Elbert Hubbard
199 quotes
Biography
Elbert Green Hubbard was an American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher. Raised in Hudson, Illinois, he had early success as a traveling salesman for the Larkin Soap Company.
"A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you."
"He has achieved success who has worked well, laughed often, and loved much."
"Life in abundance comes only through great love."
"The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed - it is a process of elimination."
"A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success."
"The line between failure and success is so fine that we scarcely know when we pass it: so fine that we are often on the line and do not know it."
"It may happen sometimes that a long debate becomes the cause of a longer friendship. Commonly, those who dispute with one another at last agree."
"Friendship, like credit, is highest when it is not used."
"Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit."
"I believe in the hands that work, in the brains that think, and in the hearts that love...I believe in sunshine, fresh air, friendship, calm sleep, beautiful thoughts."
"The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live."
"True life lies in laughter, love and work."
"Pray that success will not come any faster than you are able to endure it."
"The line between failure and success is so fine. . . that we are often on the line and do not know it."
"This will never be a civilized country until we expend more money for books than we do for chewing gum."
"How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience would have achieved success."
"Love, we say, is life; but love without hope and faith is agonizing death."
"Never explain - your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway."
"A failure is a man who has blundered but is not capable of cashing in on the experience."
"The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure criticism without resentment."
"Genius is often only the power of making continuous efforts. The line between failure and success is so fine that we scarcely know when we pass it — so fine that we are often on the line and do not know it. How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience, would have achieved success. As the tide goes clear out, so it comes clear in. In business sometimes prospects may seem darkest when really they are on the turn. A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success. There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no really insurmountable barrier save our own inherent weakness of purpose."
"Most Authors cringe and flatter and Fish for compliments. If they fail to get Applause, they say the World is a Scurvy Place and those who dwell therein a Dirty Lot: if they succeed, they give thanks to Nobody, saying they got only what their Meritt entitles them to. But I rather like the World. The Flesh is pleasing and the Devil does not trouble me."
"Every man should have a college education in order to show him how little the thing is really worth. The intellectual kings of the earth have seldom been college-bred."
"There is something that is much more scarce, something finer far, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability. The sternest comment that can be made against employers as a class lies in the fact that men of Ability usually succeed in showing their worth in spite of their employer, and not with his assistance and encouragement."
"Never explain — your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyhow."