American Quotes

I just prefer wood. I like the smell. To me, it's a lot cheaper than electric or gas, and it's more convenient. It's just a better heat to me.

My Daddy liked physical fitness and wanted me to be a prizefighter.

John Henry Lloyd is the man I gave the credit to for polishing my skills. He taught me how to play third base and how to protect myself. John taught me more baseball than anyone else.

You spend so much time in your profession it ought to be something you love.

When I go in to see people - and I sell an occasional ad now - I never say, 'Help me because I am black' or 'Help me because I am a minority.' I always talk about what we can do for them.

Failure is a word that I simply don't accept.

My mother was the influence in my life. She was strong; she had great faith in the ultimate triumph of justice and hard work. She believed passionately in education.

Every day I run scared. That's the only way I can stay ahead.

All have disappointments, all have times when it isn't worthwhile.

It's better to get smart than to get mad. I try not to get so insulted that I will not take advantage of an opportunity to persuade people to change their minds.

To succeed, one must be creative and persistent.

Dream small dreams. If you make them too big, you get overwhelmed and you don't do anything. If you make small goals and accomplish them, it gives you the confidence to go on to higher goals.

Two to three years down the road, other companies not on a model like Dell's will be in trouble.

The other thing was that when I was at the University of Miami, we ran a pro-style offense and defense. I started each year by going to a pro training camp, I visited with various pro coaches, and I did this for five years.

Military leaders aren't made. They are born. To be a good leader, you have to have something in your character to cause people to follow you.

I can't confirm any rumors. I'm happy doing what I'm doing. I have no interest in going back to coaching.

But I was always a bit of a gypsy, anyway. I spent five years at Oklahoma State, five years at Miami and moved on after winning the national championship, and five years with the Cowboys. So, I was ready to move on. We won back-to-back Super Bowls, and I felt that I accomplished what I wanted to acc

And the main thing was that I wanted to live in south Florida. That's why I left the Cowboys; to live in south Florida.

An objective truth and individual reason are feared above all.

Give people enough guidance to make the decisions you want them to make. Don't tell them what to do, but encourage them to do what is best.

Do you want to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great?

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.

The only thing worse than a coach or CEO who doesn't care about his people is one who pretends to care. People can spot a phony every time.

Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a person as if he were where he could be and should be, and he will become what he could be and should be.

The peculiar fascination which the South held over my imagination and my limited capital decided me in favor of Atlanta University; so about the last of September I bade farewell to the friends and scenes of my boyhood and boarded a train for the South.

The battle was first waged over the right of the Negro to be classed as a human being with a soul; later, as to whether he had sufficient intellect to master even the rudiments of learning; and today it is being fought out over his social recognition.

Southern white people despise the Negro as a race, and will do nothing to aid in his elevation as such; but for certain individuals they have a strong affection, and are helpful to them in many ways.

Shortly after this I was made a member of the boys' choir, it being found that I possessed a clear, strong soprano voice. I enjoyed the singing very much.

She was my first love, and I loved her as only a boy loves.

Northern white people love the Negro in a sort of abstract way, as a race; through a sense of justice, charity, and philanthropy, they will liberally assist in his elevation.