Opportunity knocks in the most unexpected ways. It arrives in moments of change, challenge, and even adversity. Quotes on opportunity can inspire us to recognize, seize, and make the most of these moments.
The right words can be a guiding light, lifting us when we feel low and nudging us forward when we hesitate. Here’s a collection of the best opportunity quotes to inspire and motivate you on your journey.
Historical Opportunity Quotes
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.”
“Opportunity does not knock, it presents itself when you beat down the door.”
“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.”
“When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters—one represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.”
“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.”
“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.”
“The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious.”
“Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.”
“It’s through curiosity and looking at opportunities in new ways that we’ve always mapped our path.”
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect.”
“Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the ‘Titanic’ who waved off the dessert cart.”
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
“Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. Every sunrise begins with new eyes.”
“Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there more quickly than waiting for one big one to come along.”
“Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.”
“Opportunities don’t often come along. So, when they do, you have to grab them.”
“A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.”
“Opportunity often comes disguised in the form of misfortune or temporary defeat.”
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
“To see an opportunity, we must be open to all thoughts.”
“In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact.”
“When opportunity presents itself, don’t be afraid to go after it.”
“Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor.”
“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.”
“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.”
“A year from now you may wish you had started today.”
“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.”
“Life offers you a thousand chances… all you have to do is take one.”
Inspirational Opportunity Quotes
“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.”
“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”
“Don’t wait for the right opportunity: create it.”
“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
“Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open.”
“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.”
“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”
“A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.”
“If you don’t take risks, you’ll have a wasted soul.”
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
“Every moment is a fresh beginning.”
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.”
“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.”
“Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor.”
“Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.”
“Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.”
“When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.”
“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.”
“The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.”
“Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there more quickly than waiting for one big one to come along.”
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.”
“When opportunity presents itself, don’t be afraid to go after it.”
“Opportunities are like invisible pathways, waiting to be discovered and explored.”
“Success is the offspring of preparation and opportunity.”
“The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious.”
“Within every obstacle is an opportunity; it just requires a shift in perspective to see it.”
Opportunity Quotes for Entrepreneurs
“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.”
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”
“The big opportunities are always those that break new ground.”
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
“In every crisis, doubt or confusion, take the higher path – the path of compassion, courage, understanding and love.”
“Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor.”
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.”
“When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.”
“Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.”
“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”
“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.”
“To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.”
“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.”
“Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.”
“Don’t wait for the right opportunity: create it.”
“In every adversity lies the seed of an equal or greater opportunity.”
“The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity.”
“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.”
“Opportunity is a haughty goddess who wastes no time with those who are unprepared.”
“I will prepare and someday my chance will come.”
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
“Life is a journey with big opportunities disguised as obstacles and challenges.”
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”
“Sometimes opportunity knocks, but most of the time it sneaks up and then quietly steals away.”
“While we stop to think, we often miss our opportunity.”
“The meeting of preparation with opportunity generates the offspring we call luck.”
“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.”
“It’s through curiosity and looking at opportunities in new ways that we’ve always mapped our path.”
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
Opportunity Quotes in Literature
“It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.” – Jackie Joyner-Kersee
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” – Helen Keller
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.” – Leonard Bernstein
“Seize the moments of happiness, love, and be loved! That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly.”
“A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.” – Francis Bacon
“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Don’t wait for the right opportunity: create it.” – George Bernard Shaw
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker
“To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.” – Pearl S. Buck
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Seneca
“A day can bend your life. Love can close the wounds, lift the curse. Opportunity can open the door, start anew.” – John Steinbeck, ‘East of Eden’
“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” – Proverbs 16:16
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein
“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.” – Ann Landers
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” – Anaïs Nin
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” – Robert F. Kennedy
“When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters—one represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.” – John F. Kennedy
“Every exit is an entry somewhere else.” – Tom Stoppard, ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’
“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.” – William Butler Yeats
“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently.” – Marie Forleo
“Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
“Do not be afraid to take big steps when one is indicated; you can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.” – David Lloyd George
“The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.” – Flora Whittemore
“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.” – William Arthur Ward
“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill
“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” – William Shakespeare
“In times of great stress or adversity, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.” – Lee Iacocca
Closing Thoughts
Reflecting on these opportunity quotes can truly inspire us to see possibilities where we once saw obstacles. Each quote is a reminder that opportunities often arise in unexpected places or moments. They encourage us to step out of our comfort zones and take chances, no matter how small.
Whether you’re seeking motivation for a new venture or just need a little push to keep going, these quotes can provide the boost you need. By keeping these wise words in mind, you can better navigate life’s twists and turns, ready to seize any opportunity that comes your way.
