Collecting quotations is a passion for many and it’s easy to see why - many sayings are famous (or infamous) because they provide insights which are truly thought-provoking and ideas you can live your life by. Here are five famous quotations to help us get through our day-to-day existance:

1) On dreamers

“Stand often in the company of dreamers: they believe you can achieve impossible things.” ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

It’s too easy to declare something to be impossible - few things really are, and it’s the dreamers of the world who have the belief (and possibly the creativity) to attaining the seemingly unattainable. Having a dreamer on a team, or as an acquaintance or friend may help to solve (or at least bring into perspective) impossible problems.

(A word of caution however: while dreamers can see solutions where others cannot, sometimes the solutions themselves are impractical and can’t be achieved - yet.)

2) On brains over brawn

“Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.” ~ Samuel Johnson

Johnson may have been writing in a time when physical strength still could rule nations, but things really aren’t too different today. In some cultures and groups, physical strength is still valued over other abilities - in other cultures, the rich or “power mongers” are considered the strong members of society.

However, strength alone tends to accomplish little apart from collecting more strength, and rarely, if ever, builds something truly great and/or lasting. Hard work, talent, and persistence are the characteristics which will create something innovative, long-lasting, useful, beautiful - however “great” is defined.

3) On problems

“A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it.” ~ Albert Einstein

Problem solving is an essential skill in every walk of life. However, being proactive and avoiding problems in the first place, managing situations so problems never happen, makes life much easier for everyone concerned.

4) On managing projects - and life in general

“No battle plan survives contact with the enemy”” ~ Helmuth von Moltke the Elder

Any project manager worth their salt knows the truth of this quotation. That doesn’t mean they don’t plan, it simply means they appreciate that planning is an on-going process. And what project managers know and use to their advantage can be used by anyone and everyone. Planning is essential to success when organizing anything from getting the kids to school to moving house to making major life-changes.

5) On coping with fools and idiots

“Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” ~ Mark Twain

“Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.” ~ Greg King

Don’t argue with an idiot: People watching may not be able to tell the difference.” ~ Greg King

There are several variations of this quotation, two generally attributed to Greg King, the other to the great Mark Twain. It’s possible that King’s quotes are misquotations of Twain’s original, and variations appear on various websites and Twitter, further clouding the origins.

But regardless of the source, these quotations illustrate the perils of arguing with idiots or fools (whether it’s a case of a true idiot, or simply a difference of opinion). That’s not to say agreement with fools is the better course, simply that rather than an argument (strength?) a better strategy (diligence and skill, perhaps?) should be employed.

Quotations are pearls of wisdom, food for thought, humorous or thoughtful insights which can, if nothing else, provide a different perspective on the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Need a new point of view? Thumb through a book of quotes, you never know what you will find…