20 Edgar Allan Poe Quotes That Apply to Business
Edgar Allan Poe was a writer, poet, editor, and literary critic who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1809. He is best known for being one of the creators of the detective fiction genre. His work influenced literature around the world, and his work features in popular culture in the fields of literature, television, films, and music. As he was an influential person, quotes from Poe are often used for inspirational and motivational purposes. Here are 20 Edgar Allan Poe quotes that apply to business.
20. On Learning from the Past
“There are few persons who have not, at some period in their lives, amused themselves in retracing the steps by which particular conclusions of their own minds have been attained.”
Although you should focus on moving forward and looking to the future, there are often lessons you can learn from the past. Looking at the past says a lot about where you are now. You can learn from your previous mistakes and avoid these in the future. It is also possible to gain a greater understanding of why you do things a certain way so that you can decide if you should continue to use the same strategies or make changes.
19. On Learning Through Observation
“To observe attentively is to remember distinctly.”
Sometimes, learning from observation is far more useful than learning from books. While a book will describe the theory of how to do something, observation will allow you to learn by seeing something in action. Many people find this a clearer way to learn and easier to remember in the future.
18. On Assessing a Situation
“Actually, I do have doubts, all the time. Any thinking person does. There are so many sides to every question.”
On some occasions, you must make decisions quickly. However, when the decision is an important one that could potentially have serious or long-lasting consequences, then it is important to take some time over that decision. Weigh up the pros and cons, look at the various potential outcomes, and then base your decision on a balanced assessment of the situation.
17. On Facing Criticism
“In Criticism, I will be bold, and as sternly, absolutely just with friend and foe. From this purpose, nothing shall turn me.”
It is inevitable that you will face criticism, but it is important that you do not let this get to you or hold you back in any way. Some criticism is constructive, and you can use it to progress. On the other hand, people are sometimes critical due jealousy. In the case of the latter, you must learn to ignore the critics. Listening to them could set you back and knock your self-confidence.
16. On Gaining Respect for Working for Your Success
“You will observe that the stories told are all about money-seekers, not about money-finders.”
People have respect for those who have earned their money and become successful through their own efforts compared to people who are rich and powerful simply due to good fortune or inheritance. If you have worked hard to get where you are, then others will respect you and you can take pride in your achievements.
15. On Not Wasting Time on Conflict
“A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.”
Anger, hatred, resentment, and the desire for revenge are waste emotions that will prevent you from focusing on the important aspects of your business. These are emotions that you may feel if someone lets you down or you face challenges from the competition. Instead of wasting time and energy on these emotions, put your efforts into focusing on the positives.
14. On Taking a Straightforward Approach
“So resolute is the world to despise anything which carries with it an air of simplicity.”
There is a tendency to believe that the more complicated a system or strategy is, the better it must be for a business. This is not always the case. Sometimes you need to use a simpler approach as this will save you time and money. It can also reduce the likelihood of confusion, mistakes, and misunderstandings.
13. On Continuing to Learn
“Ah, not in knowledge is happiness, but in the acquisition of knowledge! In forever knowing, we are forever blessed; but to know all, were the curse of a friend.”
Continuing to learn can make a big difference to your life and your business. Learning new skills, gaining experience and expanding your knowledge can all help with various aspects of developing your business and help you to progress faster and more efficiently. It is a mistake to believe that you know everything, as this will prevent you from making improvements.
12. On Acting on Your Ideas
“That single thought is enough. The impulse increases to a wish, the wish to a desire, the desire to an uncontrollable longing, and the longing is indulged.”
Having an idea is enough to take the first step towards achieving big things. Once you have the idea and this develops into a desire to succeed, you can do anything you want with your life. However, you can only do this if you are willing to take the first step by acting on your ideas rather than simply thinking about them.
11. On Using Both Logic and Imagination
“It will be found, in fact, that the ingenious are always fanciful, and the truly imaginative never otherwise than analytic.”
Having good logic is not enough to succeed in business. Neither is having a fantastic imagination. You must have a range of skills and the ability to combine both logic and imagination to everything you do. Logic is what will take care of the sound business decisions, while imagination is what will create the ideas that make you stand out from the competition.
10. On Facing the Unknown
“I dread the events of the future, not in themselves but in their results.”
Most people have a fear of the unknown, and this is often what stops people from venturing into business or from taking their business to the next level. They worry about failure, making mistakes, and their ideas not being as successful as they had thought. Unless you face these fears and take on the unknown, you will never know whether you can become successful or not.
9. On Always Trying Your Best”
“The true genius shudders at incompleteness- imperfection- and usually prefers silence to saying something which is not everything that should be said.”
This Edgar Allan Poe quote listed on Goalcast is all about trying your best at all times. If you have always tried your best, then you can take satisfaction in knowing that you have given it your all. Putting in your best effort at all times will give you a better chance of delivering the best products or services possible, and progressing your business faster.
8. On the Highs and Lows
“Never to suffer would never to have been blessed.”
In business, you will experience both highs and lows. This Edgar Allan Poe quote suggests that you cannot fully appreciate the highs without also experiencing the lows. Sometimes, it is the low times that can help you to progress to enjoying the good times because they are a learning experience.
7. On the Power of Words
“Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.”
Listed by Penguin, this Edgar Allan Poe quote is about the power of words and the importance of communication. Good communication can play a key role in all aspects of your business. It will make a difference to the clarity of instructions, how well your team works together, the efficiency of systems you have in place, and even how you present your business to the public.
6. On Having Dreams
“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.”
Many people only have dreams while they sleep. It is those who also have dreams while they are awake that are the most likely to become successful. People who not only have dreams but who are also willing to act on them are those that stand out from the average person. To achieve your goals, put strategies in place to make sure you achieve your targets in life.
5. On Having Passion for Your Work
“There is an eloquence in true enthusiasm.”
Having passion for your work is essential. If you do not feel passion for what you are doing, then it is unlikely that you will maintain your motivation in the long-term. This means that you will not have enough enthusiasm to put the effort in to take your ideas and make them a success. Those who do not feel passion for what they are doing should think about what makes them happy, reassess their life, and change to doing something that sparks their passion.
4. On Facing Your Fears
“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.”
According to this Edgar Allan Poe quote listed on Awaken the Greatness Within, fear is one of the biggest factors that can prevent you from achieving your dreams. It is the fear of the unknown and the fear of failure that stops people from taking a leap of faith or taking risks. You sometimes just need to take that risk if you want to find out if you can achieve your dreams. Although it can take a lot of courage to do this, you might find that it was worth the risk.
3. On the Satisfaction of Hard Work
“The best things in life make you sweaty.”
In this Edgar Allan Poe quote, the poet is referring to physical hard work. However, you can also apply the quote to any type of hard work in business settings. It means that there is a deep sense of satisfaction and achievement in anything for which you have worked hard, Running or leading a successful business can require a great deal of hard work, but your efforts are rewarded with success. There are very few people who become successful in business without putting in a lot of hard work along the way.
2. On Combining Your Skills to Your Advantage
“As a poet and mathematician, he would reason well; as a mere mathematician, he could not have reasoned at all.”
Everyone has multiple skills, and it is important that you utilize all of them if you want to become successful in business. The first step is to analyze your strengths and weaknesses, as this will identify your skills and the areas you need to improve. Then, work out how your skillset can benefit your business, and make sure you use a combination of your skills for the best purposes. You should also assess the skills of your team, as they may have strengths in your areas of weakness.
1. On Taking Control of Your Own Destiny
“The ninety and nine are with dreams, content, but the hope of the world made new, is the hundredth man who is grimly bent on making those dreams come true.”
According to Inspiration Feed, this is one of the best Edgar Allan Poe quotes that apply to business. It highlights the fact that most people have dreams. Unfortunately, the majority of people are not willing to do anything about them and are content to float along in life, just going with the flow. It is the small proportion of people who are willing to act on their dreams that will make a change, become successful, and take responsibility for achieving their full potential. If you want to be one of these people, then you must take action as your destiny is in your hands.