Quotes by William Arthur Ward


When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.
– William Arthur Ward

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
– William Arthur Ward
A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition.
– William Arthur Ward
A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.
– William Arthur Ward
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
Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.
– William Arthur Ward
Change, like sunshine, can be a friend or a foe, a blessing or a curse, a dawn or a dusk.
– William Arthur Ward
Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.
– William Arthur Ward
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
– William Arthur Ward
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
Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.
– William Arthur Ward
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you?
– William Arthur Ward
Happiness is an inside job.
– William Arthur Ward
Humanity either makes, or breeds, or tolerates all its afflictions.
– William Arthur Ward
In life, satisfaction is experienced when activities are brought to a state of completion. Loss of energy and loss of control are functions of incompletion. The result of completing things releases one's ability to create. Prioritize any items that need to be completed, set a completion date, then do it.
– William Arthur Ward
It is wise to direct your anger towards problems - not people; to focus your energies on answers - not excuses.
– William Arthur Ward
Lose yourself in generous service and every day can be a most unusual day, a triumphant day, an abundantly rewarding day!
– William Arthur Ward
Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.
– William Arthur Ward
Opportunity is often difficult to recognize; we usually expect it to beckkon us with beepers and billboards.
– William Arthur Ward
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
– William Arthur Ward
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.
– William Arthur Ward
To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity.
– William Arthur Ward
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
We can learn much from wise words, little from wisecracks, and less from wise guys.
– William Arthur Ward
Wise are they who have learned these truths: Trouble is temporary. Time is tonic. Tribulation is a test tube.
– William Arthur Ward
Wise are those who learn that the bottom line doesn't always have to be their top priority.
– William Arthur Ward
If you can imagine it,
You can achieve it.
If you can dream it,
You can become it.
– William Arthur Ward
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