“Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
“Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won't work.”
“I never did anything by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work.”
“I find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.”
“Anything that won't sell, I don't want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success.”
“Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
“The three great essentials to achieve anything worth while are: Hard work, Stick-to-itiveness, and Common sense.”
“When I have fully decided that a result is worth getting I go ahead of it and make trial after trial until it comes.”
“His genius he was quite content in one brief sentence to define; Of inspiration one percent, of perspiration, ninety nine.”
“It is astonishing what an effort it seems to be for many people to put their brains definitely and systematically to work.”
“The first requisite for success is the ability to apply your physical and mental energies to one problem incessantly without growing weary.”
“Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.”
“Nearly every man who develops an idea works at it up to the point where it looks impossible, and then gets discouraged. that's not the place to become discouraged.”
“Waste is worse than loss. The time is coming when every person who lays claim to ability will keep the question of waste before him constantly. The scope of thrift is limitless.”
“Be courageous. I have seen many depressions in business. Always America has emerged from these stronger and more prosperous. Be brave as your fathers before you. Have faith! Go forward!”
“I know this world is ruled by infinite intelligence. Everything that surrounds us- everything that exists -- proves that there are infinite laws behind it. There can be no denying this fact. It is mathematical in its precision.”
“One might think that the money value of an invention constitutes its reward to the man who loves his work. But speaking for myself, I can honestly say this is not so... I continue to find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.”