Men take on the nature and the habits and the power of thought of those with whom they associate in a spirit of sympathy and harmony.
Napoleon HillRead
The world does not pay men for that which they “know”. It pays them for what they do, or induce others to do.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People are valued for their actions and their ability to influence others, not just for their knowledge.
Napoleon Hill's quote emphasizes that knowledge alone is insufficient for achieving success; rather, it is the actions we take and the ability to motivate and lead others that truly defines our value in the world. While knowing is important, it is the application of that knowledge and the proactive steps we take that result in tangible outcomes and rewards.
Themes
SuccessActionKnowledgeInfluenceLeadership
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech to students about pursuing their dreams.
More from Napoleon Hill
All quotes →Nature yields her most profound secrets to the person who is determined to uncover them.
Napoleon HillRead
Man, alone, has the power to transform his thoughts into physical reality; man, alone, can dream and make his dreams come true.
Napoleon HillRead
One of the most common causes of failure is the habit of quitting when one is overtaken by temporary defeat.
Napoleon HillRead
Let nobody bribe you away from being yourself.
Napoleon HillRead
Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to cut all sources of retreat. Only by doing so can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a burning desire to win - essential to success.
Napoleon HillRead
Similar quotes
Good results is not an entitlement. It has to be earned and earned each individual working day via the lens of humility.
Howard SchultzRead
A passionate belief in your business and personal objectives can make all the difference between success and failure. If you aren't proud of what you're doing, why should anybody else be?
Richard BransonRead
When you found a company, you feel a deep sense of responsibility for it. I'll care about Dell even after I'm dead. So this is a pretty personal process. And when you're doing what you love, and it's working, you don't get tired working what other people might consider long hours or crazy schedules. It's just fun. It's energizing.
Michael DellRead
Why don't you think we should dream of an African team winning the World Cup for the first time? People never allow this thought to cross their minds, and it is shameful. When you try to even say it, people look at you as if you're joking, but they forget that dreaming is the first step to success.
Samuel Eto'ORead
The road to the Olympics, leads to no city, no country. It goes far beyond New York or Moscow, ancient Greece or Nazi Germany. The road to the Olympics leads — in the end — to the best within us.
Jesse OwensRead
People always say I'm a legend, but I'm not. Not until I've defended my Olympic titles. That's when I've decided I'll be a legend.
Usain BoltRead