Orison Swett Marden Quotes

A collection of quotes by Orison Swett Marden.

Orison Swett Marden was an American author and businessman, born on October 23, 1850, in Thornton Gore, New Hampshire. He is best known for his self-help books and as the founder of Success magazine.

Marden grew up in humble beginnings and faced numerous hardships during his childhood. Despite these challenges, he developed a strong determination to improve his circumstances and embarked on a lifelong journey of self-improvement. Through reading and studying successful individuals, he gained valuable insights into personal development, which he later shared through his writings.

In 1897, Marden published his breakthrough book, "Pushing to the Front," which quickly became a bestseller. He went on to write more than fifty successful books, many of which focused on topics like personal achievement, motivation, and overcoming obstacles.

Marden's works resonated with readers around the world, inspiring them to take control of their lives and pursue their dreams. His writing style was engaging, combining personal anecdotes, practical advice, and inspirational stories. Marden believed that anyone could achieve success if they had the right mindset, determination, and perseverance.

Additionally, Marden founded Success magazine in 1897, which aimed to provide guidance and inspire individuals on their path to success. The publication featured articles by prominent figures and became a widely recognized resource in the self-help genre.

Orison Swett Marden's enduring legacy lies in his contribution to the personal development field. His works continue to inspire and empower individuals, guiding them towards personal growth and achieving their goals. He passed away on March 1924, leaving behind a wealth of wisdom and inspiration for generations to come.

The world is full of human lobsters; men stranded on the roc

The world is full of human lobsters; men stranded on the rocks of indecision and procrastination, who, instead of putting forth their own energies, are waiting for some grand billow of good fortune to set them afloat.

Orison Swett Marden

Procrastination

Achievement is not always success, while reputed failure oft

Achievement is not always success, while reputed failure often is. It is honest endeavor, persistent effort to do the best possible under any and all circumstances.

Orison Swett Marden

Best

Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occ

Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities strong men make them.

Orison Swett Marden

Great

We can see the Divine in each speck of dust, but that doesn'

We can see the Divine in each speck of dust, but that doesn't stop us from wiping it away with a wet sponge. The Divine doesn't disappear; it's transformed into the clean surface.

Paulo Coelho


Joyfulness keeps the heart and face young. A good laugh make

Joyfulness keeps the heart and face young. A good laugh makes us better friends with ourselves and everybody around us.

Orison Swett Marden

Good

Power gravitates to the man who knows how.

Power gravitates to the man who knows how.

Orison Swett Marden

Power

A lobster, when left high and dry among the rock, does not h

A lobster, when left high and dry among the rock, does not have the sense enough to work his way back to the sea, but waits for the sea to come to him. If it does not come, he remains where he is and dies, although the slightest effort would enable him to reach the waves, which are perhaps within a yard of him. The world is full of human lobsters; people stranded on the rocks of indecision and procrastination, who, instead of putting forth their own energies, are waiting for some grand billow of good fortune to set them afloat.

Orison Swett Marden

Procrastination

The Universe is one great kindergarten for man. Everything t

The Universe is one great kindergarten for man. Everything that exists has brought with it its own peculiar lesson.

Orison Swett Marden

Great

Unless you have prepared yourself to profit by your chance,

Unless you have prepared yourself to profit by your chance, the opportunity will only make you ridiculous. A great occasion is valuable to you just in proportion as you have educated yourself to make use of it.

Orison Swett Marden

Great

All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim,

All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.

Orison Swett Marden

Great

The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you

The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.

Orison Swett Marden

Ability

But how shall I get ideas? Keep your wits open! Observe! Obs

But how shall I get ideas? Keep your wits open! Observe! Observe! Study! Study! But above all, Think! Think! And when a noble image is indelibly impressed upon the mind -- Act!

Orison Swett Marden

Ideas

Nothing else so destroys the power to stand alone as the hab

Nothing else so destroys the power to stand alone as the habit of leaning upon others. If you lean, you will never be strong or original. Stand alone or bury your ambition to be somebody in the world.

Orison Swett Marden

Action(s)

If we put the emphasis upon the right things, if we live the

If we put the emphasis upon the right things, if we live the life that is worth while and then fail, we will survive all disasters, we will out-live all misfortune. We should be so well balanced and symmetrical, that nothing which could ever happen could throw us off our center, so that no matter what misfortune should overtake us, there would still be a whole magnificent man or woman left after being stripped of everything else.

Orison Swett Marden

Honesty

There is something greater than wealth, grander even than fa

There is something greater than wealth, grander even than fame -- manhood, character, stand for success... nothing else really does.

Orison Swett Marden

Honesty

The influential man is the successful man, whether he be ric

The influential man is the successful man, whether he be rich or poor.

Orison Swett Marden

Leadership

Talk happiness. The world is sad enough without your woe.

Talk happiness. The world is sad enough without your woe.

Orison Swett Marden

Happiness

The glow of satisfaction which follows the consciousness of

The glow of satisfaction which follows the consciousness of doing our level best never comes to a human being from any other experience.

Orison Swett Marden

Happiness

If you do not feel yourself growing in your work and your li

If you do not feel yourself growing in your work and your life broadening and deepening, if your task is not a perpetual tonic to you, you have not found your place.

Orison Swett Marden

Pleasure

The beginning of a habit is like an invisible thread, but ev

The beginning of a habit is like an invisible thread, but every time we repeat the act we strengthen the strand, add to it another filament, until it becomes a great cable and binds us irrevocably thought and act.

Orison Swett Marden

Habits