Quotes by Dale Carnegie

The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way.

Most of us have far more courage than we ever dreamed we possessed.

This is the only chance you will ever have on earth with this exciting adventure called life. So why not plan it, and try to live it as richly, as happily as possible?

Knowledge isn't power until it is applied.

Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed no hope at all.

So the only way on earth to influence the other fellow is to talk about what he wants and show him how to get it.

Our hate is not hurting them at all, but our hate is turning our days and night into a hellish turmoil.

So, to prevent fatigue and worry, the first rule is: Rest often. Rest before you get tired.

Throw yourself into some work you believe in with all you heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours.

Actions speak louder than words, and a smile says, 'I like you. You make me happy. I am glad to see you.'

Do the thing you fear, and continue to do so. This is the quickest and surest way of all victory over fear.

One reason why birds and horses are happy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses.

Remember, happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have, it depends solely upon what you think.

When the fierce, burning winds blow over our lives-and we cannot prevent them-let us, too, accept the inevitable. And then get busy and pick up the pieces.

You'll never achieve real success unless you like what you're doing.

When fate hands you lemons, make lemonade.

I have come to the conclusion that there is only one way under high heaven to get the best of an argument-- and that is to avoid it. Avoid it as you would avoid rattlesnakes and earthquakes.

People say I'm cocky, but am I supposed to sit here and be insecure and not know where my future's going or not realize that moviemaking is the greatest thing to happen to me?

Let's fight for our happiness by following a daily program of cheerful and constructive thinking.

Nobody kicks a dead dog.

The best argument is that which seems merely an explanation.

If you want to be enthusiastic,
act enthusiastic.

Let us praise even the slightest improvement. That inspires the other person to keep on improving.

Monotony reveals our limitations.

Doing business in the digital age is predicated on doing the business of humanity well.

You can sing only what you are. You can paint only what you are. You must be what your experiences, your environment, and your heredity have made you. For better or for worse, you must play your own little instrument in the orchestra of life.

People are not interested in you. They are not interested in me. They are interested in themselves -- morning, noon and after dinner.

Face the thing that seems overwhelming and you will be surprised how your fear will melt away.

There's magic, positive magic, in such phrases as: I may be wrong. I frequently am. Let's examine the facts.

History has repeatedly been changed by people who had the desire and the ability to transfer their convictions and emotions to their listeners.

A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. Intelligence is like underwear, everyone has it, but you don't have to show it off. The expression a woman wears on her face is more important than the clothes she wears on her back.

When I asked him -Mr.Henry Ford- if he ever worried, he replied: No. I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe that every-thing will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about?

Every minister, lecturer and public speaker know the discouragement of pouring himself of herself out to an audience and not receiving a single ripple of appreciative comment.

People trudge through most days with little excitement in their lives. But our digital age provides so many opportunities to give people an authentic view of who you are or what your company strives to be, thus creating touch points of commonality that draw you into closer friendship with others.

The ideas I stand for are not mine. I borrowed them from Socrates. I swiped them from Chesterfield. I stole them from Jesus. And I put them in a book.

Seventy per cent of all patients who come to physicians could cure themselves if they got rid of their fears and worries.

Instead of condemning people, let's try to understand them. Let's try to figure out why they do what they do. That's a lot more profitable and intriguing than criticism; and it breeds sympathy, tolerance and kindness.

There is no such thing as constructive criticism.

Don't Criticize, Condemn, Or Complain.

So if you aspire to be a good conversationali st, be an attentive listener.

Good leaders are scarce; so I'm following myself.

I deal with the obvious. I present, reiterate, and glorify the obvious -- because the obvious is what people need to be told.

The ability to speak well is the shortcut to distinction.

A barber lathers a man before he shaves him.

The words Think and Thank are inscribed in many of the Cromwellian churches of England. These words ought to be inscribed in our hearts, too: Think and Thank. Think of all we have to be grateful for, and thank God for all our boons and bounties.

Flattery is counterfeit, and like counterfeit money, it will eventually get you into trouble if you pass it to someone else.

People aren't interested in you. They're interested in themselves.

Create accomplishment from disappointments. Demoralization and disappointment are two of the surest going stones to achievement.

There is a certain degree of satisfaction in having the courage to admit one's errors.

Remember that no one ever kicks a dead dog.

Life is bigger than processes and overflows and dwarfs them.

There is a reason why the other man thinks and acts as he does. Ferret out that reason -- and you have the key to his actions, perhaps to his personality. Try honestly to put yourself in his place.

If you have worries, there is no better way to eliminate them than by walking them off. Just take them out for a walk. They may take wings and fly away!

Naturalness is the easiest thing in the world to acquire, if you will forget yourself-forget about the impression you are trying to make.

Tell me what gives a man or woman their greatest pleasure and I'll tell you their philosophy of life.

If we think happy thoughts, we will be happy. If we think miserable thoughts, we will be miserable.

When the friendly jailer gave Socrates the poison cup to drink, the jailer said: Try to bear lightly what needs must be. Socrates did. He faced death with a calmness and resignation that touched the hem of divinity.

Take stock of your fears now and see how many of them are senseless. If you are honest with yourself you will probably find most of them are groundless.

Obviously, circumstances alone do not make us happy or unhappy. It is the way we react to circumstances that determines our feelings. Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is within you. That is where the kingdom of hell is, too.

I can look back at my own life and see where a few words of praise have sharply changed my entire future. Can't you say the same thing about your life?

Do the very best you can.

Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down. And this is all that life really means.

You never achieve success unless you like what you are doing.

Patience and perserverance will accomplish more in this world than a brilliant dash. Remember that when something goes wrong.

You can get ahead in the world. But you will have to work, you will have to want tremendously to accomplish something, and then be willing to pay the price. Are you willing?

We talk a lot about the importance of physical exercise to wake us
up out of the half sleep in which so many of us walk around. But we need, even more, some spiritual and mental exercises every morning to stir us into action. Give yourself a pep talk every day.

Always have something to say. The man who has something to say and who is known never to speak unless he has, is sure to be listened to.

Criticism is futile because it puts a person on the defensive and usually makes them strive to justify themselves. Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a person's precious pride, hurts their sense of importance, and arouses resentment.

Almost all the progress ever made in human thought has been made by the Doubting Thomas's, the questioners, the challengers, the show-me crowd.

Dealing with people is probably the biggest problem you face, especially if you are in business. Yes, and that is also true if you are a housewife, architect or engineer.

In a Nutshell -- Fundamental Techniques In Handling People; Principle 1 -- Don't criticize, condemn or complain; Principle 2 -- Give honest and sincere appreciation; Principle 3 -- Arouse in the other person an eager want.

An effective speaker knows that the success or failure of his talk is not for him to decide -- it will be decided in the minds and hearts of his hearers.

The best things in life are yours, if you can appreciate yourself.

The world is filled with interesting things to do. Don't lead a dull life in such a thrilling world.

For better or worse, you must play your own little instrument in the orchestra of life.

I honestly believe that this is one of the greatest secrets to true peace of mind -- a decent sense of values. We could annihilate 50 percent of all our worries at once if we would develop a sort of private gold standard -- a gold standard of what things are worth to us in terms of our lives.

All the king's horses and all the king's men can't put the past together again. So let's remember: Don't try to saw sawdust.

The two highest levels of influence are achieved when 1) people follow you because of what you've done for them, and 2) people follow you because of who you are. In other words, the highest levels of influence are reached when generosity and trustworthiness surround your behavior.

Unjust criticism is usually disguised compliment. It often means that you have aroused jealously and envy. Remember that no one ever kicks a dead log.

If you want to be happy, set yourself a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes. Happiness is within you. It comes from doing some certain thing into which you can put all your thought and energy. If you want to be happy, get enthusiastic about something.

Arouse in the other person an eager want.

Let the other person save face.

Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.

Make the other person feel important -- and do it sincerely.

Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.

If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.

Talk in terms of the other person's interests.

Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise.

Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.

Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas and desires.

Become genuinely interested in other people.

Stop and look out the window and see how beautiful the world is. It is there - enjoy it. Go out tonight and look up at the stars. They are the wonders of nature.

The most important thing in life is not simply to capitalize on your gains. Any fool can do that. The important thing is to profit from your losses. That requires intelligence, and makes the difference between a man of sense and a fool.

Live an active life among people who are doing worthwhile things, keep eyes and ears and mind and heart open to absorb truth, and then tell of the things you know, as if you know them. The world will listen, for the world loves nothing so much as real life.

I know men and women can banish worry, fear and various kinds of illnesses, and can transform their lives by changing their thoughts. I know! I know! I know! I have seen such incredible transformations performed hundreds of times. I have seen them so often that I no longer wonder at them.

If you have some idea you believe in, don't listen to the croaking chorus. Listen only to what your own inner voice tells you.

If you can be sure of being right only 55 percent of the time, you can go down to Wall Street and make a million dollars a day. If you can't be sure of being right even 55 percent of the time, why should you tell other people they are wrong?

It isn't work that makes you tired, it's your mental attitude.

Today is the only time we can possibly live.

By fighting you never get enough, but by yielding you get more than you expected.

When ill luck besets us, to ease the tension we have only to remember that happiness is relative. The next time you are tempted to grumble about what has happened to you, why not pause and be glad that it is no worse than it is.

It was this desire for a feeling of importance that led an uneducated, poverty-stricken grocery clerk to study some law books he found in the bottom of a barrel of household plunder that he had bought for fifty cents. You have probably heard of this grocery clerk. His name was Lincoln.

Criticisms are like homing pigeons. They always return home.

Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto.

Much of the best work of the world has been done against seeming impossibilities.

The difference between a grave and a rut are the dimensions.

Self-expression is the dominant necessity of human nature.

When two partners always agree, one of them is not necessary. If there is some point you haven't thought about, be thankful if it is brought to your attention.

If you argue and rankle and contradict, you may achieve a victory sometimes; but it will be an empty victory because you will never get your opponent's good will.

Close your eyes. You might try saying... something like this: The sun is shining overhead. The sky is blue and sparkling. Nature is calm and in control of the world-and I, as nature's child, am in tune with the Universe. Or-better still-pray!

If we are so contemptibly selfish that we can't radiate a little happiness and pass on a bit of honest appreciation without trying to screw something out of the other person in return--if our souls are no bigger than sour crab apples, we shall meet with the failure we so richly deserve.

The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.

Try leaving a trail of little sparks of gratitude on your daily trips. You will be surprised how they will set small flames of friendship that will be rose beacons on your next visit.

Whenever Roosevelt (Theodore) expected a visitor, he sat up late the night before, reading up on the subject in which he knew his guest was particularly interested. For Roosevelt knew, all the leaders royal road to a person's heart is to talk about the things he or she treasures most.

The difference between appreciation and flattery? That is simple. One is sincere and the other insincere. One comes from the heart out; the other from the teeth out. One is unselfish; the other selfish. One is universally admired; the other universally condemned.

Success in dealing with people depends on sympathetic grasp of the other person's viewpoint.

Good speakers usually find when they finish that there have been four versions of the speech: the one they delivered, the one they prepared, the one the newspapers say was delivered, and the one on the way home they wish they had delivered.

An old man was asked what had robbed him of joy in his life. His reply was, Things that never happened.

If some people are so hungry for a feeling of importance that they actually go insane to get it, imagine what miracle you and I can achieve by giving people honest appreciation this side of insanity.

Give Honest and Sincere Appreciation.

The chronic kicker, even the most violent critic, will frequently soften and be subdued in the presence of a patient, sympathetic listener-- a listener who will be silent while the irate fault-finder dilates like a king cobra and spews the poison out of his system.

Our trouble is not ignorance, but inaction.

You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world's happiness now. How? By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.

Listen first. Give your opponents a chance to talk. Let them finish. Do not resist, defend or debate. This only raises barriers. Try to build bridges of understanding.

Practice, practice, practice in speaking before an audience will tend to remove all fear of audiences, just as practice in swimming will lead to confidence and facility in the water. You must learn to speak by speaking.

If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there and worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the loss of sleep.

Most people don't remember names, for the simple reason that they don't take the time and energy necessary to concentrate and repeat and fix names indelibly in their minds. They make excuses for themselves; they are too busy.

Each party should gain from the negotiation.

Three-fourths of the people you will ever meet are hungering and thirsting for sympathy. Give it to them, and they will love you.

Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs.

Once you have made a careful decision based on facts, go into action. Don't stop to reconsider. Don't begin to hesitate, worry, and retrace your steps. Don't lose yourself in self-doubting which begets other doubts. Don't keep looking back over your shoulder.

Flaming enthusiasm, backed by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.

Nobody is more persuasive than a good listener.

All men have fears, but the brave put down their fears and go forward, sometimes to death, but always to victory.

Begin with praise and honest appreciation.

Life truly is a boomerang. What you give, you get.

Names are the sweetest and most important sound in any language.

An hour of planning can save you 10 hours of doing.

When we hate our enemies, we are giving them power over us: power over our sleep, our appetites, our blood pressure, our health, and our happiness.

Today is our most precious possession. It is our only sure possession.

You can measure the size of a person by what makes him or her angry.

To be interesting, be interested.

Our thoughts make us what we are.

We are gods in the chrysalis.

Make a man laugh a good hearty laugh, and you've paved the way for friendship. When a man laughs with you, he, to some extent, likes you.

Pay less attention to what men say. Just watch what they do.

John Wanamaker, founder of the stores that bear his name, once confessed: I learned thirty years ago that it is foolish to scold. I have enough trouble overcoming my own limitations without fretting over the fact that God has not seen fit to distribute evenly the gift of intelligence.

Let's not allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. Remember Life is too short to be little.

Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see bird that had the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses.

Learning is an active process. We learn by doing.. Only knowledge that is used sticks in your mind.

Every day I pray. I yield myself to God and the tensions and anxieties go out of me and peace and power come in.

If half a century of living has taught me anything at all, it has taught me that nothing can bring you peace but yourself.

Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.

In order to make friends you must first be friendly.

Don't be afraid of enemies who attack you. Be afraid of the friends who flatter you.

Abilities wither under criticism; they blossom under encouragement.

Believe that you will succeed, and you will.

If you are not in the process of becoming the person you want to be, you are automatically engaged in becoming the person you don't want to be.

Take charge of your attitude.
Don't let someone else choose it for you.

The best possible way to prepare for tomorrow is to concentrate with all your intelligence, all your enthusiasm, on doing today's work superbly today. That is the only possible way you can prepare for the future.

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.

It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.

Only the prepared speaker deserves to be confident.

There are always three speeches, for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.

If only the people who worry about their liabilities would think about the riches they do possess, they would stop worrying.

If you want to gather honey, don't kick over the beehive.

You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind.

There is only one way... to get anybody to do anything. And that is by making the other person want to do it.

Applause is a receipt, not a bill.

Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude.

People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.

Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours.

Our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration and resentment.

Fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind.

Fear not those who argue but those who dodge.

The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.

We all have possibilities we don't know about. We can do things we don't even dream we can do.

There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it.