Subject: Success

The theory seems to be that as long as a man is a failure he is one of God's children, but that as soon as he succeeds he is taken over by the Devil.

(1880 – 1956) journalist, essayist, editor & satirist
Beliefs Failure God Success

If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z; work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.

(1879 – 1955) German-born physicist
Life Success

Never fret for an only son, the idea of failure will never occur to him.

(1856 – 1950) Irish playwright & socialist
Failure Problems Success

Success is the one unpardonable sin against our fellows.

(1842 – 1914) author & satirist
Success

Authors want their names down in history; I want to keep the smoke coming out of the chimney.

(1918 – 2006) American writer
Money Success Work

The only winner in the War of 1812 was Tchaikovsky.

David Gerrold (1944 – ) science fiction author
Entertainment Music Success

I want to succeed in America where, unlike Britain, they do not regard ambition as being the same as eating babies.

(1962 – ) English stand-up comedian & actor
America Places Success

If at first you don't succeed, failure may be your style.

(1908 – 1999) English writer
Failure Problems Success

If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving definitely isn’t for you.

(1955 – ) comedian, actor & writer
Success

Jack Benny's ability on the violin was legendary; everybody knew he had none.

(1896 – 1996) comedian, actor & entertainer
Entertainment Music Success Things

Do well and you will have no need for ancestors.

(1694 – 1778) French author, humanist & satirist
Life Success

If you think you can, you’re right; and if you think you can’t, you’re right.

(1918 – 2001) American businesswoman & founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics
Success Work

Elvis transcends his talent to the point of dispensing with it altogether.

(1945 – ) author, music journalist & cultural critic
People Situations Success

The two leading recipes for success are building a better mousetrap and finding a bigger loophole.


Success Things

Today’s public figures can no longer write their own speeches or books, and there is some evidence that they can’t read them either.

(1925 – 2012) author, playwright, essayist & screenwriter
Communication Reading/Writing Speech Success

I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.

(1935 – ) screenwriter, author, director & producer
Success

We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.

Samuel Clemens (1835 – 1910) author & humorist
Characteristics Success

You’re not famous until my mother has heard of you.

(1950 – ) comedian & television host
Mothers Success

Hollywood is a place where people from Iowa mistake each other for a star.

(1894 – 1956) American radio comedian
Hollywood Places Success

There is no deodorant like success.

(1932 – 2011) British-American actress
Success

Success means only doing what you do well, letting someone else do the rest.

Murphy’s Laws Success Work