--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I began with absolutely nothing, and I'm…" description: "\"“I began with absolutely nothing, and I'm so good, I've still got most of it left!”\" — Emory Sharplin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/955/emory-sharplin-28973_began_i-began-with-absolutely-nothing-and-i-m_568903.jpg" --- # I began with absolutely nothing, and I'm so good, I've… ![“I began with absolutely nothing, and I'm so good, I've still got most of it left!” quote by Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/955/emory-sharplin-28973_began_i-began-with-absolutely-nothing-and-i-m_568903.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/955/emory-sharplin-28973_began_i-began-with-absolutely-nothing-and-i-m_568903.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/955/emory-sharplin-28973_began_i-began-with-absolutely-nothing-and-i-m_568903.jpg) > ““I began with absolutely nothing, and I'm so good, I've still got most of it left!”” [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Starting from nothing, one can retain most of their talent through humility and continuous growth **In simple terms:** Begin with nothing, keep most talent Key Takeaway Stay humble, keep learning Themes humility growth talent Mood confident optimistic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - career start - skill acquisition - personal branding Key Concepts Self‑development motivation Questions to Reflect On - How to balance confidence and humility? - What habits preserve talent over time? A Different Perspective Overconfidence can lead to stagnation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absolutely Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolutely-good-1368827/) [Began](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/began/) [Began Absolutely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/began-absolutely-4700336/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Got Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/got-left-275616/) ## Related quotes > [God is absolutely good; and so, assuredly, the cause of all that is good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/god-is-absolutely-good-and-so-assuredly-the-cause-of-all-that-is-good/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [I know that there is absolutely good in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-schull/i-know-that-there-is-absolutely-good-in-the-world/) [Amanda Schull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-schull/) > [My father was absolutely no good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-father-was-absolutely-no-good/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Fralnky I think that's absolutely good stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikel/fralnky-i-think-that-s-absolutely-good-stuff/) [Mikel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikel/) > [Frnalky I think that's absolutely good stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrence/frnalky-i-think-that-s-absolutely-good-stuff/) [Darrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrence/) > [I’ll never second guess the things that I have done. I’ve got too much left to say and too much to become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-gaskarth/i-ll-never-second-guess-the-things-that-i-have-done-i-ve-got-too-much/) [Alex Gaskarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-gaskarth/) > [“I’m with the fool in the psalm. You thought we could get on without you; no – you didn’t care whether we got on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-pullman/i-m-with-the-fool-in-the-psalm-you-thought-we-could-get-on-without/) [Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/) > [What honour have we got left, when nobody is listening to us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakar-bashir/what-honour-have-we-got-left-when-nobody-is-listening-to-us/) [Abu Bakar Bashir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakar-bashir/) > [Still got something left to prove. It tends to keep things movin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/still-got-something-left-to-prove-it-tends-to-keep-things-movin/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One of my mottos is flaunt what you've got left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cybill-shepherd/one-of-my-mottos-is-flaunt-what-you-ve-got-left/) [Cybill Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cybill-shepherd/) > [I miss my heart, it just got up and left¦ Said it would be back once it found you¦!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-miss-my-heart-it-just-got-up-and-left-said-it-would-be-back-once-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Give your freedom to someone or to something and then look at yourself what have you got? I tell you, you've got nothing left!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/give-your-freedom-to-someone-or-to-something-and-then-look-at/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [What's the future of mankind? How do I know, I got left behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ozzy-osbourne/what-s-the-future-of-mankind-how-do-i-know-i-got-left-behind/) [Ozzy Osbourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ozzy-osbourne/) > [As you get older, the questions come down to about two or three. How long? And what do I do with the time I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/as-you-get-older-the-questions-come-down-to-about-two-or-three-how/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [When what's left of you gets around to what's left to be gotten, what's left to be gotten won't be worth getting whatever it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-kaye/when-what-s-left-of-you-gets-around-to-what-s-left-to-be-gotten-what/) [Danny Kaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-kaye/) ## More by Emory Sharplin > [“You speak without regard to your debt." "You speak with jealousy," Lorelei said. "I recommend you stop speaking at all now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/you-speak-without-regard-to-your-debt-you-speak-with-jealousy-lorelei/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“Leave the bragging for the idiots, she had decided. And leave the idiots for the scaffold.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/leave-the-bragging-for-the-idiots-she-had-decided-and-leave-the/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“Grandfather Razini stole it from a port in Newsensefords a couple of years ago." She raised her brows."How do you steal a boat?" "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/grandfather-razini-stole-it-from-a-port-in-newsensefords-a-couple-of/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“I haven't decided yet if you're witty or clueless." "All of the above," Napier answered. "Unless charming is an option, of course.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/i-haven-t-decided-yet-if-you-re-witty-or-clueless-all-of-the-above/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“I think love and hate intertwine far too much for humanity's own good, yet we choose to compare them like vinegar and water.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/i-think-love-and-hate-intertwine-far-too-much-for-humanity-s-own-good/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“Napier surfaced next to her and propped his arms on the ledge. "I meant to ask - can you swim?" "No," she said through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/napier-surfaced-next-to-her-and-propped-his-arms-on-the-ledge-i-meant/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“She's the princess, Colt!" Addie grabbed his arm. "She's just like we imagined, isn't she?" Napier hopped down to inspect the wound. "You imagined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/she-s-the-princess-colt-addie-grabbed-his-arm-she-s-just-like-we/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“A GIRL WAS BORN FROM DARKNESS, AND SHONE JUST LIKE THE SUN. SHE ROSE TO FOOL THE HEARTLESS, BUT GAVE HER LOVE TO NONE.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/a-girl-was-born-from-darkness-and-shone-just-like-the-sun-she-rose-to/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“Tucker met his eyes and set her hand in his. "I've never met a gypsy before." "I'm honoured to be your first." He kissed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/tucker-met-his-eyes-and-set-her-hand-in-his-i-ve-never-met-a-gypsy/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn if it was staring you in the face.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/you-couldn-t-hit-the-broad-side-of-a-barn-if-it-was-staring-you-in/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“They will base that judgment on whatever the status of your escort and manners are." "Escort and manners?" Tucker scoffed. "What good are manners?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/they-will-base-that-judgment-on-whatever-the-status-of-your-escort/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“Napier grinned. "I'm flattered." "I'm sure you are," Colt said. "You've always been optimistic in your interpretations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/napier-grinned-i-m-flattered-i-m-sure-you-are-colt-said-you-ve-always/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“The art of flexibility?" "A most valuable talent," Napier grinned. "Most valuable indeed." Tucker turned back around in the saddle, having the good sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/the-art-of-flexibility-a-most-valuable-talent-napier-grinned-most/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“You could always count on serendipity to keep things interesting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/you-could-always-count-on-serendipity-to-keep-things-interesting/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) > [“Don't you own a pair of riding pants?" Tucker shook her head, wondering how fast horses were. Lorelei shot her sister a harsh glare.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/don-t-you-own-a-pair-of-riding-pants-tucker-shook-her-head-wondering/) [Emory Sharplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) [Explore all 19 Emory Sharplin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/) ## More Began quotes > [When I was 13, I began relaxing my hair, and that meant when I turned 18 it began to crack and fall off, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soledad-o-brien/when-i-was-13-i-began-relaxing-my-hair-and-that-meant-when-i-turned/) [Soledad O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soledad-o-brien/) > [We began intercepting Japanese radio transmissions, which indicated the two forces were very close to each other. We found out later that we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-adams/we-began-intercepting-japanese-radio-transmissions-which-indicated/) [Jack Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-adams/) > [“Begin as you mean to go on, and go on as you began, and let the Lord be all in all to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-h-spurgeon/begin-as-you-mean-to-go-on-and-go-on-as-you-began-and-let-the-lord-be/) [Charles H. Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-h-spurgeon/) > [We began as mineral. We emerged into plant life, and into the animal state, and then into being human, and always we have forgotten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/we-began-as-mineral-we-emerged-into-plant-life-and-into-the-animal/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [I didn't have any role models. I really thought I was doomed to this loveless, lonely life. I didn't know any gay people until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/i-didn-t-have-any-role-models-i-really-thought-i-was-doomed-to-this/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [I began with small roles in successful movies like 'No Country For Old Men' by the Coen brothers; but it was 'The Last Exorcism'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-landry-jones/i-began-with-small-roles-in-successful-movies-like-no-country-for-old/) [Caleb Landry Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb-landry-jones/) > [When God made the world, all things began with him. Life, death, it all began when he said so. That includes you and me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manae-poet-of-carisis/when-god-made-the-world-all-things-began-with-him-life-death-it-all/) [Manae Poet Of Carisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manae-poet-of-carisis/) > [“I'm not giving up my life. My life began when I met you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-eckrich/i-m-not-giving-up-my-life-my-life-began-when-i-met-you/) [Shannon Eckrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-eckrich/) > [I was precocious, so I began reading 'Cosmo' when I was 12.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-coles/i-was-precocious-so-i-began-reading-cosmo-when-i-was-12/) [Joanna Coles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-coles/) > [When the 2008 victory of Barack Obama and the defeat of grumpy old John McCain began looking, um, inevitable, I started fielding inquiries about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perlstein/when-the-2008-victory-of-barack-obama-and-the-defeat-of-grumpy-old/) [Rick Perlstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perlstein/) > [I was a photographer. That's how I began my career, behind the camera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shweta-tripathi/i-was-a-photographer-that-s-how-i-began-my-career-behind-the-camera/) [Shweta Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shweta-tripathi/) > [The work-family divide is the biggest issue for American women. But in some ways it's amazing how adjusted society has become to it. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-collins/the-work-family-divide-is-the-biggest-issue-for-american-women-but-in/) [Gail Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-collins/) > [I often get asked, 'Is the book dead?' It hasn't happened yet. It's different than music. Music was always meant to be pure sound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-kidd/i-often-get-asked-is-the-book-dead-it-hasn-t-happened-yet-it-s/) [Chip Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-kidd/) > [I wasn‘t—" I began. I didn‘t—" He began. How charming," V‘lane cut us off. His voice arrived before he did. "The very portrait of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/i-wasn-t-i-began-i-didn-t-he-began-how-charming-v-lane-cut-us-off-his/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Watergate got us to think of leaders as mere mortals. America began to think of itself in a very different way - I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perlstein/watergate-got-us-to-think-of-leaders-as-mere-mortals-america-began-to/) [Rick Perlstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perlstein/) [Browse all 658 Began quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/began/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I began with absolutely nothing, and I'm so good, I've still got most of it left!”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emory Sharplin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/i-began-with-absolutely-nothing-and-i-m-so-good-i-ve-still-got-most/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Began" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/i-began-with-absolutely-nothing-and-i-m-so-good-i-ve-still-got-most/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/955/emory-sharplin-28973_began_i-began-with-absolutely-nothing-and-i-m_568903.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/955/emory-sharplin-28973_began_i-began-with-absolutely-nothing-and-i-m_568903.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/955/emory-sharplin-28973_began_i-began-with-absolutely-nothing-and-i-m_568903.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I began with absolutely nothing, and I'm so good, I've still got most of it left!” — Emory Sharplin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Emory Sharplin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-sharplin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I began with absolutely nothing, and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/i-began-with-absolutely-nothing-and-i-m-so-good-i-ve-still-got-most/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-sharplin/i-began-with-absolutely-nothing-and-i-m-so-good-i-ve-still-got-most/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```