William Arthur Ward Quotes

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.

To bear defeat with dignity, to accept criticism with poise, to receive honors with humility -- these are marks of maturity and graciousness.

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?

Optimists enrich the present, enhance the future, challenge the improbable and attain the impossible.

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. Today can be a healthy unusual day for you -- and for others -- if you take time to give someone a smile . . . to express a word of kindness . . . to lend a helping hand to someone in need . . . to write a note of gratitude . . . to give a word of encouragement to someone who is temporarily overcome with problems . . . to share a portion of your material possessions with others.

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.

Faith sees a beautiful blossom in a bulb, a lovely garden in a seed, and a giant oak in an acorn.

Friendship flourishes at the fountain of forgiveness.

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?"

It is wise to direct your anger towards problems - not people; to focus your energies on answers - not excuses.

It is wise to direct your anger towards problems -- not people; to focus your energies on answers -- not excuses.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

The more generous we are, the more joyous we become. The more cooperative we are, the more valuable we become. The more enthusiastic we are, the more productive we become. The more serving we are, the more prosperous we become.

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.

To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity.

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.

We can learn much from wise words, little from wisecracks, and less from wise guys.

When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.

Wise are they who have learned these truths: Trouble is temporary. Time is tonic. Tribulation is a test tube.

Wise are those who learn that the bottom line doesn't always have to be their top priority.

A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition.

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.

A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life.

Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.

Change, like sunshine, can be a friend or a foe, a blessing or a curse, a dawn or a dusk.