Dale Carnegie Quotes

On trying too hard to be impressive at a first meeting:

You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.

On why a logical argument is not winning someone over:

When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion.

On the urge to call someone out publicly:

Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do.

On making someone feel truly seen in conversation:

Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.

On treating a failed project as data instead of a verdict:

Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.

On betting on effort and attitude over raw talent:

Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.

On the urge to blast someone with criticism instead of resolving the issue:

If you want to gather honey, don't kick over the beehive.

On getting buy in instead of issuing an order:

There is only one way to get anybody to do anything, and that is by making the other person want to do it.

On a circumstance you cannot change but keep dwelling on:

It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.

On waiting for someday to start actually living:

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses.

Reconsidering whether the goal you are chasing will actually satisfy you:

Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.

Deciding whether to push through after repeated setbacks:

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.

Choosing to act instead of managing your reputation:

Instead of worrying about what people say of you, why not spend time trying to accomplish something they will admire.

Facing a decision you have been avoiding out of fear:

Fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind.

Deciding whether to keep delaying a decision for someday:

Today is life, the only life you are sure of.

Deciding how to reconnect with someone who has drifted from you:

The royal road to a man's heart is to talk to him about the things he treasures most.

Deciding how to show up in a new relationship or friendship:

To be interesting, be interested.