16 Norman Vincent Peale Quotes About Positivity

Find inspiration and encouragement in the words of the clergyman, author of The Power of Positive Thinking and co-founder of Guideposts.

Norman Vincent Peale (1898 – 1993) was a clergyman, speaker, and author best known for his best-selling book The Power of Positive Thinking. He was also pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, one of the oldest continuous Protestant congregations in North America, and hosted The Art of Living, a radio program on the air for a record-setting 54 years. In 1945, Peale, along with his wife, Ruth Stafford Peale, and others founded Guideposts magazine. And in 1984, President Ronald Reagan awarded Dr. Peale the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

Even after his death on Christmas Eve in 1993, Peale’s writings on positivity endure. Whether we are facing grief, financial troubles, or job loss, his wise words can lead us to a place of hope. Here are 16 powerful Norman Vincent Peale quotes:

Keep thinking, keep interested, keep praying, keep dreaming.--Norman Vincent Peale

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Keep thinking, keep interested, keep praying, keep dreaming.

—Norman Vincent Peale


The best thing you have to give is yourself.--Norman Vincent Peale

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The best thing you have to give is yourself.

—Norman Vincent Peale

To be successful is to be helpful, caring, constructive, to make everything and everyone touch you a little bit.--Norman Vincent Peale

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To be successful is to be helpful, caring, constructive, to make everything and everyone touch you a little bit.

—Norman Vincent Peale


How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself, so always think positively.--Norman Vincent Peale

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How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself, so always think positively.

—Norman Vincent Peale


Love life and it will love you right back.--Norman Vincent Peale

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Love life and it will love you right back.

— Norman Vincent Peale


Change your thoughts, and you change your world.--Norman Vincent Peale

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Change your thoughts, and you change your world.

—Norman Vincent Peale


It's always too early to quit.--Norman Vincent Peale

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It’s always too early to quit.

—Norman Vincent Peale

Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven't half the strength you think they have.--Norman Vincent Peale

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Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven’t half the strength you think they have.

—Norman Vincent Peale


Go at life with abandon; give it all you've got. And life will give all it has to you.--Norman Vincent Peale

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Go at life with abandon; give it all you’ve got. And life will give all it has to you.

—Norman Vincent Peale


Live your life and forget your age.--Norman Vincent Peale

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Live your life and forget your age.

—Norman Vincent Peale


We may live victoriously, not because we have any power within ourselves, but because when we give ourselves to God, He gives himself to us.--Norman Vincent Peale

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We may live victoriously, not because we have any power within ourselves, but because when we give ourselves to God, He gives himself to us.

—Norman Vincent Peale


If you have zest and enthusiasm, you attract zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind.--Norman Vincent Peale

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If you have zest and enthusiasm, you attract zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind.

—Norman Vincent Peale

A wish is an attitude of mind to which wings have been attached. You wish and you dream, and your whole nature focuses to bring your wishes and dreams to pass.--Norman Vincent Peale

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A wish is an attitude of mind to which wings have been attached. You wish and you dream, and your whole nature focuses to bring your wishes and dreams to pass.

—Norman Vincent Peale


Ask for what you want, but be willing to take what God gives you. It may be better than what you asked for.--Norman Vincent Peale

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Ask for what you want, but be willing to take what God gives you. It may be better than what you asked for.

—Norman Vincent Peale


Dare to be what your best self knows you ought to be; dare to be a bigger human being than you have ever been.

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Dare to be what your best self knows you ought to be; dare to be a bigger human being than you have ever been.

— Norman Vincent Peale


Put your trust in God and just calmly go your way.

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Put your trust in God and just calmly go your way.

— Norman Vincent Peale

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