Have you ever wondered which quotes inspire successful people? On an ongoing basis I interview successful people to learn from them and share their wisdom with others. And one of the questions that I ask is, "What is your favorite quotation and why?" I have included 10 of the responses. Here are 10 quotes that can lend fresh perspectives to your communications.

Joe Martin's Favorite Quotes and Why

"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." George Santayana

"The reason I study history is so that I can make my own mistakes." A businessman

I like these quotes because I am trying to teach students that there is much knowledge in the world. In addition, in the mid 1980s when I was at the top of my game, I knew exactly what I needed to do. I conducted some research and discovered a 10-year old report that contained a blueprint of what I was planning to implement. Why wasn't this blueprint implemented? Why did it fail? History allows you to evaluate and learn.

Oliver Campbell's Favorite Quote and Why

"For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you might need them tomorrow? And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the over-prudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?" Kahlil Gibran

I like this quote because it indicates that life is an endless progression of change. To be overly careful by repeating actions which may appear to be wise can become very foolish if we do not recognize the nature of the progressions facing us.

Seaton McLean's Favorite Quote and Why

"An investment in knowledge always pay the best interest." Benjamin Franklin

I have had this quote in front of me for the last 20 years and I like it because I believe that if a society invests in knowledge it will have a common base to communicate. We as individuals also have to put the emotional investment into educating ourselves so that we can put things in perspective, read between the lines and understand how certain issues such as racism and poverty impact all of us.

Stephen Abram's Favorite Quote and Why

"Eternity is a mere moment, just long enough for a joke even if it is sardonic." Hermann Hesse.

I like this quote because sometimes your life serves as a warning to others. Often, people are too serious. Sometimes you laugh and other times you should just see the irony in the situation.

Simon Grant's Favorite Quote and Why

"Success is not a place at which one arrives but rather the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey." Alex Noble

If you focus only on the goals, you will make your bosses happy, but you sell yourself short - life, love and work are all a series of journeys. Goals happen, are temporary and then are gone and leave emptiness. Enjoying life is not about enjoying and having passion for the achievement of goals, but about enjoying and having passion for the journey itself.

Anthea Rossouw's Favorite Quotes and Why

"We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny, whatever affects one directly, affect all indirectly." Martin Luther King

"We are made to live together because of the interrelated structure of reality." Martin Luther King

I identify with these quotes because they relate to life's realities. Woe betide those who ignore these powerful messages. If we do not learn from history we will repeat it, my incredible mother always said. What happens in one country, impacts other countries. We are bound by mutual destiny. I can make a difference by becoming involved in the destiny of the world. You work locally but think globally.

Tonya Lee Williams' Favorite Quote and Why

"The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire." Ferdinand Foch

Any quote that talks about infusing spirit with passion is a great quote.

Prudence Brown's Favorite Quote

"Only the best is good enough." Unknown

I like this quotation because you cannot relive your life, and one of the worst things is to regret what you could have done, when it is too late.

Avil Beckford, Chief Invisible Mentor, writer and researcher with over 15 years of experience, is the published author of Tales of People Who Get It and its companion workbook Journey to Getting It. Subscribe to the Invisible Mentor Blog http://theinvisiblementor.com for great interviews of successful people, book reviews, how-tos, articles and tips to mentor yourself and ignite your hidden genius. Explore the Resources page for free white papers and an e-book.