Quotes for Life & Words to Live By

By Joseph A. Fermano

"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

Poignant words, whether you find them disheartening or humorous - or both. They were written over two centuries ago by US Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. Yet they're still applicable today. That's the awesome power of words. From the compelling - "Give me liberty or give me death!" - to the cliched - "Have a nice day!" Well-put, well-timed quotes have the power to change lives.

As Franklin alluded, life is indeed uncertain. It can be difficult, challenging, stressful, and downright depressing. It can also be joyous, enlightening, gratifying, and awe-inspiringly beautiful. Only by accepting all of life's possibilities can we fully appreciate life's highs and successfully survive its lows.

In his inaugural book, Joe Fermano, financial advisor, talk radio show host, inspirational speaker, devoted husband and father of three, seeks to inspire, motivate, and entertain readers. Through personal anecdotes and quotes culled from the famous, not-so-famous, and the anonymous from literally all walks of life and all over the world, Joe strives to help others help themselves. His personal credo is clear and uncomplicated: "Life is simple, you get what you give."

Through the power of words and personal insight, Joe guides readers through, literally, an alphabet of life experiences, including a chapter "Just for Kids." Tackling everything from "Adversity" and "Perseverance," to "Teamwork" and beyond, this book offers a veritable guide to living life to it's fullest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joseph A. Fermano
• Release date: Aug 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9780989397919

Joseph A. Fermano

HusbandFather of three.Business Entrepreneur/Financial Consultant 31 yrs.Radio Show Host. WNJC 1360am www.joefermano.comBaseball/Basketball CoachSchool Board ChairBeliever that Attitude Is Everything.A Positive Quote p/day, keeps negativity away!

Book preview

What’s so great about Quotes?

Everything!

A short and simple quotation can produce an incredible amount of material to fit your needs…instantly! It’s powerful and effective.

A quote can tell a story, communicate an idea, make a point, and mostly help you. A quote will also pick you up mentally when you need it most, and give you hope and confidence to push onward. Quotes are also a most elegant form of communication. They speak to you without saying too much. To me, a quote is a work of art in written form.

How to Use This Book

You should use this book as a tool that will help inspire you and help you communicate in a concise and effective manner. Simply pick up the book and turn to any chapter, read the Introduction and read through the quotes and you find yourself energized and inspired. This first edition of Quotes for Life covers the most important areas in life that matter to you.

You can randomly choose a chapter or select a chapter relative to your needs at that time. I personally read one or two chapters every morning to give me a boost to start my day on a cheerful and positive note. My goal is to provide you with a tool that you will make into a habit. Just like brushing your teeth, or taking a shower, you make it a habit to read a chapter or two to feed your soul for the day.

Secondly, Quotes for Life is your personal reference guide.

Whether you choose to send someone an email, letter, hand - written thank you, or when speaking to someone; use this book to assist you in making your point as concisely and effectively possible. Everyone appreciates a good quote. And they will appreciate you for taking the time to share a quote that is helpful to them when they need it most.

For it is in the giving that we receive. ~ St. Francis of Assisi

Why?

The most important reason why I wrote this book is because of my children. As parents, my wife and I respect our obligation as their key role models.

As their Dad, I want to give them something that will outlast me and they can use to help better themselves through the ebbs and flow of life. If they are struggling through a period in their life, or are celebrating an event, my hope is that they will use this book as a guide and reminder of what’s important and to enjoy the journey of life as they grow into adults. I’m confident that they will go through periods when chapters such as: Adversity, Courage, Attitude, Family, Knowledge, and Kindness, will be a helpful guide when I’m not around. My Introduction to each chapter followed by the corresponding quotes will give them enough information and inspiration to become better people and happier too.

Who Should Read This Book?

Everyone of course!

If I didn’t believe that everyone will benefit from this book I would not have spent a lot of time writing it.

No matter who you are, what you do, where you are headed, or what you have experienced in life, you can use this book to help yourself!

Since I created the Daily-Dose a free subscriber based system where I email a quote daily, (sign up at www.joefermano.com); the responses to the quotes over the years have been phenomenal.

Parents have thanked me for a quote that they forward to their son or daughter in college to give them hope and inspiration as they enter this new chapter of their life. From the adult son who shares a quote with his mother, giving her motivation as she grows older. To all the people who thank me for a quote sent just at the right time, as they struggle daily to live a productive life that sometimes becomes sidetracked and difficult––as so often life can be.

The application of this book is endless. Share it, read it daily, and keep it with you wherever you go. Use Quotes for Life as a reminder to use your life as best you can while you are here.

Bonus

As a bonus I’ve included a chapter titled, Killer Quotes!

These are the most commented on quotes I’ve received over the years.

You should use this chapter as a quick fix, a jolt of inspiration and enlightenment when you need it in a hurry! Think of this chapter as what a double espresso is, to a regular cup of joe.

And finally, the best way to maximize the infinite amount of wisdom and advice embedded on these pages, is to share them. Help yourself by sharing Quotes for Life with everyone you love, care about, and needs it most!

Thank You & Enjoy!

Love and Peace,

Joe Fermano

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life,

that no one can sincerely try to help another

without helping themselves."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

CHAPTER ONE

Action

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply.

Willing is not enough; we must do."

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Remember this: Nothing happens until you take action.

From my experience, those who achieve their goals in life, find contentment, and are fulfilled, take action. This is the difference between achieving and not.

Quite often we over prepare, research, and study, when acting is the thing to do in order to get where you want. The time will never be just right.

For example: when my eldest son Joseph now thirteen, was five years old I took him to our backyard to instruct him on how to hit a baseball off of a tee.

I began by explaining in detail how to hold the bat, position his feet, and then swing. While I was giving him this well thought out and very detailed instruction, he walks up to the tee, swings with all his might and hits the ball perfectly to the farthest side of our yard and asks, like that Daddy?

Needles to say, my five year old son, proved my theory that we only need enough basic information to grasp the concept of what we’re doing and then swing away!

We can learn and adjust in what we’re doing only after we act.

As the Chinese philosopher Confucius said:What I hear I forget, what I see I remember, but what I do I understand.

Our power is in the doing.

Between saying and doing many a pair of shoes is worn out.

~ Italian Proverb

The shortest answer is doing.

~ Lord Herbert

Never mistake motion for action.

~ Ernest Hemingway

Talk doesn't cook rice.

~ Chinese Proverb

If your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

~ Henry J. Kaiser

The secret of getting ahead is getting started.

~ Mark Twain

Do not be wise in words - be wise in deeds.

~ Jewish Proverb

The best way out of a problem is through it.

~ Author Unknown

As I grow older I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.

~ Andrew Carnegie

People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.

~ Lewis Cass

A goal without an action plan is a daydream.

Act well at the moment, and you have performed a good action for all eternity.

~ Michael Korda

Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.

~ Arthur Ashe

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

~ Theodore Roosevelt

Don't wait. The time will never be just right.

Action conquers fear.

An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.

~ Benjamin Disraeli

Life is something that everyone should try at least once.

Do-so is more important than say-so.

Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.

Little by little one walks far.

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.

Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.

In the end, what we regret most are the chances we never took.

Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still.

~ Chinese Proverb

The short answer is doing.

A year from now you may wish you had started today.

You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.

If you rest, you rust.

~ Helen Hayes

The great end of life is not knowledge but action.

~ Francis Bacon

Act the way you'd like to be and soon you'll be the way you act.

All glory comes from daring to begin.

Action is the real measure of intelligence.

~ Napoleon Hill

It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

~ William James

The value of an idea lies in using it.

~ Thomas Alva Edison

Do, or do not. There is no try.

~ Yoda

Good thoughts are no better than good dreams, unless they be executed.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Skill to do comes of doing.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

When it comes to getting things done, we need fewer architects and more bricklayers.

There are two kinds of failures: those who thought and never did, and those who did and never thought.

If you only do what you know you can do – you never do very much.

Don't let what you can't do stop you from doing what you can do.

~ John Wooden

Adversity

That which does not kill me makes me stronger.

~ Friedrich Nietzsche

The above quote by Nietzche may seem a bit harsh. However, you might as well face it, life can be hard, can be cruel, and will be unfair. Not what happens to you, but how you choose to react to what happens to you will make the difference in your life. Please remember that.

In my life time, I've lost dear friends, family members, suffered financial hardships, and struggled with the ups and downs life throws at you. Yet, my saving grace has been my ability to appreciate all that I do have. Too often we focus on our problems and not on our blessings. No matter how difficult life can get, there is always something for which to be grateful.

What I choose to dwell on and think about, has directed my life. Thank goodness as human beings we've been given the unique gift of choice.

Adversity, though painful, can also be an opportunity to learn and progress.

Adversity introduces you to yourself.

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.

If you're going through hell, keep going.

~ Winston Churchill

A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn.

The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work.

~ Harry Golden

I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders.

~ Jewish Proverb

If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.

~ Frank A. Clark

It just wouldn't be a picnic without the ants.

~ Author Unknown

Every path hath a puddle.

~ George Herbert

When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is no education like adversity.

~ Disraeli

He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.

~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Adversity introduces you to yourself.

~ JAF

Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds.

~ Norman Vincent Peale

The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter.

~ Author Unknown

A problem is a chance for you to do your best.

~ Duke Ellington

Be the master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things.

~ Robert Service

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.

~ Author Unknown

When life gives you lemons, please, just don't squirt them in other people's eyes.

~ J. Andrew Helt

Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.

~ Helen Keller

Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater.

~ William Hazlit

Sometimes it's worse to win a fight than to lose.

~ Billie Holiday

The darkest hour has only sixty minutes.

~ Morris Mandel

The gem cannot be polished without friction nor man without trials.

~ Confucius

My strength is made perfect in weakness.

~ II Corinthians

Problems are the price you pay for progress.

There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you.

~ Woody Hayes

Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.

Everything that I've ever been able to accomplish in skating and in life has come out of adversity and perseverance.

~ Wayne Gretsky

Very often out of adversity that's when the best work comes.

~ Tom Cochrane

When adversity strikes, that's when you have to be the most calm. Take a step back, stay strong, stay grounded and press on.

~ LL Cool J

"If we will be quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment.

~ Henry David Thoreau

Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.

~ Robert Schuller

Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.

~ Bill Gates

The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That's real glory. That’s the essence of it.

~ Vince Lombardi

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on!

~ Robert Frost

"It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you