Motivational Quotes

Purpose

Every man is occasionally visited by the suspicion that the planet on which he is riding is not really going anywhere; that the Force which controls its measured eccentricities hasn't got anything special in mind. If he broods on this somber theme long enough he gets the doleful idea that the laughing children on a merry-go-round or the thin, fine hands of a lady's watch are revolving more purposely than he is.

- Thurber, James

Best Quotes about Purpose

Thurber, James

At a turbulent public meeting once I lost my temper and said some harsh and sarcastic things. The proposal I was supporting was promptly defeated. My father who was there, said nothing, but that night, on my pillow I found a marked passage from Aristotle: Anybody can become angry--that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way -- that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.

Gordon, Arthur

The soul which has no fixed purpose in life is lost; to be everywhere, is to be nowhere.

Montaigne, Michel Eyquem De

Many men go fishing their entire lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

Thoreau, Henry David

How could there be any question of acquiring or possessing, when the one thing needful for a man is to become -- to be at last, and to die in the fullness of his being.

Saint-Exupery, Antoine De

Bring me men to match my mountains: Bring me men to match my plains: Men with empires in their purpose and new eras in their brains.

Foss, Sam Walter

No one sat me down with a piece of paper and said, ?This is what is expected of you. But I?m lucky enough in the fact that I have found my role I love being with people.?

Diana, Princess of Wales

Better to die of something than to die in old age of nothing.

Sharpman, Al

Be the business never so painful, you may have it done for money.

Fuller, Thomas

10.

Our chief usefulness to humanity rests on our combining power with high purpose. Power undirected by high purpose spells calamity, and high purpose by itself is utterly useless if the power to put it into effect is lacking.

Roosevelt, Theodore

11.

I live for my sons. I would be lost without them.

Diana, Princess of Wales

12.

You are only as strong as your purpose, therefore let us choose reasons to act that are big bold righteous and eternal.

Munro, Barry

13.

Nothing can resist the human will that will stake even its existence on its stated purpose.

Disraeli, Benjamin

14.

The only way you can be successful on a post or win at it is to be at cause over it.

Hubbard, L. Ron

15.

We need not only a purpose in life to give meaning to our existence but also something to give meaning to our suffering. We need as much something to suffer for as something to live for.

Hoffer, Eric

16.

Men achieve a certain greatness unawares, when working to another aim.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo

17.

The sense of paralysis proceeds not so much out of the mammoth size of the problem but out of the puniness of the purpose.

Cousins, Norman

18.

Are we interested in sight seeing or soul saving?

19.

It is your work in life that is your ultimate seduction.

Picasso, Pablo

20.

A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts. It may take the form of a spiritual ideal, or it may be a worldly object, according to his nature at the time being; but whichever it is, he should steadily focus his thought forces upon the object which he has set before him. He should make this purpose his supreme duty, and should devote himself to its attainment, not allowing his thoughts to wander away into ephemeral fancies, longings, and imaginings. This is the royal road to self-control and true concentration of thought. Even if he fails again and again to accomplish his purpose (as he necessarily must until weakness is overcome), the strength of character gained will be the measure of his true success, and this will form a new starting point for future power and triumph.

Allen, James

21.

What we determine we often break. Purpose is but the slave to memory.

Shakespeare, William

22.

The secret of man's being is not only to live but to have something to live for.

Dostoevsky, Fyodor

23.

I just wake up and say, You're a bum, go do something worthwhile today.

Brooks, Garth

24.

The purpose in life is to collaborate for a common cause; the problem is nobody seems to know what it is.

Gschwandtner, Gerhard

25.

Multitudes of people, drifting aimlessly to and fro without a set purpose, deny themselves such fulfillment of their capacities, and the satisfying happiness which attends it. They are not wicked, they are only shallow. They are not mean or vicious; they simply are empty -- shake them and they would rattle like gourds. They lack range, depth, and conviction. Without purpose their lives ultimately wander into the morass of dissatisfaction. As we harness our abilities to a steady purpose and undertake the long pull toward its accomplishment, rich compensations reward us. A sense of purpose simplifies life and therefore concentrates our abilities; and concentration adds power.

Hildebrand, Kenneth

26.

All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why.

Thurber, James

27.

Lack of something to feel important about is almost the greatest tragedy a man may have.

Morgan, Arthur E.

28.

Knowing our personal mission further enhances the flow of mysterious coincidences as we are guided toward our destinies. First we have a question, then dreams, daydreams, and intuitions lead us toward the answers, which usually are synchronistically provided by the wisdom of another human being.

Redfield, James

29.

He who clings to life shall lose it -- but losing it in a right cause will gain it.

30.

Your cause belongs to those that can avenge your wrongs.

Winkworth

31.

Don't become a wandering generality. Be a meaningful specific.

Ziglar, Zig

32.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [2 Corinthians 5:20]

Bible

33.

The secret to success is constancy to purpose.

Disraeli, Benjamin

34.

To be a Sufi is to cease from taking trouble; and there is no greater trouble for thee than thine own self, for when thou art occupied with thyself, thou remainest away from God.

Sa'id, Abu

35.

Once we are destined to live out our lives in the prison of our mind, our duty is to furnish it well.

Ustinov, Peter

36.

You, betrayed by time and space, Seek and find your proper place.

Wizard, Her Majesty's

37.

Never be afraid to treat the path alone. Know which is your path and follow it wherever it may lead you; do not feel you have to follow in someone else's footsteps.

Bellin, Gita

38.

Why do I not seek some real good; one which I could feel, not one which I could display?

Seneca

39.

What mankind wants is not talent; it is purpose.

Bulwer-Lytton, Edward G.

40.

They are not only idle who do nothing, but they are idle also who might be better employed.

Socrates

41.

The first principle of ethical power is Purpose. By purpose, I don't mean your objective or intention-something toward which you are always striving. Purpose is something bigger. It is the picture you have of yourself-the kind of person you want to be or the kind of life you want to lead.

Blanchard, Ken

42.

What allows us, as human beings, to psychologically survive life on earth, with all of its pain, drama, and challenges, is a sense of purpose and meaning

Angelis, Barbara De

43.

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. [Philippians 1:27]

Bible

44.

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house f the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. [Psalms 27:4]

Bible

45.

In a just cause the weak will beat the strong.

Sophocles

46.

The only failure a man ought to fear is failure in cleaving to the purpose he sees to be best.

Eliot, George

47.

Many good purposes lie in the churchyard.

Henry, Philip

48.

The aims of life are the best defense against death.

Levi, Primo

49.

The man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder -- waif, a nothing, a no man. Have a purpose in life, and, having it, throw such strength of mind and muscle into your work as God has given you.

Carlyle, Thomas

50.

Without knowing what I am and why I am here, life is impossible.

Tolstoy, Count Leo