Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotations on Realistic Expectations

The art of living lies not in eliminating but in growing with troubles.
Bernard M. Baruch (1870–1965) American Financier, Economic Consultant

It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.
Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian

It has been a thousand times observed, and I must observe it once more, that the hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowned with fruition.
Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet

There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but boys, it is all hell.
William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–91) American Military Leader, Businessperson, Educator

If you aspire to the highest place, it is no disgrace to stop at the second, or even the third, place.
Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer

Shall a man go and hang himself because he belongs to the race of pygmies, and not be the biggest pygmy that he can?
Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher

Prospect is often better than possession.
Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian

A fool or idiot is one who expects things to happen that never can happen.
George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist

We cannot all be masters,
nor all masters cannot he truly followed.
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright

Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster.
William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–91) American Military Leader, Businessperson, Educator

In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments—there are consequences.
Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–99) American Lawyer, Orator, Agnostic

I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
Edward Everett Hale (1822–1909) American Unitarian Clergyman, Writer

There is no such thing as pure pleasure; some anxiety always goes with it.
Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet

To seek fulfillment is to invite frustration.
Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986) Indian Philosopher

No one has ever loved anyone the way everyone wants to be loved.
Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author

It is only fools who keep straining at high C all their lives.
Charles Dudley Warner (1829–1900) American Essayist, Novelist

Life is so constructed that an event does not, cannot, will not, match the expectation.
Charlotte Bronte (1816–1855) English Novelist, Poet

May God … let me strive for attainable things.
Pindar (c.518–c.438 BCE) Greek Lyric Poet

We set up harsh and unkind rules against ourselves. No one is born without faults. That man is best who has fewest.
Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet

When one’s expectations are reduced to zero, one really appreciates everything one does have.
Stephen Hawking (1942–2018) English Theoretical Physicist, Cosmologist, Academic

Free man is by necessity insecure; thinking man by necessity uncertain.
Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher

It is enough that I am of value to somebody today.
Hugh Prather (b.1938) American Christian Author, Minister, Counselor

Nature is what you may do. There is much you may not do.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher

I sincerely wish war was a pleasanter and easier business than it is, but it does not admit of holidays.
Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State

Friendships aren’t perfect and yet they are very precious. For me, not expecting perfection all in one place was a great release.
Letty Cottin Pogrebin (b.1939) American Social Activist, Journalist

Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.
George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher

The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet

He that will have a perfect brother must resign himself to remain brotherless.
Italian Proverb

I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this Government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.
Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author

We would have to settle for the elegant goal of becoming ourselves.
William Styron (1925–2006) American Novelist, Essayist, Writer

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