Time & hindsight

What is something you were told by a parent, teacher, or mentor that you still repeat to yourself?

25 answers answered between 1991 and 2026

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On the record

Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.

Henry R. Kravis Financier; co-founder of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
One person that is my role model is my father. ... He’s a man who taught me something very important. And that was — give back to society what you’ve taken out.
Recorded Academy of Achievement interview, 12 February 1991 source ↗
Sachin Tendulkar India Test and one-day international cricketer, 1989–2013
He gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told me that [I should] chase my dreams, but make sure you do not find short cuts. The path might be difficult, but don't give up, and I have simply followed his instructions. […] Every time I have done something special [and] showed my bat, it was [for] my father.
Recorded Farewell address, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, The Hindu, 16 November 2013 source ↗
Lynsey Addario Photojournalist and war photographer; Pulitzer Prize winner, 2009
My parents also said, “Don’t follow money. Follow your heart and you’ll be successful.” That’s all they told me and my sisters.
Recorded Academy of Achievement recorded interview, American Academy of Achievement, 21 October 2017 source ↗
Elan Lee Game designer; co-creator of Exploding Kittens
There’s a few that are immediate, because he just drilled them into my head. One is “Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd.” Try as hard as you want to market something, get a crowd. That’s what actually matters. Another one that he still says all the time is, “You’ve got a violin, I’ve got a barn. Let’s put on a show. Don’t overthink this, just go.
Recorded Tim Ferriss, The Tim Ferriss Show podcast, 4 February 2023 source ↗
David Oyelowo Actor, director and producer
“David, you are going to walk among kings.” This was my mum’s prophecy when I was small. My father is from a royal family in Nigeria, so I interpreted it that way. Remarkably, she was right: I went on to play King Pelasgus, Henry VI, Martin Luther King and Seretse Khama.
Recorded The Observer / The Guardian, 19 April 2025 source ↗

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