H. Jackson Brown Jr. Quotes

“Hope is not a resting place but a starting point - a cactus, not a cushion.”

“Life doesn’t require that we be the best, only that we try our best.”

“Don’t overlook life’s small joys while searching for the big ones.”

“Your religion is what you do when the sermon is over.”

“Don’t pray only for things; pray also for wisdom and courage.”

“Don’t dismiss a good idea simply because you don’t like the source.”

“Never forget the three most powerful resources that you always have available to you: love, prayer and forgiveness.”

“Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.”

“I never expect to lose. Even when I’m the underdog, I still prepare a victory speech.”

“Swallowing angry words before you say them is better than having to eat them afterwards.”

“Never be ashamed of honest tears.”

“Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.”

“Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation.”

“You can get by on charm for about 15 minutes. After that, you better know something.”

“I’ve learned that education, experience, and memories are three things that no one can take away from you.”

“Remember that the more you know, the less you fear.”

“When facing a difficult task, act as though it is impossible to fail. If you are going after Moby Dick, take along the tartar sauce.”

“Listen to your critics; they will keep you focused and innovative. But don’t waste time responding to them.”

“Dishonesty is like a boomerang. About the time you think all is well, it hits you in the back of the head.”

“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.”

“Always remember that every person you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something.”

“Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.”

“Be as polite to the custodian as you are to the chairman of the board.”

“Judge your success by what you had to give up to get it.”

“Every person that you meet knows something you don't; learn from them.”

“Lose without excuses. Win without boasting.”

“Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.”

“Choose your life’s mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 percent of all your happiness or misery.”

“Remember, a good marriage is like a campfire. Both grow cold if left unattended.”

“In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.”

“Life doesn’t come with an instruction book; that’s why we have fathers.”

“Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor.”

“When starting out, don’t worry about not having enough money. Limited funds are a blessing, not a curse. Nothing encourages creative thinking in quite the same way.”

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”

“Remember that the biggest gap in the world is between ”I should” and ”I did.””

“Don't ever say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.”

“Don’t waste time waiting for inspiration. Begin, and inspiration will find you.”

“It doesn’t take talent to hustle.”

“You can’t hire someone to practice for you.”

“Remember that just the moment you say, ”I give up,” someone else seeing the same situation is saying, ”My, what a great opportunity.””

“Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.”

“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins, not through strength but by perseverance.”

“Don’t burn bridges. You’ll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.”

“Ask yourself if you would feel comfortable giving your two best friends a key to your house. If not, look for some new best friends.”

“Do your homework and know your facts, but remember it’s passion that persuades.”

“Earn your success based on service to others, not at the expense of others.”

“The happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”

“Never resist a generous impulse.”

“When lending people money, be sure their character exceeds their collateral.”

“Read carefully anything that requires your signature. Remember the big print giveth and the small print taketh away.”