142 Success Quotes

Success can mean different things to different people. For one person it may be reaching a long-held goal, while for another it may be overcoming a difficult season, building a meaningful life, or simply becoming a little better than yesterday. Whatever success looks like to you, it usually asks for effort, patience, perseverance, and the willingness to keep learning.

These success quotes offer encouragement about hard work, goals, resilience, attitude, failure, happiness, and personal growth. May they give you something useful to reflect on as you work toward your own definition of success. You may also enjoy this success poem and these quotes on winning.

Updated September 29, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.

Success Quotes To Motivate And Encourage You

Success often begins with the way we think and the willingness to keep moving. These quotes offer encouragement to believe in your abilities, recognize opportunity, and approach your goals with a positive attitude.

Be as upbeat as you can be. The basic success orientation is having an optimistic attitude.
John DePasquale

Having lived and having toiled, I'd like the world to find some little touch of beauty that my soul had left behind.
Edgar A. Guest, The Gentle Gardener

Anybody can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend’s success.”
Oscar Wilde

A successful journey consists of having a good relationship with all passengers, requiring that we give the best of ourselves.
Jean d'Ormesson, Train Of Life

As you celebrate another year of life, may your birthday ignite the fire of success within you. Embrace every opportunity, overcome every challenge, and let each milestone show your unwavering determination to achieve success in life no matter what your age is.
Catherine Pulsifer

You truly have been an inspiration. You are a picture of success
Kate Summers, We Wish You Well

Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.
Napoleon Bonaparte

For this be the measure of our success, the measure of all life's happiness: just how well we have moved ahead; or just how early our soul was dead!
Wilhelmina Stitch, Keep Moving

To try is better than the thing you try for
Author Unknown, To Try Is Better

Our success, you were the key encouraging us to be the best we could be.

Observe if you success would win the wealth of worth embodied in two little words: Be true.
Unknown, Be True

Success we’ll reap what we've sowed.
Catherine Pulsifer, Life Is Like A Garden

May no day be distressful. No night be filled with woe, and may you be successful wherever you may go.
Edgar A. Guest, A New Year's Toast

Desires bring needed fire to succeed, hold on tight and never concede.
Catherine Pulsifer, Live Your Passion

Achievement waits upon us all day, our future success is just one task away. Time it's something we can not replace, don't let procrastination be your fate
Catherine Pulsifer, Time Can't Be Replaced

Success, like happiness is more than a destination- it is a venture; more than an achievement - it is an attitude.
William Arthur Ward

Be willing to fail or succeed on who you really are. Don't ever try to be anything else.
Glenn Beck

Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified.
Samuel Johnson

A message of success in all you do; a message of love from me to you; a message of happiness through and through.
Kate Summers, Birthday Messages For My Brother

A prominent statesman, being asked to name the secret of political success in a single word, replied, "Stick-to-it-iveness,"
George Henry Hubbard, Perseverance and Tenacity

Find your purpose, you find your way. For life success that is the key with purpose a fuller life you will see.
Catherine Pulsifer, What's The Reason?

Success Quotes About Perseverance And Resilience

Success rarely follows a perfectly smooth path. These words remind us that persistence, resilience, hope, and the courage to continue can make a difference when progress feels slow or challenges arise.

You close the door to your success by entertaining one small fear. Think happiness, talk happiness, watch joy then coming near.
Wilhelmina Stitch

Even when faced with a failure, or with doubt, keep going as success could be just around the corner. Do not quit!
Catherine Pulsifer

Each success builds on itself bringing about confidence, letting go of doubt.
Catherine Pulsifer, My Motto

For resilience is the key to our success, and the foundation of our happiness.
Catherine Pulsifer, Resilience Is

We are so happy for your success - a new milestone in your path that you’ve paved.
Catherine Pulsifer, First Day Of School

God has helped me through days of educational strife, my success was allowed, through God's ever-faithful hand in life.
Catherine Pulsifer, Graduation Is Here

Through difficulties that daunted and pressured, you have defied the odds like a record-setter.
Catherine Pulsifer, You Cannot Deny

Your constant focus has met with success - today allows you to build dreams instead!
Catherine Pulsifer, So Proud Of You Daughter

I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite.
Gilbert K. Chesterton

Now I know that those who succeed best in life are always cheerful and hopeful people who go about their work with a smile on their face and take the chances and changes of this mortal life with humor and good cheer, facing rough and smooth alike as it comes.
Og Mandino

Willpower, the ability to control your attention, emotions, and desires, is a vital ingredient of any recipe for success, in personal, as well as professional life.
Joanna Jast, Hack Your Habits

Always, be first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds. Be last to criticize a colleague who fails.
Unknown, Always Be

I am a living testament you can be adopted and successful.
Daunte Culpepper

Optimism is the essence of our success. It drives our creativity and emboldens our entrepreneurial spirit. It is what makes us invest in the future and accomplish our highest aims.
Bill Frist

May success greet you at each new bend and joy and fulfillment be your lifelong friend
Catherine Pulsifer, As You Go Away

I learn lessons from my failure, and use those lessons to map out strategies to succeed. I'm always stronger than before. Failing to succeed!
Benjamin Kofi Quansah

There is always room at the top.
Daniel Webster

Success means being happy with who you are and bringing happiness to those around you.
Jane John Nwankwo

Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.
David Frost

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.
Dale Carnegie

Success Quotes About Hard Work And Determination

Dreams and plans matter, but effort turns them into progress. These quotes focus on hard work, determination, strength, discipline, and the steady actions that help us move toward success.

A person can succeed at almost anything for which they have unlimited enthusiasm.
Charles M. Schwab

One of the things I’ve learned that has made me very successful, I think, sometimes you just have to take a chance.
Heidi Hammel

I may not triumph in success, despite my earnest labour... This thought shall always dwell with me — I will be worthy of it.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox, I Will Be Worthy Of It

The choices you make determine your life - whether you are happy or sad, whether you look forward or back, whether you excel or are mediocre, whether you find success or not.
Catherine Pulsifer

It's serving, striving through strain and stress; It's doing your noblest-that's Success!
Berton Braley

It's not luck when success arrives, achievement means you worked and strived
Catherine Pulsifer, It Is Not Luck

We no longer live in a world where the “same old/ same old” is the path to success.
Steven Levi, Off The Wall Thinking

No man succeeds without a good woman behind him. Wife or mother, if it is both, he is twice blessed indeed.
Godfrey Winn

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.
Vince Lombardi Jr.

Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles.
Samuel Smiles

Fear can stop any progress it can stop our success.
Catherine Pulsifer, Overcome Your Fears

One’s best success comes after their greatest disappointments.
Henry Ward Beecher

The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.
Zig Ziglar

Nothing comes for free - we must work you see to achieve success is truly not effortless.
Catherine Pulsifer, Success In Life

The bird dares to break the shell, then the shell breaks open and the bird can fly openly. This is the simplest principle of success. You dream, you dare and and you fly.
Israelmore Ayivor

Every man who has made his mark will tell you that the chief factors are energy, confidence, indefatigable toil, readiness to learn,a determination which never relaxes its grip.
Unknown, What Makes Success

Success sits on a mountain of mistakes
Bangambiki Habyarimana

Perserverence is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

And I'm sure the wisest motto for success, in prose or rhyme, is that plain rule of the workers keeping at it all the time.
James Buckham, At It All The Time

Strength is success. Strength to be, strength to do...
Edward Evertt Hale

Success Quotes About Goals, Action And Progress

A goal gives us direction, but action carries us forward. These quotes reflect on setting goals, making choices, learning as we go, and taking the next practical step instead of waiting for success to arrive.

You think that the failures are many, you think the successes are few But you judge by the rule of the penny, and not by the good that men do.
Edgar A. Guest, The Real Successes

Quitting is never an option on the road to success. Find the way forward. If you have a positive mindset and are willing to persevere, there is little that is beyond your reach.
Roopleen

Our striving toward success, however, does not end at graduation, for we have a future yet to face.
M. E. H., Reached The Time

Great persons rise above adversity and attain new heights of achievement by turning ...Setbacks into successes
William Arthur Ward

It's not the storm that matters, it's the way we set our sails- enables us to steer our course through hardship and distress- and reach the peaceful harbour of a well-deserved success.
Patience Strong, Sailing Boat

If you wish success in life make perseverance your bosom friend
Webster, Success in Life

You also need a supportive set of subconscious beliefs in place if you really want to succeed.
Julie Ann Cairns, The Abundance Code

Successful people plan for failure.
Alex Altman, Time Is Money

My thanks to you will come by giving the best I have each day...my success is tied to you in every way.
Catherine Pulsifer, Words of Thank You

Succeed and give, 'twill help you live, but no one can help you die.
John A. Joyce, Love and Laughter

There's someone to share your happiness, someone to care when you win success
Douglas Malloch, Someone To Care

Let your first success be just a beginning. Let your dreams chase you.
Amit Ahlawat

This is the beginning of a new day....I want it to be gain and not loss; good and not evil; success and not failure
Dr. Heartsill Wilson, A New Day

Setting goals can help you attain the success you desire.
Catherine Pulsifer

Success is on the top of the hill reached by placing one foot in front of the other over and over and over again without faltering.
Robert Rivers

It is "luck" that gets them the new job, the new house, or the new car. But, luck has nothing to do with real earned success because success means that work comes first not the other way around.
Byron Pulsifer

Your attitude towards how you look at things - either a booster or a complainer - will determine your success!
Byron Pulsifer

What is the good, of it all unless there's ...someone to care when you win success
Douglas Malloch, Someone To Care

For success in life, talk a little but with action success will triple.
Catherine Pulsifer, Words Are Many

If success was attained only through desire then everyone wouldn't appreciate the strength of character it requires.
Theodore W. Higgingsworth

Success Quotes About Character, Happiness And Balance

Achievement is only one way to think about success. These quotes consider the importance of character, happiness, gratitude, relationships, health, and living in a way that feels meaningful as well as productive.

Joy sometimes comes to us as a result of us giving. It is a feeling of success and happiness.
Catherine Pulsifer

There are many keys to success, but being a positive influence on others is meaningful and a sign of success.
Catherine Pulsifer

Mistakes are a fact of life, but what you do once a mistake is made determines your success in life. We all have a choice about our attitude and what we learn.
Catherine Pulsifer

Our brains conceived, our two hands wrought But still the finest joy, indeed, is seeing some one else succeed.
Strickland Gillilan

Promise Yourself....To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
Christy Larson, Promise Yourself

And all the stings and bitter flings are wiped away upon the day success comes dancing down the way.
Edgar A. Guest, The Price Of Joy

Many times in life you see baby steps are meant to be Success does not happen overnight taking small steps, that is right.
Catherine Pulsifer, Life's Baby Steps

Its daily task was sweetly done, for work was happiness; the sunlight smiled complacently and gave to work success
Ellwood Haines Stokes, The Mountain Stream

Even if wishful thinkers had all the time in the world, they would never attain the pinnacles of success.
Byron R. Pulsifer

Hard work, determination, and persistence will lead to the smiles of success.
Velma Childs Bell, Roll up Your Sleeves, Get to Work...Teach the Children

You were not made for failure but success; not born for sorrow but for happiness
Wilhelmina Stitch, Hold Up Your Head

Follow your heart and life will bring a life that satisfies you and success in all you do.
Catherine Pulsifer, Find Your Passion

The man who earns a million, but destroys his health in the process is not really a success.
Zig Ziglar

When confronted by failure, disappointment, or rejection, it may be far easier simply to give up. But this attitude can spell the difference between long-term success and a series of defeat.
Amy E. Dean, Peace of Mind

The key to success, happiness, and abundance all sit within you.
Michael Austin Jacobs, Change Your Perspective, Change Your Life

If you can't be a highway, then just be a trail. If you can't be the sun be a star. It isn't by size that you win or you fail. Be the best of whatever you are.
Douglas Malloch

Behind every success story is usually someone who beat the obstacles because he or she refused to accept the pessimist's view.
Seymour Schulich, Get Smarter Life and Business Lessons

Show appreciation. When something kind is done to you, be thankful.
Carl Sommer, Teen Success in Career and Life Skills

But successful people don't make excuses, even when they could justify them. No matter what the circumstances, they make the best of things and keep moving forward.
John C. Maxwell, Your Road Map For Success

Work not just for the paycheck, but for yourself; you are the employer of your own success.
Catherine Pulsifer

Success Quotes About Dreams, Change And Possibility

Success often asks us to imagine something better and then remain open to change. These quotes encourage dreaming, learning, adapting, and seeing possibility even when the future is not completely clear.

... if you don’t also have the support of your subconscious beliefs, then you will remain frustrated in your efforts to succeed, no matter how much knowledge you have or how much effort you put in.
Julie Ann Cairns, The Abundance Code

Think this: "I'm going to win!' Think not on what has been. Think vict'ry — think ''I can!"
David V. Bush, Think Right

...skies seem always darkened by black clouds distressful; they strive to keep the clouds away until they are successful.
James Henry Thomas, Somewhere

Success never resides in the world of weak wishes but in the palace of purposeful plans and prayerful persistence.
William Arthur Ward, Up Words

Life and leadership will cause pain and suffering, but through the suffering, great learning, growth, and improvements lie ahead, once you find a way to endure.
David Hulings

I'm grateful for the failures I've had because those failures made me more successful.
Derek C. Doepker

For a successful and happier life being positive is always better. Never be influenced by negativity.
Catherine Pulsifer

The genuine possibility is for you to see; for you to plan to achieve, and for you to grasp hold of so strong that nothing will ever dissuade you from succeeding.
Byron Pulsifer

... the greatest chance for success will come to those who have the knowledge and skills to plan, implement, and evaluate appropriate programs.
James F. McKenzie, Planning, Implementing & Evaluating Health Promotion Programs

Dreaming is the first step to achieving your desires, taking action is the second step to success.
Catherine Pulsifer

Smile more and frown less will lead to happiness and success
Catherine Pulsifer, Smile More, Frown Less

A season ends and a new one begins - Don't lose your smile or your grin With a positive attitude with you - You will find success in all you do.
Catherine Pulsifer, Seasons Of Life

Find what you love - and do it! Life is too short to waste it doing something you don't enjoy.
Diann B. Murr, Wake Up Successful

There is need to unlock the untapped potentials in your mind, if you really want to be highly successful.
Greg Adenauer, Abundance

Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them.
Thomas Kinkade

All habits take time and patience to develop into success.
Benjamin Chapin, Think Positive

Successful people know the value of hard work but they also know the value of rest and relaxation.
Skip Powell, Success Habits 101

Success rule number one: Action initiated again and again and again always comes before the final goal is reached. Success rule number two: Repeat success rule number one.
Byron Pulsifer

Many successful people arrived at their niche in life through exposure and experimentation in areas that interested them.
Seymour Schulich, Get Smarter Life and Business Lessons

How we keep our composure during times when we feel impatient will lead to success in life challenges.
Catherine Pulsifer

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.
Colin Powell

Success Quotes About Failure, Learning And Moving Forward

Failure does not have to be the end of the story. These final quotes look at lessons, setbacks, preparation, confidence, and the determination to use experience as a reason to keep moving forward.

Therefore, if you are to emerge successful, you need to find a way of being continually motivated to change.
Nick Bell, Organize Yourself Starting Today!

Positive people have positive expectations in their lives and most of their days are successful.
Andrii Sedniev

Failures are the pillars of success.
Welsh Proverb

Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent.
Nolan Ryan

We are the architect of our own hurdles and we are the makers of our own success.
Charles Duncan

The best true stories of success are those people who see what could be, develop an action plan and decide that nothing will stand in the way that derails them from reaching their final destination
Byron Pulsifer

Success may have more to do with effectively balancing demands and priorities than simply winning.
Timothy Smith

For a short way ahead, when you've failed many times; there's success just awaiting for you; if you never give up, hang tight to the lines
David V. Bush, Never Say Die

Most of the time, the only thing that is holding you back from being successful is the fact that you do not believe you can be successful.
Riley Stevens, 50 Ways to Change Your Life in 50 Minutes

The most successful people see adversity not as a stumbling block, but as a stepping-stone to greatness.
Shawn Anchor

Independence is essential for permanent but fatal to immediate success.
Samuel Butler

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
Mignon McLaughlin

Interestingly enough, although kindness has a good chance of leading to success, kindness will always lead to happiness. So if you want to be happy, be kind.
David T. Fagan

The only question to ask yourself is, how much are you willing to sacrifice to achieve this success?
Larry Flynt

No one has ever achieved extreme success without being enthusiastic about taking action.
Noel N

We may recycle newspapers and glass and take proper satisfaction for doing so, but we remain caught in a web of spiritual assumptions about success and consumption, progress and waste that effectively undermine and trivialize our efforts to escape.
William H. Becker

So while the brilliant triflers failed with all their brains and push. Wise steady-going Johnny won by "sticking to his bush.
Nixon Waterman

Don't let lack of preparation be your obstacle to attain success. Start today.
Byron Pulsifer

Some people search their entire lifetime trying to find happiness and success. They never discover that the secret is all in how they think and how they view life.
Catherine Pulsifer

Winners know there is no ceiling on success. They make the "emotional buy" that they are good people who deserve their wins, and can work for even "MORE"!
Dr. Irene Kassorla, Go For It

Conclusion

Success is rarely the result of one big moment. More often, it grows from the choices we make each day - continuing after disappointment, learning from mistakes, working toward our goals, and recognizing progress even when it comes slowly.

May these success quotes remind you that your journey does not need to look like anyone else's. Decide what success means to you, keep taking purposeful steps in that direction, and remember to appreciate the growth and lessons you gain along the way.

More Quotes to Motivate, Encourage, and Inspire