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Writer's pictureRobert Stevenson

Thank You, Anonymous


Robert Stevenson Blog - It doesn't matter who said it, what matters is what they said.

I am always looking for great quotes, saying, or statements to help reinforce my message and I think it is important to give credit to those who shared their brilliance. Unfortunately, I often come across wise words of wisdom that have been credited to that famous person … “ANONYMOUS.”


I have learned a lot over the years from that wise Mr./Ms. “ANONYMOUS.” I find it interesting that I have no idea who they are … what gender, educational background, ethnicity, rich, poor, religious or not, Republican, Democrat, Independent, what skills they have or experience … or what. I know nothing about them to persuade, influence or prejudice me in any way to like, dislike, trust or distrust what they said. The only thing that has value is their statement, quote, or comment. I really like that. Why should I want anything to prejudice what they said? As Voltaire so sensibly stated” “Prejudices are what fools use for reason.”


In all honesty, is a statement more profound, wise, brilliant, insightful, astute, sensible, intelligent, shrewd, smart, or clever because you know who said it … or because a famous person said it? I don’t think so. I think that each quote should stand alone, judged on its own merit, and not be given more or less value because of who said it. Below are a few Anonymous Quotes I’ve collected over the years I thought you might find helpful:


  • To be a winner, all you need to give is all you have.

  • I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.

  • For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.

  • The best way to finish an unpleasant task is to get started.

  • Minds are like parachutes - they only function when open.

  • He is truly wise who gains wisdom from another's mishap.

  • Worry doesn't help tomorrow's troubles, but it does ruin today's happiness.

  • Business is like a wheelbarrow. Nothing ever happens until you start pushing.

  • When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember the Fire Department usually uses water.

  • Good judgment comes from experience, and experience – that comes from poor judgment.


Yes, ANONYMOUS has shared a lot of wisdom with us over the years, but the key to success for any company or person is applying it. I see so many organizations with powerful mission statements … not living up to what they’ve written. There are also far too many so called “LEADERS” handing out wise words of wisdom but not following the advice themselves. They live by the motto … “Don’t think of me as your boss, think of me as a friend who is never wrong.” Their attitude is the wise words of wisdom are for other people … because they make no mistakes. I’m sure you can think of two or three managers you have worked for that fit this description perfectly.


We all need to go to school on other people’s experiences. Learn from their wise words or from their mistakes and shorten our learning curve. If I have learned one thing in my life, it is “WHY” experience the pain to learn something when you don’t have to; the more knowledge you can gain from others the better for you.


Life is too short to learn and experience it ALL yourself.Success comes to those who seek knowledge and apply it.

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