The Wisdom of Zig Ziglar

Jim Daly Jim Daly is president and chief executive officer of Focus on the Family, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families thrive.
Updated Nov 30, 2012

Posted by Jim_Daly Nov 29, 2012

I was saddened yesterday to learn of the death of Zig Ziglar, a bestselling author and motivational speaker. He was 86. Zig inspired us and lifted our spirits by lifting up the name of Jesus. He reminded us to believe in ourselves only because Christ first believed in us.

Here are a few favorite quotes from over the years from the tongue and pen of Zig Ziglar:

Make every effort to be perceived as the most capable, not the most visible.

The best way to turn a little problem into a big problem is to nurture it with procrastination.

If we don't start, it's certain we can't arrive.

If you encounter difficulty, don't change your decision to go. Change your direction to get there.

You must manage yourself before you can lead someone else.

The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.

The way you see people is the way you treat them.

If there were no problems, most of us would be unemployed.

Every day is a great day, just try missing one!

Kids go where there is excitement. They stay where there is love.

When you are tough on yourself, life is going to be infinitely easier on you.

You can't truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles.

If God would have wanted us to live in a permissive society He would have given us Ten Suggestions and not Ten Commandments.

If you treat your wife like a thoroughbred, you'll never end up with a nag.

Little men with little minds and little imaginations go through life in little ruts, smugly resisting all changes which would jar their little worlds.

Many marriages would be better if the husband and the wife clearly understood that they are on the same side.

The person who will not stand for something will fall for anything.

When you do more than what you are paid for, you will soon be paid more for what you do.

Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.

Many people spend more time in planning the wedding than they do in planning the marriage.