Beginning Quote by Dale Carnegie
“Do you know someone you would like to change and regulate and improve? Good! That is fine. I am all in favor of it, But why not begin on yourself? From a purely selfish standpoint, that is a lot more profitable than trying to improve others - yes, and a lot less dangerous.”
About This Quote
Source Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People, 1936
Encourages self‑improvement before trying to change others, highlighting personal growth as more rewarding and safer.
In simple terms: Improve yourself first; it’s more beneficial and less risky.
Key Takeaway
Focus on personal development before influencing others.
Themes
self‑improvement
leadership
ethics
Mood
reflective
motivational
pragmatic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- personal relationships
- community service
Key Concepts
personal responsibility
influence strategies
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal habit will you start improving?
- How can you model change for others?
A Different Perspective
Self‑change can be difficult and may not yield immediate results.
![“I don't want to be remembered for my tennis accomplishments. That's no contribution to society. [Tennis] was purely selfish; that was for me.” quote by Arthur Ashe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/01c/arthur-ashe-8868_accomplishment_i-don-t-want-to-be-remembered-for-my-ten_265871.jpg)
