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62 Motivational Quotes By David McCullough That Will Keep You High-Spirited

Famous As: American Historian & Author
Born On: July 7, 1933
Died On: August 7, 2022
Born In: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died At Age: 89
David McCullough is regarded as the pioneer of modern history. He is also a renowned lecturer, author and narrator. He was a member of ‘Skulls and Bones’, and was an apprentice at media giants like ‘Time’, ‘Life’, ‘American Heritage’ and also the ‘United States Information Agency’. He viewed every topic that had not been written on before as a potential book. His works on President Truman and Founding Father John Adams won him Pulitzer Prize in 1993 and 2002 respectively. He also bagged the National Book Award twice. He has also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom which is the highest civilian award in the United States. McCullough is also acclaimed for his works as a narrator, film presenter and a TV host. His sayings and thoughts will keep your spirits high. ‘The Johnstown Flood’ was his first book and his latest book ‘The Wright Brothers’ continue to be successful in the market. The year 2016 also marked 50 years of his association with publisher, Simon and Schuster. David continues to entertain both readers and writers. His simple yet powerful quotes are sure to give you an adrenaline rush. 
Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That's why it's so hard.

Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That's why it's so hard." (Interview with NEH chairman Bruce Cole, Humanities, July/Aug. 2002, Vol. 23/No. 4)

David McCullough
Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love.

Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love.

David McCullough
History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.

History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.

David McCullough
Nothing ever invented provides such sustenance, such infinite reward for time spent, as a good book.

Nothing ever invented provides such sustenance, such infinite reward for time spent, as a good book.

David McCullough
If you get down about the state of American culture, just remember there are still more public libraries in this country than there are McDonalds.

If you get down about the state of American culture, just remember there are still more public libraries in this country than there are McDonalds.

David McCullough
Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives. - John Adams

Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives. - John Adams

David McCullough
You can't be a full participant in our democracy if you don't know our history.

You can't be a full participant in our democracy if you don't know our history.

David McCullough
When a friend of Abigail and John Adams was killed at Bunker Hill, Abigail's response was to write a letter to her husband and include these words,

When a friend of Abigail and John Adams was killed at Bunker Hill, Abigail's response was to write a letter to her husband and include these words, "My bursting heart must find vent at my pen.

David McCullough
The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to know...do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly. This is enough.

The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to know...do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly. This is enough.

David McCullough
No harm's done to history by making it something someone would want to read.

No harm's done to history by making it something someone would want to read." (The Course of Human Events, NEH Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities 2003)

David McCullough
You've got to marinate your head, in that time and culture.
You've got to become them.

You've got to marinate your head, in that time and culture. You've got to become them." (Speaking about researching, and reading, and immersing yourself in History)

David McCullough
I think that we need history as much as we need bread or water or love.

I think that we need history as much as we need bread or water or love.

David McCullough
If I were giving a young man advice as to how he might succeed in life, I would say to him, pick out a good father and mother, and begin life in Ohio. WILBUR WRIGHT

If I were giving a young man advice as to how he might succeed in life, I would say to him, pick out a good father and mother, and begin life in Ohio. WILBUR WRIGHT

David McCullough
You have overburdened your argument with ostentatious erudition.

You have overburdened your argument with ostentatious erudition." Spoken by Abigail Adams

David McCullough
Only those who [do] nothing [make] no mistakes.

Only those who [do] nothing [make] no mistakes.

David McCullough
The great thing about the arts is that you can only learn to do it by doing it.

The great thing about the arts is that you can only learn to do it by doing it.

David McCullough
How can we know who we are and where we are going if we don't know anything about where we have come from and what we have been through, the courage shown, the costs paid, to be where we are?

How can we know who we are and where we are going if we don't know anything about where we have come from and what we have been through, the courage shown, the costs paid, to be where we are?

David McCullough
Nobody ever lived in the past.

Nobody ever lived in the past.

David McCullough
All the money anyone needs is just enough to prevent one from being a burden on others.

All the money anyone needs is just enough to prevent one from being a burden on others.

David McCullough
No bird soars in a calm. WILBUR WRIGHT

No bird soars in a calm. WILBUR WRIGHT

David McCullough
The source of our suffering has been our timidity. We have been afraid to think....Let us dare to read, think, speak, write.

The source of our suffering has been our timidity. We have been afraid to think....Let us dare to read, think, speak, write.

David McCullough
It was a day and age that saw no reason why one could not learn whatever was required - learn vitally anything - by the close study of books.

It was a day and age that saw no reason why one could not learn whatever was required - learn vitally anything - by the close study of books.

David McCullough
The past after all is only another name for someone else's present.

The past after all is only another name for someone else's present.

David McCullough
Curiosity is what separates us from the cabbages. It's accelerative. The more we know, the more we want to know.

Curiosity is what separates us from the cabbages. It's accelerative. The more we know, the more we want to know.

David McCullough
I lament the want of a liberal education. I feel the mist of ignorance to surround me - Nathanael Greene

I lament the want of a liberal education. I feel the mist of ignorance to surround me - Nathanael Greene

David McCullough
We learn much by tribulation, and by adversity our hearts are made better.

We learn much by tribulation, and by adversity our hearts are made better.

David McCullough
Remove yourself, sir!

Remove yourself, sir!

David McCullough
Indeed, bribery, favoritism, and corruption in a great variety of forms were rampant not only in politics, but in all levels of society.

Indeed, bribery, favoritism, and corruption in a great variety of forms were rampant not only in politics, but in all levels of society.

David McCullough
We dared to hope we had invented something that would bring lasting peace to the earth. But we were wrong. . . 

We dared to hope we had invented something that would bring lasting peace to the earth. But we were wrong. . . 

David McCullough
The best dividends on the labor invested have invariably come from seeking more knowledge rather than more power.” Signed Wilbur and Orville Wright, March 12, 1906.

The best dividends on the labor invested have invariably come from seeking more knowledge rather than more power.” Signed Wilbur and Orville Wright, March 12, 1906.

David McCullough