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48 Motivational Quotes By Thomas Edison That Will Inspire You To Never Give Up

Famous As: Inventor of Phonograph, Motion Picture Camera and Early Version of the Electric Light Bulb
Born On: February 11, 1847
Died On: October 18, 1931
Born In: Milan, Ohio, United States
Founder / Co Founder: Edison Electric Light Company (General Electric Company)
Died At Age: 84

Thomas Alva Edison, better remembered as an inventor than a businessman, has much to teach or inspire us even today. A prolific inventor, holding 1,093 US patents, he spent his entire life inventing many practical devices like phonogram, motion picture camera and long-lasting electric bulbs. If you are wondering what led to his phenomenal success all you have to do is to look into his quotes to find the answer. Yes, he had his failures; but he looked at those failures as “10,000 ways that won’t work” and reapplied himself to the job with more gusto. Let us now look into some of his quotes that have been inspiring men and women to try once more and achieve success.

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They say President Wilson has blundered. Perhaps he has, but I notice he usually blunders forward.

They say President Wilson has blundered. Perhaps he has, but I notice he usually blunders forward.

Thomas Edison
When I have fully decided that a result is worth getting I go ahead of it and make trial after trial until it comes.

When I have fully decided that a result is worth getting I go ahead of it and make trial after trial until it comes.

Thomas Edison
His genius he was quite content in one brief sentence to define; Of inspiration one percent, of perspiration, ninety nine.

His genius he was quite content in one brief sentence to define; Of inspiration one percent, of perspiration, ninety nine.

Thomas Edison
Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won't work.

Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won't work.

Thomas Edison
I am proud of the fact that I never invented weapons to kill.

I am proud of the fact that I never invented weapons to kill.

Thomas Edison
We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything.

We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything.

Thomas Edison
Waste is worse than loss. The time is coming when every person who lays claim to ability will keep the question of waste before him constantly. The scope of thrift is limitless.

Waste is worse than loss. The time is coming when every person who lays claim to ability will keep the question of waste before him constantly. The scope of thrift is limitless.

Thomas Edison
It is astonishing what an effort it seems to be for many people to put their brains definitely and systematically to work.

It is astonishing what an effort it seems to be for many people to put their brains definitely and systematically to work.

Thomas Edison
Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.

Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.

Thomas Edison
I have friends in overalls whose friendship I would not swap for the favor of the kings of the world.

I have friends in overalls whose friendship I would not swap for the favor of the kings of the world.

Thomas Edison
To have a great idea, have a lot of them.

To have a great idea, have a lot of them.

Thomas Edison
The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls looking like hard work.

The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls looking like hard work.

Thomas Edison
To my mind the old masters are not art; their value is in their scarcity.

To my mind the old masters are not art; their value is in their scarcity.

Thomas Edison
I find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.

I find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.

Thomas Edison
Nearly every man who develops an idea works it up to the point where it looks impossible, and then he gets discouraged. That's not the place to become discouraged.

Nearly every man who develops an idea works it up to the point where it looks impossible, and then he gets discouraged. That's not the place to become discouraged.

Thomas Edison
What a man's mind can create, man's character can control.

What a man's mind can create, man's character can control.

Thomas Edison
Be courageous. I have seen many depressions in business. Always America has emerged from these stronger and more prosperous. Be brave as your fathers before you. Have faith! Go forward!

Be courageous. I have seen many depressions in business. Always America has emerged from these stronger and more prosperous. Be brave as your fathers before you. Have faith! Go forward!

Thomas Edison
I start where the last man left off.

I start where the last man left off.

Thomas Edison
The body is a community made up of its innumerable cells or inhabitants.

The body is a community made up of its innumerable cells or inhabitants.

Thomas Edison
The best thinking has been done in solitude. The worst has been done in turmoil.

The best thinking has been done in solitude. The worst has been done in turmoil.

Thomas Edison
Anything that won't sell, I don't want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success.

Anything that won't sell, I don't want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success.

Thomas Edison
The value of an idea lies in the using of it.

The value of an idea lies in the using of it.

Thomas Edison
There is far more opportunity than there is ability.

There is far more opportunity than there is ability.

Thomas Edison
I never did a day's work in my life. It was all fun.

I never did a day's work in my life. It was all fun.

Thomas Edison
Discontent is the first necessity of progress.

Discontent is the first necessity of progress.

Thomas Edison
Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.

Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.

Thomas Edison
Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.

Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.

Thomas Edison
Great ideas originate in the muscles.

Great ideas originate in the muscles.

Thomas Edison
Religion is all bunk.

Religion is all bunk.

Thomas Edison
To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.

To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.

Thomas Edison