55 Motivational William Arthur Ward Quotes For Success

William Arthur Ward (December 17, 1921–March 30, 1994) was an often quoted writer of inspirational maxims. More than 100 articles, poems, and meditations written by Ward were published in such magazines as Reader’s Digest, The Phi Delta Kappan, Science of Mind, and various Christian publications. His column “Pertinent Proverbs” was published by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and also in American service club publications. William Arthur Ward quotes about love, heart, teacher, leadership, risk, and smile that will inspire you in life.

Famous William Arthur Ward Quotes

1. “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” ― William Arthur Ward
2. “Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than belief: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.” ― William Arthur Ward
3. “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” ― William Arthur Ward
4. “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ― William Arthur Ward, William Arthur Ward quotes about teacher
5. “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
6. “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” —” ― William Arthur Ward
7. “When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.” ― William Arthur Ward
8. “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

9. “Prepare while others are daydreaming.” – William Arthur Ward

10. “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
11. “A life lived without forgiveness is a prison.” ― William Arthur Ward
12. “Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records. ” ― William Arthur Ward
13. “We can choose to throw stones, to stumble on them, to climb over them, or to build with them.” ― William Arthur Ward
14. “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

15. “Only the person who risks is truly free.” ― William Arthur Ward

16. “When we shut people out, we wall ourselves in;When we stop building bridges, we start erecting fences.” ― William Arthur Ward
17. “Three keys to more abundant living: caring about others, daring for others, sharing with others.” ― William Arthur Ward
18. “The greatest hazard in life is to risk NOTHING.” ― William Arthur Ward, William Arthur Ward quotes on risk
19. “Wise are those who learn that the bottom line doesn’t always have to be their top priority.” ― William Arthur Ward
20. “Lose yourself in generous service and every day can be a most unusual day, a triumphant day, an abundantly rewarding day!” ― William Arthur Ward
21. “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
22. “Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.” ― William Arthur Ward
23. “Optimists enrich the present, enhance the future, challenge the improbable and attain the impossible” ― William Arthur Ward
24. “Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.” ― William Arthur Ward

25. “Faith is knowing there is an ocean because you have seen a brook.” ― William Arthur Ward

26. “To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity” ― William Arthur Ward
27. “God gave you a gift of 86 400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you ” ― William Arthur Ward
28. “Work while others are wishing.” ― William Arthur Ward
29. “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it, if you can dream it, you can become it” ― William Arthur Ward
30. “It is wise to direct your anger towards problems — not people; to focus your energies on answers — not excuses.” ― William Arthur Ward
31. “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

32. “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

33. “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” ― William Arthur Ward
34. “Nothing limits achievement like small things; nothing expands possibilities like unleashed imagination.” ― William Arthur Ward
35. “Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.” ― William Arthur Ward
36. “We are more than what we do, much more than we accomplish, far more than what we passes.” ― William Arthur Ward
37. “Happiness is an inside job” ― William Arthur Ward
38. “We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.” ― William Arthur Ward

39. “The winner asks, May I help? the loser asks, Do you expect me to do that?” ― William Arthur Ward

40. “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
41. “Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, You miss them” ― William Arthur Ward
42. “The surest cure for loneliness,
    the quickest way to happiness,
    is found in this, a simple creed:
    Go serve someone in greater need.” ― William Arthur Ward
43. “We can learn much from wise words, little from wisecracks, and less from wise guys. ” ― William Arthur Ward
44. “Failure is delay but not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead-end street.” ― William Arthur Ward
45. “A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.” ― William Arthur Ward
46. “A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life.” ― William Arthur Ward

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

48. “Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character.” ― William Arthur Ward
49. “The optimist lives on the peninsula of infinite possibilities; the pessimist is stranded on the island of perpetual indecision.” ― William Arthur Ward
50. “I’ve always loved the idea of not being what people expect me to be.” ― William Arthur Ward
51. “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
52. “To laugh is to risk appearing a fool,
    To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
    To reach out to another is to risk involvement,
    To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self
    To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
    To love is to risk not being loved in return,
    To hope is to risk despair,
    To try is to risk failure.But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
    The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.
    He may avoid suffering and sorrow,
    But he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live.
    Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has forfeited all freedom.
    Only a person who risks is free.” ― William Arthur Ward

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

54. “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
55. “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