--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Opportunity may knock only once but…" description: "\"Opportunity may knock only once but temptation leans on the door bell\" — Oprah Winfrey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d10/oprah-winfrey-186_attitude_opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-temp_1199665.png" --- # Opportunity may knock only once but temptation leans on… ![“Opportunity may knock only once but temptation leans on the door bell” quote by Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d10/oprah-winfrey-186_attitude_opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-temp_1199665.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d10/oprah-winfrey-186_attitude_opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-temp_1199665.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d10/oprah-winfrey-186_attitude_opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-temp_1199665.png) > “Opportunity may knock only once but temptation leans on the door bell” [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Opportunities are rare; temptation is persistent, urging vigilance. **In simple terms:** Opportunities are rare; temptation is constant. Key Takeaway Stay alert to seize chances and resist temptation. Themes opportunity temptation decision making vigilance Mood motivational reflective Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - career decisions - financial investments - personal relationships - habit formation Key Concepts risk assessment self-discipline Questions to Reflect On - What opportunities have you missed? - How do you recognize temptation? A Different Perspective Temptation can be motivating if directed well. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Bells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bells/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Temptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temptation/) ## Related quotes > [Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-temptation-leans-on-the-doorbell/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-woods-fisher/opportunity-may-knock-once-but-temptation-bangs-on-your-front-door/) [Suzanne Woods Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-woods-fisher/) > [Temptation leans on the doorbell, but opportunity knocks only once](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/temptation-leans-on-the-doorbell-but-opportunity-knocks-only-once/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you never heard opportunity knock, maybe you're never at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-vos-savant/if-you-never-heard-opportunity-knock-maybe-you-re-never-at-home/) [Marilyn vos Savant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-vos-savant/) > [Opportunity may knock only once but it passes by your door every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-k-sonnenberg/opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-it-passes-by-your-door-every-day/) [Frank K. Sonnenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-k-sonnenberg/) > [What is opportunity, and when does it knock? It never knocks. You can wait a whole lifetime, listening, hoping, and you will hear no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/what-is-opportunity-and-when-does-it-knock-it-never-knocks-you-can/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [You don't want to be ball chasing or really forcing the issue because that looks bad. You've got to just take what they give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-j-mayo/you-don-t-want-to-be-ball-chasing-or-really-forcing-the-issue-because/) [O. J. Mayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/o-j-mayo/) > [Sometimes, you need a door slammed in your face before you can hear opportunity knock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-geary/sometimes-you-need-a-door-slammed-in-your-face-before-you-can-hear/) [James Geary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-geary/) > [Learn to Listen,sometime opportunity Knock's softly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/learn-to-listen-sometime-opportunity-knock-s-softly/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The world is filled with unfortunate souls who didn't hear opportunity knock at the door, because they were down at the convenience stor buying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-world-is-filled-with-unfortunate-souls-who-didn-t-hear/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [“don't wait for opportunity to knock be the knocker”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-julian/don-t-wait-for-opportunity-to-knock-be-the-knocker/) [Rick Julian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-julian/) > [Do not suppose opportunity will knock twice at your door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/do-not-suppose-opportunity-will-knock-twice-at-your-door/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [Opportunity may knock, but it seldom nags.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mamet/opportunity-may-knock-but-it-seldom-nags/) [David Mamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mamet/) > [When a founder has cast a bell he does not presently fix it in the steeple, but tries it with his hammer, and beats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cecil/when-a-founder-has-cast-a-bell-he-does-not-presently-fix-it-in-the/) [Richard Cecil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cecil/) > [Bell, book and candle shall not drive me back, When gold and silver becks me to come on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/bell-book-and-candle-shall-not-drive-me-back-when-gold-and-silver/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## More by Oprah Winfrey > [I've seen that many times in rural African villages where people have nothing but a hut and a bowl. The joy in the children's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-ve-seen-that-many-times-in-rural-african-villages-where-people-have/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [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/) > [I was in a conversation and someone said: "You know, we were talking about the whole issue of transgender and how it has become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-was-in-a-conversation-and-someone-said-you-know-we-were-talking/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [“Forgiveness is about letting go of the past and not holding on to it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/forgiveness-is-about-letting-go-of-the-past-and-not-holding-on-to-it/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [The deepest courage we can exercise is continuing to believe in our dreams until we make them come true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/the-deepest-courage-we-can-exercise-is-continuing-to-believe-in-our/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [If you can see it, and believe it, it is a LOT easier to achieve it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/if-you-can-see-it-and-believe-it-it-is-a-lot-easier-to-achieve-it/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It's why you were born. And how you become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/there-is-no-greater-gift-you-can-give-or-receive-than-to-honor-your/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [Gratitude is the single greatest treasure I will take with me from this experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/gratitude-is-the-single-greatest-treasure-i-will-take-with-me-from/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [I am disappointed by this controversy surrounding A Million Little Pieces because I rely on the publishers to define the category that a book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-am-disappointed-by-this-controversy-surrounding-a-million-little/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [Keep a grateful journal. Every night, list five things that you are grateful for. 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You're worthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/we-often-block-our-own-blessings-because-we-don-t-feel-inherently/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [One if the hardest things in life to learn are which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/one-if-the-hardest-things-in-life-to-learn-are-which-bridges-to-cross/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [You must feed your mind with reading material, thoughts, and ideas that open you to new possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/you-must-feed-your-mind-with-reading-material-thoughts-and-ideas-that/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [Your soul tells you when it's time to move on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/your-soul-tells-you-when-it-s-time-to-move-on/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) [Explore all 971 Oprah Winfrey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Opportunity may knock only once but temptation leans on the door bell", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Oprah Winfrey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-temptation-leans-on-the-door-bell/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-temptation-leans-on-the-door-bell/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d10/oprah-winfrey-186_attitude_opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-temp_1199665.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d10/oprah-winfrey-186_attitude_opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-temp_1199665.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d10/oprah-winfrey-186_attitude_opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-temp_1199665.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Opportunity may knock only once but temptation leans on the door bell” — Oprah Winfrey", "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": "Oprah Winfrey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Opportunity may knock only once but...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-temptation-leans-on-the-door-bell/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/opportunity-may-knock-only-once-but-temptation-leans-on-the-door-bell/#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 } } ] } ```