People tell me, "You're such an optimist". Am I an optimist? An optimist says the glass is half full. A pessimist says the glass is half empty. A survivalist is practical. He says, "Call it what you want, but just… — Louis Zamperini Copy Share Image
Someone who doesn't make the (Olympic) team might weep and collapse. In my day no one fell on the track and cried like a baby. We lost gracefully. And when someone won, he didn't act like he'd just become king of the world, either. Athletes in my day were simply humble in our victory. I believe we were more mature… — Louis Zamperini Copy Share
The kids started teasing me to get me to swear in Italian. Two or three months, I started retaliating. I found out I could whip these guys. So I'm always fighting, getting even. Even the girls in school, when they gave me trouble, I'd take a glove of garlic, chew it, and blow my breath at them. So my whole… — Louis Zamperini Copy Share
You have to reach deep within yourself to see if you are willing to make the sacrifices. — Louis Zamperini Copy Share Image
Pain is that last quarter of a mile. You feel it, but when you’re through racing, your whole body just feels elated. So the… — Louis Zamperini Copy Share Image
The great commandment is that we preach the gospel to every creature, but neither God nor the Bible says anything about forcing it down… — Louis Zamperini Copy Share Image
Even at my age, I'm trying to improve. Never give up, no matter what. Even if you get last place - finish. — Louis Zamperini Copy Share Image
To persevere, I think, is important for everybody. Don't give up, don't give in. There's always an answer to everything. — Louis Zamperini Copy Share Image
Yet a part of you still believes you can fight and survive no matter what your mind knows. It's not so strange. Where there's… — Louis Zamperini Copy Share Image
