--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've seen firsthand coming here with…" description: "\"I've seen firsthand coming here with empty pockets but full of dreams, full of desire, full of will to succeed, but with the opportunities that I had, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/680/arnold-schwarzenegger-657_california_i-ve-seen-firsthand-coming-here-with-emp_3143289.jpg" --- # I've seen firsthand coming here with empty pockets but… ![“I've seen firsthand coming here with empty pockets but full of dreams, full of desire, full of will to succeed, but with the opportunities that I had, I could make it. This is why we have to get back and bring California back to where it once was.” quote by Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/680/arnold-schwarzenegger-657_california_i-ve-seen-firsthand-coming-here-with-emp_3143289.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/680/arnold-schwarzenegger-657_california_i-ve-seen-firsthand-coming-here-with-emp_3143289.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/680/arnold-schwarzenegger-657_california_i-ve-seen-firsthand-coming-here-with-emp_3143289.jpg) > “I've seen firsthand coming here with empty pockets but full of dreams, full of desire, full of will to succeed, but with the opportunities that I had, I could make it. This is why we have to get back and bring California back to where it once was.” [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on starting with little money but big dreams, emphasizing perseverance and the need to restore California’s former greatness. **In simple terms:** Hard work and dreams can overcome lack of resources; aim to revive a place’s potential. Key Takeaway Persist despite scarcity and work to improve your community. Themes perseverance ambition community revival Mood determined hopeful Type motivational political When to use this quote - entrepreneurship - public policy - personal development - regional revitalization Key Concepts economics motivation politics Questions to Reflect On - What concrete steps can you take to help revive your community? - How do you sustain motivation when resources are scarce? A Different Perspective Dreams alone aren't enough without concrete action and support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bring California](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bring-california-5611423/) [California](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/california/) [Coming Pockets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coming-pockets-5611425/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Empty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empty/) [Empty pockets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empty-pockets-55331/) [Firsthand Coming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsthand-coming-5611426/) [Get back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get-back/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Opportunities Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunities-make-289549/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Pockets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pockets/) [Pockets Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pockets-dreams-5611424/) [Succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succeed/) [Will to succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will-to-succeed/) ## Related quotes > [the explanation of the ebb and flow of the women's movement ... is partly psychological. During those early post-war years when successes came thick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-rathbone/the-explanation-of-the-ebb-and-flow-of-the-women-s-movement-is-partly/) [Eleanor Rathbone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-rathbone/) > [“Don't drive a car in the dream, else you won't drive it on earth. Don't wish to become, else you won't become. Don't associate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/don-t-drive-a-car-in-the-dream-else-you-won-t-drive-it-on-earth-don-t/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [Empty pockets make empty heads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-carlos-williams/empty-pockets-make-empty-heads/) [William Carlos Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-carlos-williams/) > [“When there's something or someone, when there's anything that makes you happy, you don't let a continent or an ocean or an empty pocket…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-reinhardt/when-there-s-something-or-someone-when-there-s-anything-that-makes/) [Dana Reinhardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-reinhardt/) > [A wealthy traveller fears an ambush, while one with empty pockets journeys on in safety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/a-wealthy-traveller-fears-an-ambush-while-one-with-empty-pockets/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [I'm wearing black leggings and a loose top festooned with a Menger sponge of empty pockets stitched out of smaller pockets and smaller still,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-stross/i-m-wearing-black-leggings-and-a-loose-top-festooned-with-a-menger/) [Charles Stross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-stross/) > [What opposite discoveries we have seen! (Signs of true genius, and of empty pockets.) One makes new noses, one a guillotine, One breaks your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/what-opposite-discoveries-we-have-seen-signs-of-true-genius-and-of/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [If at first you don't succeed, try hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-try-hard-work/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nolan-bushnell/a-lot-of-people-have-ideas-but-there-are-few-who-decide-to-do/) [Nolan Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nolan-bushnell/) > [Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you're not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rockefeller/success-in-business-requires-training-and-discipline-and-hard-work/) [David Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rockefeller/) > [Failure will not overcome me so long as my will to succeed is stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-kirby/failure-will-not-overcome-me-so-long-as-my-will-to-succeed-is-stronger/) [Michael Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-kirby/) > [If you think you can't, you're right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-bartz/if-you-think-you-can-t-you-re-right/) [Carol Bartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-bartz/) > [The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbi-fields/the-important-thing-is-not-being-afraid-to-take-a-chance/) [Debbi Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbi-fields/) > [Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbi-fields/once-you-find-something-you-love-to-do-be-the-best-at-doing-it/) [Debbi Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbi-fields/) > [To succeed, we must have the will to succeed, we must have stamina, determination, backbone, perseverance, self-reliance, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/to-succeed-we-must-have-the-will-to-succeed-we-must-have-stamina/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) ## More by Arnold Schwarzenegger > [You know, nothing is more important than education, because nowhere are our stakes higher; our future depends on the quality of education of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/you-know-nothing-is-more-important-than-education-because-nowhere-are/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [ I do not make decisions \[as governor\] based on what have I learned through my Bible studies, what have I learned in my religious… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/i-do-not-make-decisions-as-governor-based-on-what-have-i-learned/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [It is impossible to be a maverick or a true original if you're too well behaved and don't want to break the rules. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/it-is-impossible-to-be-a-maverick-or-a-true-original-if-you-re-too/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [For the hundreds of thousands of Californians in gay and lesbian households who are managing their day-to-day lives, this decision affirms the full legal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/for-the-hundreds-of-thousands-of-californians-in-gay-and-lesbian/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [I regularly buy and sell cars, but I do not buy and sell fleets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/i-regularly-buy-and-sell-cars-but-i-do-not-buy-and-sell-fleets/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [During the time I was in office we have seen the beginning of the elimination of the fire season completely and are having fires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/during-the-time-i-was-in-office-we-have-seen-the-beginning-of-the/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [The only way to be a champion is by going through these forced reps and the torture and pain. That's way I call it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/the-only-way-to-be-a-champion-is-by-going-through-these-forced-reps/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [What is the point of being on this Earth if you are going to be like everyone else?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/what-is-the-point-of-being-on-this-earth-if-you-are-going-to-be-like/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [What's fascinating is, people in Washington would rather spend time in Hollywood, and people in Hollywood would rather spend time in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/what-s-fascinating-is-people-in-washington-would-rather-spend-time-in/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [Do you have to discipline yourself to have breakfast, lunch or dinner? Of course not; and so discipline - the usual concept of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/do-you-have-to-discipline-yourself-to-have-breakfast-lunch-or-dinner/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [Women are the engine driving the growth in California's economy. Women make California's economy unique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/women-are-the-engine-driving-the-growth-in-california-s-economy-women/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [Posing is a performing art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/posing-is-a-performing-art/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [I can look at a chick who's a little out of shape and if she turns me on, I won't hesitate to date her.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/i-can-look-at-a-chick-who-s-a-little-out-of-shape-and-if-she-turns-me/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [Obviously, I've made statements that were ludicrous and crazy and outrageous and all those things, because that's the way I always was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/obviously-i-ve-made-statements-that-were-ludicrous-and-crazy-and/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [If it bleeds, we can kill it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/if-it-bleeds-we-can-kill-it/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) [Explore all 423 Arnold Schwarzenegger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) ## More California quotes > [Everyone in California is from somewhere else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wright-morris/everyone-in-california-is-from-somewhere-else/) [Wright Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wright-morris/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [We need to incorporate that age-old concept of redemption into the work that we do in the criminal justice system in California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/we-need-to-incorporate-that-age-old-concept-of-redemption-into-the/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [The Urban Literate Southern California Sub-Group of the Early Atomic Period has not yet produced a distinct body of folk music of its own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-hinton/the-urban-literate-southern-california-sub-group-of-the-early-atomic/) [Sam Hinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-hinton/) > [California is a place in which a boom mentality and a sense of Chekhovian loss meet in uneasy suspension.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/california-is-a-place-in-which-a-boom-mentality-and-a-sense-of/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [Many militarists would like to see California's votes vanish from the national electoral system, which would then become more Republican.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-swanson/many-militarists-would-like-to-see-california-s-votes-vanish-from-the/) [David Swanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-swanson/) > [When I started in California, people would say, 'Enterprise who?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-nicholson/when-i-started-in-california-people-would-say-enterprise-who/) [Pamela Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-nicholson/) > [Take one round-trip flight between New York and California, and you've generated about 20 percent of the greenhouse gases that your car emits over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-schlossberg/take-one-round-trip-flight-between-new-york-and-california-and-you-ve/) [Tatiana Schlossberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-schlossberg/) > [These French-style caramels are handmade in California. It's always hard to give them away!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/these-french-style-caramels-are-handmade-in-california-it-s-always/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [The D.C. playbook is obsolete. It's time for the people of California to bring the agenda to Washington, not the other way around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/the-d-c-playbook-is-obsolete-it-s-time-for-the-people-of-california/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [While there is an attempt by the Trump people to say that California isn't really America. California certainly seems like America to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frum/while-there-is-an-attempt-by-the-trump-people-to-say-that-california/) [David Frum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frum/) > [I'm from California, but my father, who passed away when I was young, was from Newark. When I was kid, we would go back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-daly/i-m-from-california-but-my-father-who-passed-away-when-i-was-young/) [Carson Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-daly/) > [“God will break California from the surface of the continent like someone breaking off a piece of chocolate. It will become its own floating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ruby/god-will-break-california-from-the-surface-of-the-continent-like/) [Laura Ruby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ruby/) > [You could have a hit in California that no one had heard of in Oklahoma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-jackson/you-could-have-a-hit-in-california-that-no-one-had-heard-of-in/) [Wanda Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-jackson/) > [My first encounter with yoga was in 1969 with my older brother Doug. I was thirteen years old, and he was eighteen. He'd learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-f-swensen/my-first-encounter-with-yoga-was-in-1969-with-my-older-brother-doug-i/) [David F. Swensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-f-swensen/) [Browse all 2,036 California quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/california/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've seen firsthand coming here with empty pockets but full of dreams, full of desire, full of will to succeed, but with the opportunities that I had, I could make it. 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