26 Matthew McConaughey Quotes – Poignant and Powerful

These Matthew McConaughey quotes, give us added depth and insight into one of America’s favorite actors. More than an exceptional actor, Matthew is an extraordinary human being, philosopher, and visionary.

Scrappy and self-proclaimed hedonistic in his younger years, Matthew has fought his way through some crazy life experiences. But through intense and purposeful autodidactic self reflection, he’s wrestled his way into greater self awareness and insight.

Matthew has always sought to make the most of whatever situation. Subsequently, he’s grown into a modern day stoic philosopher and visionary with integrity, insight, and wisdom.

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey Review

Matthew McConaughey’s book — Greenlights — is out and it’s fantastic in so many ways. Matthew isn’t just a great actor, he’s an exceptional writer and storyteller and the audio version of his book is read by him. I HIGHLY recommend you listen to his audiobook, Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

Many of the quotes below are excerpted from his book, that’s a wonderful blend of incredible, funny, inspiring, encouraging and wonderfully entertaining. Having made his name as one of Hollywood’s top actors, Matthew is now making his way into being a prominent thought leader in the motivational, mindset and personal development arena, and we’re so glad because he has tremendous insights and wisdom to impart.

So get ready to be inspired with these Matthew McConaughey Quotes and be sure to read or listen to his book. You’ll be glad you did.

Belief and Matthew McConaughey Quotes

I’m most fearless in my belief in my and mankind’s benevolence and the common denominator of the values among us.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author

SOURCE: Matthew McConaughey on Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu

Creators and Creativity Quotes by Matthew McConaughey

Create structure so you can have freedom. Create your weather, so you can blow in the wind. Map your direction so you can swerve in the lanes. Clean up so you can get dirty. Choreograph, then dance. Learn to read and write before you can start making up words. Initiation before inaugurations. Earn your Saturdays.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

We need disciplines, guidelines, context and responsibility early in any new endeavor. It’s the time to sacrifice, to learn, to observe, to take heed. If and when we get knowledge of the space, the craft, the people, and the plan, then we can let our freak flag fly and create.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

Creativity needs borders. Individuality needs resistance. The earth needs gravity. Without them there is no form, no art, only chaos.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

Confidence and Matthew McConaughey Quotes

We are all made for every moment we encounter. Whether the moment makes us or we make the moment. Whether we are helpless in it or on top of it, the predator or the prey, we are made for that moment.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

Discipline and Structure Quotes by Matthew McConaughey

Create structure so you can have freedom. Create your weather, so you can blow in the wind. Map your direction so you can swerve in the lanes. Clean up so you can get dirty. Choreograph, then dance. Learn to read and write before you can start making up words. Initiation before inaugurations. Earn your Saturdays.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

[To engage in deviant or dishonest behaviors] right now, are an immediate green light, but it’s battery powered. Choose the moves we can make that create the solar powered green lights in our future… that create more freedom for us in our future… that have us so that we don’t have to look over our shoulder in the future and steal our future time. That’s the lights that I’m interested in.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Matthew McConaughey with Aubrey Marcus

We need disciplines, guidelines, context and responsibility early in any new endeavor. It’s the time to sacrifice, to learn, to observe, to take heed. If and when we get knowledge of the space, the craft, the people, and the plan, then we can let our freak flag fly and create.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

Focus Quotes by Matthew McConaughey

Get rid of the excess… the wasted time. Decrease your options, and if you do this, you will have accidentally—almost innocently—put in front of you, what is important to you by process of elimination.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

Freedom and Matthew McConaughey Quotes

There’s a responsibility to freedom and there is freedom in responsibility.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Matthew McConaughey on Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu

Gratitude and Matthew McConaughey Quotes

The easiest way is to dissect success, is through gratitude. Giving thanks for that which we do have, for what is working. Appreciating the simple things we sometimes take for granted. We give thanks for these things and that gratitude reciprocates, creating more to be thankful for.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

Happiness Quotes by Matthew McConaughey

“Happiness is an emotional response to an outcome… that we cannot sustain… because we immediately raise it every time we attain it.”
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Matthew McConaughey speech

“If happiness is what you’re after, then you’re going to be let down frequently and you’re going to be unhappy much of the time.”
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Matthew McConaughey speech

Hope and and Matthew McConaughey Quotes

Hope’s got a higher return on happiness and less debit on denial.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Matthew McConaughey on Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu

Humanity Quotes by Matthew McConaughey

I’m most fearless in my belief in my and mankind’s benevolence and the common denominator of the values among us.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author

SOURCE: Matthew McConaughey on Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu

Intent and Matthew McConaughey Quotes

Words are momentary. Intent is momentous.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Matthew McConaughey on Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu

Joy Quotes by Matthew McConaughey

“Joy is always in process. It’s under construction. It is in constant approach, alive and well in the doing of what we’re fashioned to do.”
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Matthew McConaughey speech

Optimism and Matthew McConaughey Quotes

I am an optimist by nature and humor has been one of my great teachers. It has helped me deal with pain, loss and lack of trust. I am not perfect, no. I step in s#*t all the time and recognize it when I do. I’ve just learned how to scrape it off my boots and carry on.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

Stepping in s#*t is inevitable, so let’s either see it as good luck, or figure out how to do it less often.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

Options Quotes

“Too many options [of desires] will make a tyrant of us all.”
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: VIdeo compilation of Matthew McConaughey clips

Personal Development and Matthew McConaughey Quotes

Defining ourselves by what we are not is the first steps that leads us to what we are.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

Sometimes you gotta go back to go forward. And I don’t mean going back to reminisce or chase ghosts. I mean go back to see where you came from, where you been and how you got here.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Matthew McConaughey Lincoln ad in 2014

Too many options make a tyrant out of any of us, so we should get rid of the excess in life that keep us from being more of ourselves. When we decrease the options that don’t feed us, we eventually, almost accidentally, have more options in front of us that do.
Knowing who we are is hard. Eliminate who we’re not, first, and we’ll find ourselves where we need to be.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

To appreciate a place fully, a man must know that he can live there. When all his discomforts disappear and he lets himself be owned by the place. He needs to customize and localize himself to the place that he visits, to the degree that he knows that he could dwell there forever. Then — and only then — is it truly acceptable for him to leave.

Wherever you are, give the place the justice it deserves.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

EDITOR’S NOTE: In this quote about places, we also perceive it as a metaphor for life. That no matter the circumstance or challenge, that we are to give that experience a place in our life from which to learn, grow and then be able to move on.

Potential and Matthew McConaughey Quotes

Reach beyond your grasp.
Have immortal finish lines and
turn your red light green
because a roof is a man made thing.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

Presence Quotes

When we truly latch onto the fact that we are going to die at some point in time, we have more presence in this one!
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

Resistance Quotes by Matthew McConaughey

Creativity needs borders. Individuality needs resistance. The earth needs gravity. Without them there is no form, no art, only chaos.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

Self Discovery and Matthew McConaughey Quotes

The first step that leads to our identity in life is usually not I know who I am, but rather, I know who I’m not.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE: Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey

Knowing who we are is hard. It’s hard. So give yourself a break. Eliminate who you are not, first, and you’re going to find yourself where you need to be.
~Matthew McConaughey, actor, philosopher, author, b.11/4/1969

SOURCE:

Video Compilation of Matthew McConaughey Speeches

Take 10:20 minutes to enjoy Matthew’s wisdom in his own voice in this excellent video compilation of Matthew McConaughey speeches and interviews.