Change Your Thoughts and You Change Your World

From the author of the famous book, The Power of Positive Thinking, these Norman Vincent Peale quotes are sure to inspire.

An evangelical Christian minister, author, radio show host along with his wife, Ruth Stafford Peale, the Peales were some of the earlier popular thought leaders and champions for the power of positive thinking. We could all use more positivity in our lives — especially in these trying times — so it’s a good time to share some Norman Vincent Peale quotes.

Reverend Peale is the first one on record for this powerful quote: “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” Since then, other variations have sprouted up, like good seeds taking root from the parent plant.

When you choose positivity, your life reflects that. Positivity is absolutely proven to be transformational if you put it to work for you, and that’s what these ensuing thoughts and Norman Vincent Peale quotes will help you do.

Positive Thinking Works If…

If you’re fed up with positive thinking and ra-ra messages when you don’t feel upbeat, or worse, you’re stressed by fear and anxiety, we get it. Been there, done that!

But positive thinking and good habits work if applied consistently over time. Typically they begin to help right away. Often, depression and anxiety comes from feeling stuck, or afraid of the unknown future. One of the fastest ways out for any negative is to take positive action.

If you push through and do the hard thing, even when it’s hard, and even when you don’t feel like… especially when you don’t feel like it, you will quickly gain momentum and power. It works because not only is that thing no longer looming and taking up bandwidth, but by pushing against the gravity of resistance to get it done, you’ve grown stronger.

The simple physics of pushing against resistance, especially our own, builds mental and emotional muscle. More than that, it builds our productivity and effectiveness, and subsequently, our confidence.

About the Quotes Here

How the Quotes Are Organized

Quotes are organized under headings of primary subject category. Some quotes can be found under more than one category where relevant.

Total Number of Quotes

The total number of quotes is approximate for two reasons:

• Some quotes are duplicated when there is more than one relevant category of headings.
• The total number will continue to grow over time as new quotes are added.

We hope you are uplifted and inspired by these wonderful quotes by the legendary Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.

Norman Vincent Peale Quotes

Action Quotes

“Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist 1898-1993

“Putting faith into action, big things happen.” 
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Aging Quotes

“Live your life and forget your age.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Attitude Quotes

“Don’t take yourself so seriously.” 
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

“When you pray for anyone you tend to modify your personal attitude toward him.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

“Change yourself and your work will seem different.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

“We tend to get what we expect.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

“It is a fact that you project what you are.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

“Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist 1898-1993

Belief Quotes by Norman Vincent Peale

“People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.” 
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist 1898-1993

Calm & Stoic Quotes

“The cyclone derives its power from a calm center. So does a person.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Challenges & Difficulties Quotes

“In every difficult situation is potential value. Believe this, then begin looking for it.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist 1898-1993

We struggle with the complexities and avoid the simplicities.
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Change Quotes

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Christianity Quotes

“The Gateway to Christianity is not through an intricate labyrinth of dogma, but by a simple belief in the person of Christ.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Christmas Quotes

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Confidence Quotes by Norman Vincent Peale

“It is of practical value to learn to like yourself.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

“Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Contribution and Norman Vincent Peale Quotes

“The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Criticism & Feedback Quotes

The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist 1898-1993

Difficulties Quotes

No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities, always see them, for they’re always there.
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Dreams Quotes

“Have great hopes and dare to go all out for them. Have great dreams and dare to live them. Have tremendous expectations and believe in them.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Energy Quotes

“The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Faith Quotes by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

“The first step is to fill your life with positive faith that will help you through anything. The second step is to start where you are.” 
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist 1898-1993,

Fear Quotes

“Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Focus and Norman Vincent Peale Quotes

When every physical and mental resource is focused, one’s power to solve a problem multiplies tremendously.
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Energy Quotes by Dr. Peale

“The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Enthusiasm Quotes

“There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

“If you have zest and enthusiasm you attract zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

“Be interesting, be enthusiastic… and don’t talk too much.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Failure Quotes by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

“Even people who have a long record of NOT succeeding can be turned into tremendous achievers if they will discard their images of themselves as failures.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

“Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure.

The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Friendship Quotes

Getting people to like you is merely the other side of liking them.
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Happiness – Norman Vincent Peale Quotes

“Start each day by affirming peaceful, contented and happy attitudes and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful.” 
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

“Let a series of happy thoughts run through your mind. They will show on your face.” 
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist,1898-1993

“If you paint in your mind a picture of bright and happy expectations, you put yourself into a condition conducive to your goal.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist,1898-1993

“The way to happiness; keep your heart free from hate, your mind free from worry, live simply, expect little, give much, scatter sunshine, forget self, and think of others.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

“Our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate. So practice happy thinking everyday. Cultivate the merry heart, develop the happiness habit, and life will become a continual feast.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Imagination and Norman Vincent Peale Quotes

“Imagination is the true magic carpet.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Inspiration Quotes

“Old unhealthy thoughts can block off inspiration and motivation. Dropping them releases a strong flow of power through the mind.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Law of Attraction Quotes

The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results.
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist 1898-1993

“When you expect the best you release a magnetic force in your mind which by a law of attraction tends to bring the best to you.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Money and Quotes by Norman Vincent

“Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Motivation and Norman Vincent Peale Quotes

“Old unhealthy thoughts can block off inspiration and motivation. Dropping them releases a strong flow of power through the mind.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Obstacles Quotes by Norman Vincent Peale

“Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them you’ll find they haven’t half the strength you think they have.“
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Optimism and Norman Vincent Peale Quotes

“Optimism when applied to your life develops strength and peace within you.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Peace Quotes

“The life of inner peace; being harmonious and without stress is the easiest type of existence.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Personal Development

“One of the greatest moments in anybody’s developing experience is when he no longer tries to hide from himself but determines to get acquainted with himself as he really is.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

“It is of practical value to learn to like yourself. Since you must spend so much time with yourself you might as well get some satisfaction out of the relationship.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Possibilities Quotes

“No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities, always see them, for they’re always there.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Positive Thoughts & Positive Thinking Quotes by Norman Vincent Peale

“Let a series of happy thoughts run through your mind. They will show on your face.” 
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist,1898-1993

“The positive thinker is a hard-headed, tough-minded and factual realist. He sees all the difficulties clearly, which is more than can be said for the average negative thinker. But he sees more than difficulties – he tries to see the solutions of those difficulties.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist,1898-1993

The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results.
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

Prayer Quotes by Norman Vincent Peale

“When you pray for anyone you tend to modify your personal attitude toward him.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Procrastination Quotes

If you put off everything till you’re sure of it, you’ll get nothing done.
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Promises Quotes

“Promises are like crying babies in a theater, they should be carried out at once.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Quitting – Don’t Quit Quotes

“It’s always too early to quit.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Success Quotes

“Four things for success: work and pray, think and believe.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Visioning and Norman Vincent Peale Quotes

“Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture… Do not build up obstacles in your imagination.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993

“If you paint in your mind a picture of bright and happy expectations, you put yourself into a condition conducive to your goal.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist,1898-1993

“Hold an image of the life you want, and that image will become fact.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

Worry Quotes by Dr. Peale

“Let nothing trouble you and let nothing worry you.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

“Don’t take tomorrow to bed with you.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, 1898-1993

“Drop the idea that you are Atlas carrying the world on your shoulders. The world would go on even without you. Don’t take yourself so seriously.”
~Norman Vincent Peale, minister, author, positive thinking evangelist, 1898-1993