Al Gore quotes: former United States Vice President preaches about purpose, energy, dealing with change, and more.
“No matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to shake the soul and let the glory out.”
“I will tell you that what gives me a sense of joy is having work to do that justifies pouring every ounce of energy I have into it. That’s really a blessing to have in your life. And it gives you energy back when you have the privilege of doing work that makes you feel that way.”
“We sometimes emphasize the danger in a crisis without focusing on the opportunities that are there.”
“If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of failure.”
“But the old phrase, ‘Good things take time,’ is true of successful businesses as well. And in order to really invest wisely, you need to be able to have some patience.”
“Leadership means inspiring us to manage through our fears.”
“Fear is the most powerful enemy of reason.”
“When people flirt with despair about the future, they are less likely to take the actions necessary to safeguard it, focusing instead on the short-term.”
“Like an audience entertained by a magician, we allow ourselves to be deceived by those with a stake in persuading us to ignore reality.”
“A lot of people go straight from denial to despair without pausing in the middle and doing something about it.”
“Among the lessons I’ve learned is the importance of conveying realistic hope. Because despair can be paralyzing, and the fear of these consequences – whether long term, mid term or short term – is not necessarily the most effective way to change minds and motivate people. But when you can convey hope in a realistic way, that unlocks a higher fraction of the potential for change.”
“If the only tool we use to analyze what’s valuable is a price tag, then those things that don’t have price tags begin to look like they have no value.”
“Let’s make progress our new reality.”
“A zebra does not change its spots.”
“In a time of darkness, you don’t curse the darkness, you light a candle.”
“Each and every one of us can make changes in the way we live our lives and become part of the solution to climate change.”
“What we take for granted might not be here for our children.”
“Believe in the power of your own voice. The more noise you make, the more accountability you demand from your leaders, the more our world will change for the better.”
“When you have the facts on your side, argue the facts. When you have the law on your side, argue the law. When you have neither, holler.”
“It is just human nature to take time to connect the dots, I know that. But I also know that there can be a day of reckoning when you wish you had connected the dots more quickly.”
“There is the natural tendency that all of us are vulnerable to, to deny unpleasant realities and to look for any excuse to push them away and resolve to think about them another day long in the future.”
“I think that more diversity is a good thing, and fresh points of view articulated by people who are committed to excellence in journalism is a beneficial change in the American media landscape.”
“We Americans write our own history. And the chapters of which we’re proudest are the ones where we had the courage to change. Time and again, Americans have seen the need for change, and have taken the initiative to bring that change to life.”
“I have always been fascinated with those who try to look over the horizon and see things that are coming at us.”
“I had a detailed plan for my life, but it turned out life had a completely different plan for me. And I feel joy that I have work that feels like it justifies pouring everything I have into it. I never have fallen prey to the illusion that there’s any job with as much ability to influence the future as that of President of the United States, but I do feel grateful that I found other ways to do work that serves the public interest.”
“I feel passionate about solving the climate crisis.”
“I have worked to try to improve the quality of life in our country and in our world. And what I’ve seen during that experience is an emerging future that’s very exciting, about which I’m very optimistic, and toward which I want to lead.”
“I really have a strong sense that this is what I’m supposed to be doing. And I see a little progress that results from it, and that gives me more energy. When I see and hear people say, ‘This has really given me what I need to know to go out and help bring about change,’ then that makes me want to do more. Like anybody, sometimes, you get physically tired after a long day of course. But the next morning, I’m rarin’ to go. I mean, I really am energized by this work.”
“Let me say how grateful I am to all those who supported me and supported the cause for which we have fought.”
“I’m not trying to top anything. I’m trying to be useful, to play a positive role, to serve the public interest.”
“It’s a blessing to have work that feels fulfilling.”
“I am Al Gore, and I used to be the next President of the United States of America. I don’t find that particularly funny.”
“And now, my friends, in a phrase I once addressed to others, it’s time for me to go. Thank you, and good night, and God bless America.”
Now here’s what Bill Clinton said about success.
