Think and Grow Rich

by Napoleon Hill

definiteness of purpose is the starting point from which one must begin.

Riches, when they come in huge quantities, are never the result of hard work! Riches come, if they come at all, in response to definite demands, based upon the application of definite principles, and not by chance or luck.

There is no standard price on ideas. The creator of ideas makes his own price, and, if he is smart, gets it.

Success requires no explanations failure permits no alibis

A quitter never wins and a winner never quits.

There is no hope of success for the person who does not have a central purpose, or definite goal at which to aim.

Lack of ambition to aim above mediocrity. We offer no hope for the person who is so indifferent as not to want to get ahead in life, and who is not willing to pay the price.

Any person who is educated is one who has learned to get whatever he wants in life without violating the rights of others.

Men are paid, not merely for what they know, but more particularly for what they do with that which they know.

Self-mastery is the hardest job you will ever tackle. If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self. You may see at one and the same time both your best friend and your greatest enemy, by stepping in front of a mirror.

Most of us go through life as failures, because we are waiting for the “time to be right” to start doing something worthwhile. Do not wait. The time will never be “just right.” Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.

Most of us are good “starters” but poor “finishers” of everything we begin.

There is no substitute for persistence.

Failure cannot cope with persistence.

Men who succeed reach decisions promptly, and change them, if at all, very slowly. Men who fail, reach decisions, if at all, very slowly, and change them frequently, and quickly.

Over-caution. The person who takes no chances, generally has to take whatever is left when others are through choosing.

Genuine wisdom is usually conspicuous through modesty and silence.

“Tell the world what you intend to do, but first show it.”

“Blessed is the man who, from the blackest depths, can see the luminous figure of love, and seeing, sing; and singing, say: ‘Sweeter far than uttered lays are the thoughts I have of you.’”