Artists can have greater access to reality; they can see patterns and details and connections that other people, distracted by the blur of life, might miss. Just sharing that truth can be a very powerful thing.
Jay-ZRead
As kids we didn't complain about being poor; we talked about how rich we were going to be and made moves to get the lifestyle we aspired to by any means we could. And as soon as we had a little money, we were eager to show it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of ambition and a positive mindset about wealth from a young age.
Jay-Z reflects on his childhood, highlighting how he and his peers focused on their aspirations of wealth rather than their current financial struggles. This mindset of optimism and determination drove them to take actions toward achieving the lifestyle they desired, showcasing the power of belief and ambition in overcoming adversity.
Themes
AmbitionWealthMindsetAspirationDetermination
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech at a youth conference, one might quote Jay-Z to encourage kids to dream big and work hard.
More from Jay-Z
All quotes →The most amazing feeling I feel_x000D_ _x000D_ Words can't describe what I'm feeling for real _x000D_ _x000D_ Maybe I paint the sky blue _x000D_ _x000D_ My greatest creation was you.
Jay-ZRead
Far from a Harvard student, just had the balls to do it
Jay-ZRead
I never ask for nothin' I don't demand of myself. Honesty, loyalty, friends and then wealth
Jay-ZRead
It was a very intense and stressful situation. There was playing in the Johnny-pump (an opened fire hydrant) and the ice-cream man coming around and all of these games that we'd play, and suddenly it would turn just violent and there would be shootings at 12 in the afternoon on any given day.
Jay-ZRead
I would run into the corner store, the bodega, and just grab a paper bag or buy juice - anything just to get a paper bag. And I'd write the words on the paper bag and stuff these ideas in my pocket until I got back. Then I would transfer them into the notebook.
Jay-ZRead
Similar quotes
I always thought money was something just to make me happy. But I’ve learned that I feel better being able to help my folks, ’cause we never had nothing. So just to see them excited about my career is more of a blessing than me actually having it for myself.
Kendrick LamarRead
If you don't lose, you cannot enjoy the victories. So I have to accept both things.
Rafael NadalRead
God’s definition of success is really one of significance-the significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others. The significance doesn’t show up in won-loss records, long resumes, or the trophies gathering dust on our mantels. It’s found in the hearts and lives of those we’ve come across who are in some way better because of the way we lived.
Tony DungyRead
Vision w/o execution is just hallucination. You need the right combination of visionary + team that can execute
Walter IsaacsonRead
Success comes to a writer as a rule, so gradually that it is always something of a shock to him to look back and realize the heights to which he has climbed.
P. G. WodehouseRead
A man to carry on a successful business must have imagination. He must see things as in a vision, a dream of the whole thing.
Charles M. SchwabRead