Oliver Napoleon Hill, one of the original voices in the world of self-help and success stories. His famous book, Think and Grow Rich (written way back in 1937), still ranks as one of the all-time bestsellers in self-improvement—proof that his advice is as timeless as ever.
Hill wasn’t just a writer; he was a passionate believer in the power of positive thinking and big dreams. Although he originally hoped to become a lawyer, financial struggles steered him toward a new path: inspiring others through his words.
Over his career, Hill wrote several other hits like The Law of Success and Outwitting the Devil, all encouraging readers to aim higher and expect more from life. His ideas about ambition and perseverance have touched millions and continue to motivate people today.
I have compiled some of the most notable Napoleon Hill quotes and sayings that explores his thoughts and views about life, success, courage, and more.
Fun Fact: Napoleon Hill got his big break thanks to a chance interview with steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie, which set him on his journey to uncover the secrets of success!
Table of Contents
Famous Napoleon Hill Quotes
Some Napoleon Hill quotes have become legendary—synonymous with self-improvement and achievement. Here are his most iconic:
- “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
(Think and Grow Rich, 1937)
Hill’s most famous insight, this quote reminds us that mindset is the foundation of all achievement.
- “A goal is a dream with a deadline.”
(Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude, 1959)
It’s not enough to dream—Hill urges us to set clear intentions and timelines to bring visions to life. - “Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.”
(Think and Grow Rich, 1937)
Hill calls for decisive action, reminding us that perfect conditions rarely exist.
Quotes on Success & Achievement
Success was at the heart of Hill’s work. Here are his best lines on achieving greatness:
- “Success comes to those who become success conscious.”
(Think and Grow Rich)
Hill believed that cultivating a mindset of possibility is the first step to real achievement. - “Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.”
(Think and Grow Rich)
No shortcut replaces sustained effort and resilience. - “Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.”
(The Law of Success, 1928)
Success, Hill argues, often means thinking beyond oneself.
Quotes on Mindset & Belief
Hill’s philosophy hinges on the power of thought and belief:
- “You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct and control your own environment.”
(Think and Grow Rich)
Empowerment is possible, Hill argues, through self-awareness and disciplined thought. - “When your desires are strong enough, you will appear to possess superhuman powers to achieve.”
(Think and Grow Rich)
The will to achieve creates new abilities within us.
Quotes on Persistence & Action
Without action, Hill reminds us, dreams remain dreams:
- “The starting point of all achievement is desire.”
(Think and Grow Rich)
Clear, burning desire sets everything in motion. - “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.”
(The Law of Success)
Hill believed setbacks are part of the journey, not roadblocks. - “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.”
(Think and Grow Rich)
Persistence distinguishes the successful from the merely hopeful.
Quotes on Wealth & Opportunity
On creating abundance:
- “Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.”
(Think and Grow Rich)
Hill encourages readers to see potential in every situation. - “Every adversity, every failure, every heartbreak, carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”
(Think and Grow Rich)
Challenges can become stepping stones to greater fortune. - “The way of success is the way of continuous pursuit of knowledge.”
(Think and Grow Rich)
Ongoing learning is key to lasting success.
Quotes on Leadership & Personal Growth
Hill understood that self-mastery and leadership go hand-in-hand:
- “It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.”
(Think and Grow Rich)
Collaboration multiplies achievement. - “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.”
(The Law of Success)
Even small steps, taken with intention, can lead to greatness. - “First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality.”
(Think and Grow Rich)
Hill reminds us to be both visionary and practical.
What Napoleon Hill Leaves Us
Napoleon Hill’s wisdom continues to inspire millions to dream boldly, persist against odds, and shape their own destinies.
These timeless quotes are more than words—they are a blueprint for personal transformation and lasting achievement. Keep them close as daily reminders to believe, act, and grow.
