These quotes taken from the book which is published in 1937, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill has become one of the most influential self-help books in history. Hill spent over 20 years studying some of the world’s most successful individuals, including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Andrew Carnegie, to uncover common principles that lead to wealth and achievement. This book isn’t just about financial wealth—it’s about creating a mindset of abundance and success in all areas of life.
Hill’s philosophy emphasizes concepts like desire, faith, persistence, and the power of the subconscious mind. These elements combine to shape our reality, helping us overcome obstacles and reach new heights. To inspire your journey, we’ve gathered 100 of the best quotes from Think and Grow Rich, organized by key themes. Let these quotes ignite your ambition and motivate you toward the life of your dreams.
1. On Desire and Ambition
In “Think and Grow Rich” Napoleon Hill emphasizes that a burning desire is the first step toward success. According to him, without a passionate goal, no other efforts will matter. Here are some powerful quotes that capture this theme:
- “The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind.”
- “Desire backed by faith knows no such word as impossible.”
- “Dreams are the seedlings of reality.”
- “You may as well know, right here, that you can never have riches in great quantities unless you work yourself into a white heat of desire for money, and actually believe you will possess it.”
- “Wishing will not bring riches. But desiring riches with a state of mind that becomes an obsession, then planning definite ways and means to acquire riches, and backing those plans with persistence—which does not recognize failure—will bring riches.”
- “The only limitation is that which one sets up in one’s own mind.”
- “To win requires definite goals and a burning desire to achieve them.”
- “No one is ready for a thing until they believe they can acquire it. The state of mind must be belief, not mere hope or wish.”
- “Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.”
- “A burning desire to be and to do is the starting point from which the dreamer must take off.”
- “Success requires no explanations; failure permits no alibis.”
- “Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once.”
- “When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound. Rebuild those plans and set sail once more toward your coveted goal.”
- “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.”
- “No one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as a reality.”
- “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”
- “Your greatest success will often be one step beyond your greatest setback.”
- “To achieve success, you must first believe it is possible.”
- “Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.”
- “The way of success is the way of continuous pursuit of knowledge.”
2. On Faith and Belief
In this Book “Think and Grow Rich”, Hill teaches that belief is the foundation of success. Faith is the fuel that turns thoughts into reality. Here are some insightful quotes on the power of belief:
- “Faith is the ‘eternal elixir’ which gives life, power, and action to the impulse of thought.”
- “What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
- “Faith removes limitations!”
- “Faith is the head chemist of the mind. When faith is blended with thought, the subconscious mind instantly picks up the vibration, translates it into its spiritual equivalent, and transmits it to Infinite Intelligence.”
- “Your belief, or faith, is the element that determines the action your subconscious mind will take on any suggestion or command.”
- “All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination. Imagination is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind energy into accomplishment and wealth.”
- “The mind grows strong and confident through the application of faith.”
- “It is essential for success to believe in oneself.”
- “Do not wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great.”
- “Faith is the ‘eternal elixir’ which gives life, power, and action to the impulse of thought.”
- “He who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled.”
- “Riches begin in the form of thought!”
- “Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts.”
- “Faith is necessary for the journey of success.”
- “The ability to reach your goal is directly connected to your willingness to believe you can.”
- “Close the door on fear and faith will open a window to freedom.”
- “As long as you have faith in yourself, nothing is impossible.”
- “Only those who are fearless can achieve their dreams.”
- “Every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent success.”
- “A mind dominated by positive emotions becomes a favorable home for faith.”
100 Best Quotes from Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
3. On Decision-Making
Hill notes that decisiveness is a trait of successful people. Those who take quick and firm decisions without wavering are more likely to achieve their goals. Here’s what Hill has to say about decision-making:
- “Successful people make decisions quickly and change them slowly.”
- “Indecision is the seedling of fear!”
- “Don’t wait. The time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand and work with whatever tools you may have at your command.”
- “Decision is the mastery over procrastination.”
- “Those who reach decisions promptly and definitely, know what they want, and generally get it.”
- “Every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent success.”
- “Procrastination is the bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday.”
- “Only those who make quick and firm decisions rise above mediocrity.”
- “Decide what you want, and be willing to pay the price.”
- “The successful person knows they have control over their thoughts and actions and uses that power effectively.”
- “Great achievement always requires great preparation.”
- “Time is the most valuable resource you have.”
- “In the end, a successful life is one built on a series of decisions.”
- “Successful people reach decisions promptly and change them, if at all, very slowly.”
- “The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it is conformity.”
- “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
- “Do not let yesterday take up too much of today.”
- “The door of opportunity is always unlocked for the prepared.”
- “When a man makes up his mind, he goes through hell and high water to accomplish what he set out to do.”
- “To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.”
4. On Persistence and Resilience
Hill argues that persistence is a vital key to achieving any goal. Without it, even the best-laid plans can fall apart. Here are some quotes on the power of perseverance:
- “Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.”
- “Without persistence, you will be defeated before you start. With persistence, you will win.”
- “You have a brain and mind of your own. Use it, and reach your own decisions.”
- “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.”
- “Those who win in any undertaking must be willing to burn their ships and cut all sources of retreat.”
- “If you do not see great riches in your imagination, you will never see them in your bank balance.”
- “Before success comes in any man’s life, he is sure to meet with much temporary defeat, and, perhaps, some failure.”
- “Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.”
- “Persistence is to the character of man as carbon is to steel.”
- “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”
- “The only real failure in life is the failure to try.”
- “Quitters never win, and winners never quit.”
- “Defeat is only temporary unless you accept it as permanent.”
- “Wealth begins with persistence.”
- “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort.”
- “Success is often a few steps beyond failure.”
- “Courage isn’t having the strength to go on—it’s going on when you don’t have strength.”
- “Keep on keeping on.”
- “Every setback carries the seeds of a comeback.”
- “Persistence ensures you will outlast the resistance.”
100 Best Quotes from Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
5. On Mastering the Mind
The control of one’s own mind is central to Hill’s philosophy. By training the mind, we become capable of transforming our thoughts into reality. Here are some quotes on mastering the mind:
- “Self-discipline begins with the mastery of your thoughts.”
- “Your only limitation is the one which you set up in your own mind.”
- “The mind grows rich with the things it feeds upon.”
- “Your subconscious mind makes no distinctions between constructive and destructive thoughts.”
- “You become what you think about most.”
- “Control your thoughts, and you will control your destiny.”
- “A positive mind attracts more of the things you desire and repels those you do not want.”
- “You are the master of your fate, the captain of your soul.”
- “The subconscious mind is more receptive to influence when thoughts are mixed with ‘feeling.’”
- “When you close the door of your mind to negative thoughts, the door of opportunity opens to you.”
- “The imagination is the most marvelous, miraculous, inconceivably powerful force the world has ever known.”
- “Thoughts are things.”
- “The key to success lies within.”
- “Mind is the master power that molds and makes.”
- “If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self.”
- “Every man’s life is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another.”
- “An idle mind soon becomes negative.”
- “Our life is what our thoughts make it.”
- “Thoughts and ideas are the most powerful of all.”
- “To control your life, control your mind.”
These 100 quotes from Think and Grow Rich by of Napoleon Hill’s teachings. Each quote of Think and Grow Rich serves as a reminder that success is within reach for those willing to work for it, believe in themselves, and maintain a persistent, positive mindset. Hill’s book is not just about growing financially but about achieving any goal by transforming one’s thoughts and habits.
If you want to create real change in your life, consider revisiting these principles regularly. With desire, faith, and the willingness to overcome any challenge, you’ll be on the path to realizing your greatest dreams.