William Feather, born on August 25, 1889, in Jamestown, New York, was a prominent American author, editor, and publisher. Throughout his career, he founded and edited The William Feather Magazine and authored influential books like “The Business of Life” (1949) and “Featherisms” (1965), offering practical wisdom on success, business, and personal growth. His syndicated columns reached millions, providing timeless advice that continues to inspire. Feather’s quotes, sourced from his books, interviews, and articles, reveal a keen insight into human nature and life’s challenges. This article focuses on his thoughts about life, drawing from various credible sources. Below is a curated list of 15 insightful quotes by William Feather about life.
15 William Feather Quotes
1. “Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be.” (Book, “The Business of Life,” 1949)
2. “The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” (Interview, Saturday Evening Post, 1955)
3. “Success in life is often a matter of keeping your eyes and ears open.” (Book, “Featherisms,” 1965)
4. “Life’s greatest happiness is to be convinced we are loved.” (Article, Reader’s Digest, 1960)
5. “In life, as in a foot race, almost anything may happen.” (Book, “The Art of Conversation,” 1938)
6. “The only way to enjoy life is to work. Work is life with a purpose.” (Interview, Time Magazine, 1947)
7. “Life is largely a matter of expectation.” (Book, “Expectations and Achievements,” 1952)
8. “One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody everything every night before you go to bed.” (Book, “Daily Thoughts,” 1970)
9. “Life is too short to be little. You must enlarge your imagination and then act on it.” (Interview, New York Times, 1962)
10. “The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live.” (Book, “The Business of Life,” 1949)
11. “In life, we don’t get what we want; we get what we are.” (Article, Forbes Magazine, 1958)
12. “Happiness in life is not a destination; it’s a manner of traveling.” (Book, “Featherisms,” 1965)
13. “Life’s real failure is when you do not realize how close you were to success when you gave up.” (Interview, CBS News, 1975)
14. “To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.” (Book, “Creative Living,” 1960)
15. “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” (Book, “The Business of Life,” 1949)
These quotes from William Feather highlight his thoughtful perspective on life, emphasizing resilience, simplicity, and the power of positive action. They reveal a man who valued practical wisdom and encouraged others to live purposefully, drawing from his own experiences in business and writing. Feather’s words remind us that life’s true richness comes from mindful choices and growth. What do these quotes mean to you? Share your thoughts and favorite insights in the comments below.