At the beginning, you are 20 and you can just imagine... don't get me wrong, but having money. Then you realise that it's not only about you and what you are doing but that you have to give back.
Interpretation
Initial ambitions of wealth evolve into a broader understanding of responsibility and giving back.
In this quote, Thierry Henry reflects on the transformation in perspective that often happens as one grows older. At a younger age, the focus may be on personal success and financial gain, but as life progresses, individuals often come to understand the importance of contributing to others and making a positive impact on their community and the world at large. This realization underscores the value of altruism over mere self-interest.
In practice
Use this quote during a speech at a charity event to emphasize the importance of giving back.
My dad always taught me to never be satisfied: to want more and know that what is done is done. That was his way of seeing the game. You've done it, now move on. People might say, 'Well, when can you enjoy it?' But it worked for me because, in the game, you need to be on your toes.
I always have a football handy at home, and I'll play with it. Sometimes it'll get on my wife's nerves. But the moment I've got a ball at my feet, I'm happy.
I am a believer in passing the ball on the ground, I was lucky to be part of teams like that at Arsenal, with the French national team and with Monaco and at Barcelona. I know you can win in other ways, but I believe that is the way football should be played.
People always talk about Ronaldinho, and everything but I didnt see him today - I saw Henrik Larsson. Two times he came on - he changed the game, that is what killed the game - sometimes you talk about Ronaldinho and Etoo and people like that, you need to talk about the proper footballer who made the difference and that was Henrik Larsson tonight
I may be French, but I'm playing for Arsenal.
When we won the league at Tottenham, they came back 2-2 in the last-minute of the game, and they're celebrating - because they're happy to draw against us, obviously. And I remember saying to Mauricio Tarricco, do you realise we only need a point to be Champions? And they all [were really shocked]. So I said 'Yes. Now we're going to celebrate on your pitch. Bye bye!'
To make the future demands courage. It demands work. But it also demands faith.
What people tend to forget is the journey that I had getting to Formula One. There were plenty of years where I had to learn about losing and having bad races.
Success has nothing to do with box office as far as I'm concerned. Success has to do with achieving your goals, your internal goals, and growing as a person. It would have been nice to have been connected with a couple more box office hits, but in the long run, I don't think it makes you happier.
You can get ahead in the world. But you will have to work, you will have to want tremendously to accomplish something, and then be willing to pay the price. Are you willing?
The critics are always right. The only way you shut them up is by winning.
I wouldn't swap the era I competed in for anything, not a day of it. I started out as an amateur, and people like myself, Seb Coe, Steve Ovett, Steve Cram, Tessa Sanderson and the rest did it for the glory of winning medals for our country.
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