Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, popularly known as APJ Abdul Kalam, was an Indian scientist and politician who served as the President of India. He was a man of immense knowledge, humility, and wisdom. In this article, we will explore some of Abdul kalam Quotes and reflect on their meaning and relevance.
Throughout his life, he inspired millions with his words and actions, and his legacy lives on even today. One of the most notable aspects of Abdul Kalam’s legacy is his collection of quotes, which are both profound and practical.
Quotes on Life by APJ Abdul Kalam
1. “Dream, Dream, Dream! Dreams transform into thoughts, and thoughts result in action.”
Meaning: Dreams have the power to shape our thoughts, which in turn motivate us to take action and pursue our aspirations.
2. “Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.”
Meaning: APJ Abdul Kalam explains here that challenges and obstacles are essential for personal growth and achievement. They provide valuable lessons and make success more fulfilling.
3. “You have to dream before your dreams can come true.”
Meaning: The first step towards achieving your dreams is to envision and believe in them. Dreams serve as the foundation for turning aspirations into reality.
4. “Don’t take rest after your first victory because if you fail in the second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.”
Meaning: APJ Abdul Kalam believes that for someone to read success stories and become one of it requires continuous effort and perseverance. Resting on past accomplishments can leave room for criticism and undermine future achievements.
5. “If four things are followed – having a great aim, acquiring knowledge, hard work, and perseverance – then anything can be achieved.”
Meaning: By setting ambitious goals, seeking knowledge, working diligently, and staying resilient, one can overcome any obstacle and accomplish great things.
6. “Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident.”
Meaning: Achieving excellence is not a result of chance or luck but rather a consistent commitment to improvement and the pursuit of high standards.
7. “To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.”
Meaning: Focusing unwaveringly on your objective is crucial for achieving success as per APJ Abdul Kalam. Dedication and concentration are necessary for accomplishing your mission.
8. “You cannot change your future, but you can change your habits, and surely your habits will change your future.”
Meaning: While you may not have control over the future itself, you can shape it by developing positive habits and behaviors that will influence your outcomes.
9. “Confidence and Hard work are the best medicine to kill the disease called failure. It will make you a successful person.”
Meaning: Overcoming failure requires self-assurance and diligent effort. Confidence and hard work act as remedies that can lead to success and personal growth.
10. “Think differently, Dare to Dream, and have the courage to Execute the Dreams.”
Meaning: Embracing innovative thinking, having ambitious dreams, and being bold enough to take action are essential for realizing your aspirations.
11. “It is very easy to defeat someone, but it is very hard to win someone.”
Meaning: APJ Abdul Kalam believes simple to overpower or undermine someone, but it takes considerable effort and skill to earn their respect, trust, or cooperation.
12. “All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.”
Meaning: While natural abilities may vary, everyone has an equal chance to nurture and enhance their talents through dedicated effort and personal growth.
13. “If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.”
Meaning: APJ Abdul quotes that to achieve remarkable success and radiate brilliance, one must be willing to work hard and make sacrifices similar to the intense energy of the sun.
14. “Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.”
Meaning: Educators have a responsibility to foster curiosity, innovation, entrepreneurial skills, and ethical leadership qualities in students, serving as their role models.
15. “One best book is equal to a hundred good friends, but one good friend is equal to a library.”
Meaning: APJ Abdul Kalam says that a great book can contain immense knowledge and insights, but a true friend can provide a wealth of diverse experiences, support, and wisdom.
16. “Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.”
Meaning: The universe is a supportive and abundant place for those who have dreams and are willing to put in the effort. It aligns to help individuals achieve their goals and aspirations.
17. “Success is when your signature changes to autograph.”
Meaning: Success is achieved when you leave a lasting impact and create a unique mark or legacy that distinguishes you from others.
18. “We should not give up, and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.”
Meaning: APJ Abdul Kalam believes it is important to maintain resilience and not let challenges overpower or discourage us. Instead, we should face problems head-on and find ways to overcome them.
19. “Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than in the running after swift but synthetic happiness.”
Meaning: Prioritize meaningful and substantial accomplishments over temporary and superficial sources of happiness. Focus on long-term fulfillment rather than short-lived pleasures.
20. “Life is a difficult game. You can win it only by retaining your birthright to be a person.”
Meaning: Life presents numerous challenges and obstacles. The only way to emerge victorious is by embracing your individuality and staying true to yourself.
Quotes on Values by APJ Abdul Kalam
21. “My view is that at a younger age, your optimism is more, and you have more imagination, etc. You have less bias.”
Meaning: The speaker believes that in youth, people tend to be more optimistic, imaginative, and open-minded, with fewer preconceived notions or prejudices.
22. “Expectations are the root of all heartache.”
Meaning: Having high expectations can often lead to disappointment and emotional distress when those expectations are not met. Managing expectations can help avoid unnecessary heartache.
23. “Science teaches us acceptance of all, and Value teaches us discrimination.”
Meaning: Science encourages inclusivity and acceptance of all perspectives, while values guide us in making judgments and differentiating between right and wrong.
24. “If you fail, never give up because F.A.I.L means ‘First Attempt In Learning.”
Meaning: Failure is not a reason to quit but an opportunity to learn and grow. Each failure provides valuable lessons for future success.
25. “The best brains of the nation may be found on the last benches of the classroom.”
Meaning: Intelligence and talent can be found in unexpected places. Sitting in the back of the classroom does not determine one’s intellectual capabilities.
26. “Thinking is the capital, Enterprise is the way, Hard work is the solution.”
Meaning: Engaging in critical thinking and innovative ideas is the foundation for progress. Taking action through enterprise and putting in diligent effort is the path to finding solutions.
27. “Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcended.”
Meaning: APJ Abdul kalam quotes that ambitious dreams conceived by visionary individuals often surpass expectations and go beyond what was initially imagined.
28. “You have to believe in yourself.”
Meaning: APJ kalam quotes that self-belief and confidence are essential for personal growth and success stories. Trusting in your abilities and potential is crucial to achieving your goals.
29. “For great men, religion is a way of making friends; small people make enemies by their religions.”
Meaning: Truly great individuals use religion as a means to build connections and foster goodwill. In contrast, narrow-minded individuals create divisions and conflicts based on religious differences.
30. “One best book is equal to a hundred good friends, but one good friend is equal to a library.”
Meaning: APJ kalam quotes that single exceptional book can contain a wealth of knowledge and insights comparable to having many good friends. However, the value of a genuine and supportive friend is immeasurable.
31. “The bird is powered by its own life and by its motivation.”
Meaning: APJ kalam says that Birds are driven by their natural instinct and motivation to live and thrive. Similarly, humans can find inner strength and motivation within themselves to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
32. “Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, caliber, and future of an individual.”
Meaning: APJ Abdul kalam believes that the act of teaching is highly honorable as it has the power to mold a person’s character, and abilities, and ultimately determine their future prospects.
33. “We must think and act like a nation of a billion people and not like that of a million people.”
Meaning: To make significant progress and bring about positive change, it is important for a nation to think and act collectively, leveraging the strength of its entire population.
34. “Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.”
Meaning: When you expand your thinking and challenge your limits, your mind becomes capable of new possibilities and perspectives. This growth is permanent and changes your perception of what is possible.
35. “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.”
Meaning:- This quote emphasizes the power of determination in overcoming failure. It suggests that as long as one’s determination to succeed is strong enough, failure will not be able to overpower or discourage them. It highlights the importance of perseverance, resilience, and a strong will to achieve one’s goals. The quote encourages a mindset of unwavering determination and the belief that failure is merely a temporary setback on the path to success stories.
36. “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother, and the teacher.”
Meaning:- This quote by APJ Kalam suggests that the father, mother, and teacher are key societal members who can contribute to creating a corruption-free country and fostering intelligent individuals. Parents, as well as teachers, play crucial roles in shaping the character and values of the younger generation.
37. “All Birds find shelter during a rain. But Eagles avoid rain by flying above the Clouds.”
Meaning: Ordinary individuals seek protection and refuge during challenging times, while extraordinary individuals rise above difficulties by maintaining a higher perspective and soaring beyond obstacles.
38. “Thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in your life.”
Meaning: Developing strong thinking skills and cultivating a thoughtful mindset is invaluable, as it serves as a valuable asset that can guide and empower one through life’s various challenges and fluctuations.
39. “One of the very important characteristics of a student is to question. Let the students ask questions.”
Meaning: Encouraging students to question and inquire fosters critical thinking, curiosity, and active engagement in the learning process, enabling deeper understanding and personal growth.
40. “If we are not free, no one will respect us.”
Meaning: APJ Kalam says that the importance of freedom lies not only in personal autonomy but also in gaining the respect and admiration of others. Without freedom, respect from others becomes unattainable.
41. “Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.”
Meaning: Making sacrifices in the present, whether in time, effort, or resources, is necessary to create a better future for the next generation and ensure their well-being and opportunities.
42. “The dreams which you try hard to achieve will give you success.”
Meaning: The dreams that require dedicated effort and perseverance are the ones that lead to ultimate success stories and fulfilment.
43. “Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. In this world, fear has no place. Only strength respects strength.”
Meaning: India, or any nation, must assert itself on the global stage and command respect through strength, determination, and confidence, as fear holds no significance in earning respect.
44. “Once your mind stretches to a new level, it never goes back to its original dimension.”
Meaning: When one expands their thinking, opens up to new ideas, and embraces personal growth, their perspective, and potential are forever elevated, and they cannot regress to their previous limited mindset.
45. “Never stop fighting until you arrive at the destined place, that is, the unique you.”
Meaning: Persevere and continue striving until you reach the place where you fully embrace your individuality and become the best version of yourself.
46. “The great lesson from the sky is if you want to have a change, spread your wings and fly high in the sky.”
Meaning: Just as birds soar high above the sky to bring about change in their environment, individuals must rise above limitations and take bold actions to create positive change in their lives.
47. “Without your involvement, you can’t succeed; with your involvement, you can’t fail!”
Meaning: Active participation and personal investment are essential for achieving success. By being fully engaged and committed, failure becomes unlikely because of the effort put forth.
48. “It is very important to dream big and then try hard to fulfill those dreams.”
Meaning: Having ambitious dreams is significant, but it is equally crucial to back them up with determined effort and hard work to transform those dreams into reality. Merely dreaming without taking action will not lead to fulfillment.
49. “Don’t read success stories, you will only get a message. Read failure stories, you will get some ideas to get success.”
Meaning: This quote by APJ Kalam highlights the importance of learning from failures and setbacks. It encourages individuals to seek inspiration and innovative ideas from the stories of those who have faced challenges and overcome them. Failure can provide valuable lessons and insights that can lead to success.
50. “Small aim is a crime; have great aim.”
Meaning: This quote encourages individuals to set ambitious goals and aspirations. It emphasizes the importance of aiming high and stretching our limits just like inspiring quotes mentioned by philosophers. By setting significant goals, we can unlock our potential and strive for extraordinary achievements.
51. Don’t read success stories, you will only get messages. Read failure stories, you will get some ideas to get success.
Meaning: Instead of just reading success stories for inspiration, explore failure stories for valuable insights and ideas to achieve success. Success stories may inspire, but failure stories provide valuable insights and ideas for achieving success.
Conclusion
APJ Kalam quotes testify to his wisdom, intelligence, and humanity. His words continue to inspire people from all walks of life, reminding us of the importance of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. He served as the 11th President of India from 2002 – 2007 and he wrote several books, including an autobiography, Wings of Fire (1999). Among his numerous awards were two of the country’s highest honors, the Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the Bharat Ratna (1997).
As we reflect on Abdul Kalam’s quotes, we can learn valuable lessons and apply them to our lives, becoming better individuals and contributing positively to society. Also, read our Quotes about life by Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Paramahansa. His insights on leadership, education, and innovation are particularly relevant in today’s world, where we face complex challenges that require innovative solutions.