpoint altogether.

Trust your gut feeling about things, listen to what others are saying, and look at the results of your actions. Once you know the truth, you can set about taking action to improve. Everyone will be better for it.

While different people may approach opportunities in different ways, we need to base decisions on a fundamental set of values as we chart our course of action.

I view myself as someone who is always trying to make life better in practical ways and putting the pieces together to do that.

That is what we are supposed to do when we are at our best - make it all up - but make it up so truly that later it will happen that way.

Opportunity ideas do not lie around waiting to be discovered. Such ideas need to be produced.

Consider this point. It is a main point of true wisdom. Whenever there is an execution of purpose, there must be an agent.

A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.

Our principles are the springs of our actions. Our actions, the springs of our happiness or misery. Too much care, therefore, cannot be taken in forming our principles.

I have a sort of long-term plan to direct. I'm pragmatic about it. I realize I don't need to rush it or force it.

Fully consider the future and the immediate results of all undertakings, and the good and bad sides of all past actions.

No political cliche can stand up to reality.

If you spend most of your effort preventing bad things from happening you will also prevent many good things from happening.

The good education of youth has been esteemed by wise men in all ages as the surest foundation of happiness.

Trust is fundamental, reciprocal and, ideally, pervasive. If it is present, anything is possible. If it is absent, nothing is possible. The best leaders trust their followers with the truth, and you know what happens as a result? Their followers trust them back. With that bond, they can do big, hard things together, changing the world for the better.

Prudence does not mean failing to accept responsibilities and postponing decisions; it means being committed to making joint decisions after pondering responsibly the road to be taken.

Intellectuals are people who manage the world in their head. They look at life and try to see some kind of truth, and if they cannot find it, they attempt to create it.

I think being optimistic is ensuring your success. If you start out saying 'I've got this problem,' or 'I'm angry at that,' you will not succeed.

There's never been a time when we've taken progressive action and regretted it.

We have to stick to the message: What are we proposing to the American people? Not, 'What are we fighting against?'

Everyone wants to lead when things are going well.

Nobody can ever say that being negative ever helped them at all - not in any way.

We have to be about finding long-term solutions to our biggest challenges.