This list of Wilferd Peterson quotes, initially featuring 40 quotes, has now been updated to include his 60 best quotes, offering an even broader perspective on his thought-provoking insights. These quotes, handpicked for their relevance and impact, reflect Peterson’s wisdom on various aspects of life, personal growth, and success.
Wilferd Peterson was an American author who lived from 1900 to 1995 and is regarded as one of the best-loved American writers of the 20th century. He was a frequent contributor to This Week magazine, Science of Mind magazine, and Readers Digest, and his inspirational essays have inspired generations.
Wilferd Peterson also published 10 books that have been translated into many languages. These books are The Art of Getting Along (1949), The Art of Living (1961), The New Book of the Art of Living (1962, 1963), More about the Art of Living (1966), Adventures in the Art of Living (1968), The Art of Living in the World Today (1969), The Art of Living Day by Day (1972), The Art of Living Treasure Chest (1977), The Art of Creative Thinking (1991), and The Art of Living: Thoughts on Meeting the Challenge of Life (1993).
As well as writing for respected magazines and publishing books, Wilferd Peterson’s quotes have become synonymous with inspiration and motivation. I hope you enjoy them!
60 Wilferd Peterson Quotes
- “Success is focusing the full power of all you are on what you have a burning desire to achieve.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Big thinking precedes great achievement.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The art of achievement is the art of making life – your life – a masterpiece.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Seek to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense of the crowded kindnesses of God in your daily life.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Walk boldly and wisely… There is a hand above that will help you on.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The house of achievement is entered by the door of perseverance. The road to achievement is long and rugged, and many fall by the wayside.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Happiness doesn’t come from doing what we like to do but from liking what we have to do.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Enthusiasm releases the drive to carry you over obstacles and adds significance to all you do.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow.” – Wilferd Peterson
- A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The art of love… is largely the art of persistence.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “To find a man’s true character, play golf with him.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Let your hook be always cast. In the pool where you least expect it, will be a fish.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “It is the quality of our work which will please God and not the quantity.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “True humility is intelligent self respect which keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves. It makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Enthusiasm is the dynamic motivator that keeps us persistently working toward our goals.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Joy is a light that fills you with hope and faith and love.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Be gentle with yourself, you’re doing the best you can.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The first step to becoming is to will it.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The supreme art of living is to strive to live each day well.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The art of reading between the lines is as old as manipulated information.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “To reach a great height a person needs to have great depth.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The art of communication is the language of leadership.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The art of being yourself at your best is the art of unfolding your personality into the person you want to be.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Joy increases as you give it, and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself. In giving it, you will accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The art of relaxation is a part of the art of working.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “A man’s greatest moments in life are those when he has worked his heart out and knows he has done his best.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The art of achievement is the art of making life – your life – a masterpiece.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Peace within is peace without.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The finest art of communication is not learning how to express your thoughts. It is learning how to draw out the thoughts of another.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Love overlooks faults, hatred magnifies them.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “A creative person is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Success in marriage is much more than finding the right person; it is being the right person.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Instead of worrying about what people say of you, why not spend time trying to accomplish something they will admire.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “As you think, you travel, and as you love, you attract.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The art of living lies less in eliminating our troubles than in growing with them.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds. The harvest can either be flowers or weeds.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “If you would be loved, love and be lovable.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The world of achievement has always belonged to the optimist.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Every problem has a gift for you in its hands.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.” – Wilferd Peterson
- “We find what we look for in life.” – Wilferd Peterson
