Dale Carnegie was the author of the famous personal development book “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, which has sold millions of copies worldwide. In this post, we share several timeless Dale Carnegie quotes to inspire you.

Early Life

Dale Carnegie was born on November 24, 1888 in Maryville, Missouri. Carnegie ultimately became an influential American writer and lecturer known for his self-improvement and interpersonal skills courses.

Carnegie’s early life was marked by financial struggles, and he worked various jobs to support himself and his education. He attended Warrensburg State Teachers College but left without graduating. Despite not having a formal education, Carnegie was driven by a passion for self-improvement and communication skills.

In 1912, Carnegie moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting and writing. He faced initial challenges but eventually found success as a public speaker and lecturer.

The Breakthrough

Soon after moving to New York City, Carnegie began teaching public speaking at the YMCA in Harlem. It was here where he developed the core ideas that would later become the foundation of his courses and books.

Dale Carnegie’s breakthrough came with the publication of his book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” in 1936. The book provided practical advice on how to improve communication, build relationships, and influence others positively. Millions of copies were sold worldwide, and the book still remains influential in the field of personal development.

Carnegie’s principles emphasized the importance of listening, showing genuine interest in others, and avoiding criticism and condemnation. The book became an instant bestseller and has since been translated into numerous languages.

The Power of a Name

Carnegie’s teachings were rooted in the belief that success in both personal and professional life is closely tied to one’s ability to connect with and understand others. His courses, which he began teaching in 1912, expanded well beyond public speaking. They cover topics such as interpersonal skills, leadership, and salesmanship.

The Dale Carnegie Course became immensely popular, attracting individuals from various backgrounds eager to enhance their communication and relationship-building abilities.

One of Carnegie’s key principles was the power of a person’s name. He believed that remembering and using someone’s name made them feel valued and important. This principle, along with others from his book, became widely adopted in business and personal development circles.

Philanthropy and Diplomacy

Beyond his work in self-help, Dale Carnegie was involved in philanthropy and diplomacy. During World War I, he served in the U.S. Army and later worked in the travel and sales industry.

In the 1930s, he became involved in international relations and was an advocate for improved U.S.-Soviet relations. He also participated in the creation of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

The Legacy of Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie’s impact on the self-help genre and personal development was significant. His principles continue to be taught in various formats, and his legacy lives on through the Dale Carnegie Institute, which offers training and courses based on his teachings.

Carnegie passed away on November 1, 1955, but his ideas and influence persist. They continue to shape the way people approach communication and relationships in both their personal and professional lives.

Famous Dale Carnegie Quotes

Below we provide many inspirational Dale Carnegie quotes from his self-development lessons. We hope these will be a source of inspiration and courage in your life.

“Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it. That is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear.”

“Develop success from failure. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.”

“Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.”

“Happiness doesn’t depend on any external conditions; it is governed by our mental attitude.”

“Do the hard jobs first; easy jobs will take care of themselves.”

“Keep busy. It’s the cheapest kind of medicine there is.”

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.”

“Fear doesn’t exist anywhere except in the mind.”

“Fear is the result of a lack of confidence. A lack of confidence is the result of not knowing what you can do. A lack of knowing what you can do is caused by a lack of experience. A lack of experience is caused by a lack of doing something new.”

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who had kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”

“People like people who help them like themselves.”

“If you believe in what you’re doing, then let nothing hold you up in your work. Much of the best work of the world has been done against seeming impossibilities.”

“If you want to conquer fear, don’t sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic but creatures of emotion.”

“Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”

“The royal road to a man’s heart is to talk to him about the things he treasures most.”

“Rule #1: don’t criticize, condemn, or complain.”

Dale Carnegie Quotes – Final Words

Dale Carnegie was an American writer and lecturer known for his self-improvement and interpersonal skills courses. His book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” was an instant success and helped millions of people worldwide. It remains just as influential today as it did in 1936, when it was published.

We hope you enjoyed these Dale Carnegie quotes. Check out our site for more sources of inspiration.