William Arthur Ward > Quotes

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
― William Arthur Ward

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
― William Arthur Ward

“It is wise to direct your anger towards problems -- not people; to focus your energies on answers -- not excuses.”
― William Arthur Ward

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you.”
― William Arthur Ward

“A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strenghs; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities.”
― William Arthur Ward

“The adventure of life is to learn.
The purpose of life is to grow.
The nature of life is to change.
The challenge of life is to overcome.
The essence of life is to care.
The opportunity of like is to serve.
The secret of life is to dare.
The spice of life is to befriend.
The beauty of life is to give.”
― William Arthur Ward

“God gave you a gift of 86 400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you ”
― William Arthur Ward

“Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.”
― William Arthur Ward

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
― William Arthur Ward

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
― William Arthur Ward

“Every person has the power to make others happy.
Some do it simply by entering a room
others by leaving the room.
Some individuals leave trails of gloom;
others, trails of joy.
Some leave trails of hate and bitterness;
others, trails of love and harmony.
Some leave trails of cynicism and pessimism;
others trails of faith and optimism.
Some leave trails of criticism and resignation;
others trails of gratitude and hope.
What kind of trails do you leave?”
― William Arthur Ward

“Blessed is he who has learned to admire but not envy, to follow but not imitate, to praise but not flatter, and to lead but not manipulate.”
― William Arthur Ward

“Before you speak, listen.
Before you write, think.
Before you spend, earn.
Before you invest, investigate.
Before you criticize, wait.
Before you pray, forgive.
Before you quit, try.
Before you retire, save.
Before you die, give.”
― William Arthur Ward

“A life lived without forgiveness is a prison.”
― William Arthur Ward

“God gave you a gift of 84,600 seconds today. Have you used one of them to say thank you?”
― William Arthur Ward

“Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records. ”
― William Arthur Ward

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”
― William Arthur Ward, college administrator, writer (1921-1994)

“Before you act, listen.
Before you react, think.
Before you spend, earn.
Before you criticize, wait.
Before you pray, forgive.
Before you quit, try.”
― William Arthur Ward

“When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.”
― William Arthur Ward

“We can choose to throw stones, to stumble on them, to climb over them, or to build with them.”
― William Arthur Ward

“if you can imagine it, you can achieve it, if you can dream it, you can become it”
― William Arthur Ward

“Today is a most unusual day, because we have never lived it before; we will never live it again; it is the only day we have.”
― William Arthur Ward

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.”
― William Arthur Ward

“We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.”
― William Arthur Ward

“The optimist lives on the peninsula of infinite possibilities; the pessimist is stranded on the island of perpetual indecision.”
― William Arthur Ward

“A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition.”
― William Arthur Ward

“Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character.”
― William Arthur Ward

“A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities.”
― William Arthur Ward

“Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.”
― William Arthur Ward

“We must be silent before we can listen. We must listen before we can learn. We must learn before we can prepare. We must prepare before we can serve. We must serve before we can lead.”
― William Arthur Ward