43 Empowering Chris Gardner Quotes

Christopher Paul “Chris” Gardner is an American Entrepreneur, stockbroker, investor, author, motivational speaker and philanthropist whom, in the 80s, lived homeless with his son Christopher Jr.

‘The Pursuit to Happiness’ was published in 2006 which was also made into a movie played by Will Smith.

Chris Gardner as of 2012, is CEO of his own stock brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co.

Take a look at some of Chris Gardner’s quotes:

43 Empowering Chris Gardner Quotes:

1. “The future was uncertain, absolutely, and there were many hurdles, twists, and turns to come, but as long as I kept moving forward, one foot in front of the other, the voices of fear and shame, the messages from those who wanted me to believe that I wasn’t good enough, would be stilled.” – Chris Gardner

2. “Then again, what seems like nothing in the eyes of the world, when properly valued and put to use, can be among the greatest riches.” – Chris Gardner

3. “(The movie) is the story of my life, but it’s not about me. It’s about anybody who ever dreamed big and had someone tell them, ‘No, you can’t do it.’ You can.” – Chris Gardner

4. “Strong people stand up for themselves. Stronger people stand up for others. The irony is that while sleep sometimes brings nightmares, it’s the reality of my waking hours that can cause me the greater fear.” – Chris Gardner

5. “Others may question your credentials, your papers, your degrees. Others may look for all kinds of ways to diminish your worth. But what is inside you no one can take from you or tarnish.” – Chris Gardner

6. “Still a dreamer, yet more of a realist than ever before, I knew this was my time to sail. On the horizon I saw the shining future, as before. The difference now was that I felt the wind at my back. I was ready.” – Chris Gardner

7. “I just wanted to make a million dollars. But I couldn’t sing and I couldn’t play ball, so I said to my mother, ‘How am I going to make a million dollars?’ And she said to me, ‘Son, if you believe you can do it, you will.'” – Chris Gardner

8. “You can only depend on yourself. The cavalry ain’t coming” – Chris Gardner

9. “Sizing up succinctly his lack of formal education compared with his determination to learn from others, the author writes, “I went to college with every person I ever met.” – Chris Gardner

10. “This is a work of nonfiction. I have rendered the events faithfully and truthfully just as I have recalled them. Some names and descriptions of individuals have been changed in order to respect their privacy. To anyone whose name I did not” – Chris Gardner

11. “Without that sense of self, no amount of paper, no pedigree, and no credentials can make you legit. No matter what, you have to feel legit inside first.” – Chris Gardner

12. “There is no plan B for passion.” – Chris Gardner

13. “I hold one thing dearer than all else: my commitment to my son.” – Chris Gardner

14. “There was a language specific to all things. The ability to learn another language in one arena, whether it was music, medicine, or finance, could be used to accelerate learning and other arenas, too.” – Chris Gardner

15th Chris Gardner Quote – “Wealth can also be that attitude of gratitude with which we remind ourselves everyday to count our blessings.” – Chris Gardner

16. “People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you that you can’t do it. You want something? Go get it.” – Chris Gardner

17. “Always, always pursue happiness.” – Chris Gardner

18. “The secret to success: find something you love to do so much, you can’t wait for the sun to rise to do it all over again.” – Chris Gardner

19. “One of the things young people always ask me about is what is the secret to success. The secret is there is no secret. It’s the basics. Blocking and tackling.” – Chris Gardner

20. “Don’t ever let someone tell you, you can’t do something.” – Chris Gardner

21. “Claim ownership of your dreams.” – Chris Gardner

22. “You know how mountains get moved? Everyone who can move a couple, move a couple. Those who can move rocks, move rocks. Those who can move boulders, move boulders. That’s how mountains get moved. If every one of us did everything we could, I believe we would be in a different world.” – Chris Gardner

23. “Find something that you love. Something that gets you so excited you can’t wait to get out of bed in the morning. Forget about money. Be happy.” – Chris Gardner

24. “Walk that walk and go forward all the time. Don’t just talk that talk, walk it and go forward. Also, the walk didn’t have to be long strides; baby steps counted too. Go forward.” – Chris Gardner

25th Chris Gardner Quote – “It’s okay to fail; it’s not okay to quit.” – Chris Gardner

26. “If you have a dream, you’ve got to protect it.” – Chris Gardner

27. “Well, I really don’t want to be a high-powered corporate lawyer. I’m really passionate about painting.” – Chris Gardner

28. “Do something that you love. Whatever you’re going to do is going to be tough enough. Find something that gets you so excited that the sun can’t come up early enough in the morning because you want to go do your thing.” – Chris Gardner

29. “It can be done, but you have to make it happen.” – Chris Gardner

30. “The balance in your life is more important than the balance in your checking account.” – Chris Gardner

31. “I was late once and it cost me $50,000. I figure it was cheaper to wear two watches.” – Chris Gardner

32. “The world is your oyster. It’s up to you to find the pearls.” – Chris Gardner

33. “But if you don’t take the necessary steps to make them happen, dreams are just mirages that mess with your head!” – Chris Gardner

34. “I was homeless, but I wasn’t hopeless. I knew a better day was coming.” – Chris Gardner

35. “The money thing will come. I know so many people who have so much more money than I. They are miserable. It is so important to be happy.” – Chris Gardner

36. “Do something that makes you happy and makes you feel good about yourself.” – Chris Gardner

37. “As busy as I am wherever I am, I try to get out and walk the streets, to remember how far I’ve come and appreciate every baby step of the way.” – Chris Gardner

38. “Though my mom had too many of her own dreams denied, deferred and destroyed, she instilled in me that I could have dreams. And not just have dreams but had a responsibility to make them reality. My mom taught me from a very early age that I could do anything I wanted to do.” – Chris Gardner

39. “I was Chris Gardner, father of a son who deserved better than what my daddy could do for me, son of Betty Jean Gardner who said that if I wanted to win I could win.” – Chris Gardner

40. “Do something that makes you feel your work is significant and meaningful. If you just want to make money, that’s a whole different trip. I can’t help you with that.” – Chris Gardner

41. “No matter how much money is involved or no matter how easy it is for you to do, if you’re not happy, you are nothing more than a slave to your talent and money.” – Chris Gardner

42. “Hunker down, strap in, and hold on. Hold on baby!” – Chris Gardner

43. “We all understand genetics. You get your eyes from your dad, your mom’s nose, there’s nothing you can do about that. But your spiritual genetics you can choose, pick, embrace and commit to. That’s what I did.” – Chris Gardner

What’s your favorite Chris Gardner Quote? Share your favorite quote in the comment section below.