#work-ethic

"[On writing:] "There's a great quote by Julius Irving that went, 'Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don't feel like doing them.'"(One On 1, interview with Budd Mishkin; NY1, March 25, 2007.)"

"The difference between greed and ambition is a greedy person desires things he isn't prepared to work for."

"but I have no mind for business and considered staying awake to be enough of an accomplishment."

"I’m not a very good sleeper. But you know what? I’m willing to put in a few extra hours every day to get better. That’s just the kind of hard worker I am."

"What you do is what matters, not what you think or say or plan."

"Some say if you want success surround yourself with successful people. I say if you want true and lasting success surround yourself with people of integrity."

"My circumstances of unrelieved responsibility and permanent distraction necessitated the short story form."

"Perfect is the enemy of good."

"You gotta run more than your mouth to escape the treadmill of mediocrity. A true hustler jogs during the day, and sleepwalks at night."

"Get going. Move forward. Aim High. Plan a takeoff. Don't just sit on the runway and hope someone will come along and push the airplane. It simply won't happen. Change your attitude and gain some altitude. Believe me, you'll love it up here."

"Who you are tomorrow begins with what you do today."

"I think the key indicator for wealth is not good grades, work ethic, or IQ. I believe it's relationships. Ask yourself two questions: How many people do I know, and how much ransom money could I get for each one?"

"Be as successful as a Smith."