Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.
Use itEssay on intergenerational equity; sacrifice present comfort for future generations.
Quotes / Thinkers / A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Thinker · 23 quotes
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam quotes for UPSC
23 sourced quotes by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on work, excellence & success, resilience & perseverance, youth, dreams & ambition, duty & responsibility, science, technology & innovation, with a use case for each in GS4, Essay and interviews.
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To me, the level of responsibility is measured by one's ability to confront the decision-making process without any delay or distraction.
Use itGS4: responsible officers decide promptly; link to decisiveness and avoiding policy paralysis.
Life is a difficult game. You can win it only by retaining your birthright to be a person. And to retain this right, you will have to be willing to take the social or external risks involved in ignoring pressures to do things the way others say they should be done.
Use itGS4 on moral courage; resisting conformity and peer pressure to stay true to oneself.
I have always considered the price of perfection prohibitive and allowed mistakes as a part of the learning process. I prefer a dash of daring and persistence to perfection. I have always supported learning on the part of my team members by paying vigilant attention to each of their attempts, be they successful or unsuccessful.
Use itGS4 leadership case; tolerate mistakes as learning, value persistence over perfection.
All of us do not have equal talent. But, all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.
Use itGS2 on equal opportunity; justify skilling and education schemes for all.
The best brains of a nation may be in the last bench of a classroom.
Use itEssay on inclusive education; argue talent exists in every child, not just toppers.
Creativity is seeing the same thing, but thinking differently.
Use itGS3/Essay on innovation; define creativity as fresh thinking, not new resources.
I wonder why some people tend to see science as something which takes man away from God. As I look at it, the path of science can always wind through the heart. For me, science has always been the path to spiritual enrichment and self-realisation.
Use itEssay on science and spirituality; argue they need not be opposed.
If we are not free, no one will respect us.
Use itEssay on sovereignty and strategic autonomy; freedom underpins national respect.
We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generation a prosperous and safe India, resulting out of economic prosperity coupled with civilizational heritage.
— A. P. J. Abdul KalamIndia. Parliament. House of the People (2003) Lok Sabha Debates. p. 45
Use itEssay on development vs heritage; growth must blend economic prosperity with civilisational values.
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.
— A. P. J. Abdul KalamArvind Gupta, Mukul Chaturvedi, Akshay Joshi (2004) Security and Diplomacy: Essential Documents. p. 144
Use itGS4 on values in family and school; role of parents and teachers in fighting corruption.
No religion has mandated killing others as a requirement for its sustenance or promotion.
— A. P. J. Abdul KalamIn: Philosophy & Social Action (2003)
Use itGS3 internal security on terrorism; no religion sanctions violence against others.
We have not invaded anyone. We have not conquered anyone. We have not grabbed their land, their culture, their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them.
Use itGS1/Essay on Indian civilisation; India's non-aggressive, non-expansionist historical record.
Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident.
Use itEssay on excellence; excellence is built through continuous effort, not luck.
Total commitment is the common denominator among all successful men and women.
Use itInterview/Life: commitment as the common trait of achievers.
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.
Use itLife: guard against complacency after a first success or prelims clearance.
It has been my personal experience that the true flavour, the real fun, the continuous excitement of work lie in the process of doing it rather than in having it over and done with.
Use itLife: enjoy the process of preparation, not only the result.
Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.
Use itLife: difficulties give success its value.
All birds find shelter during a rain, but eagle avoids rain by flying above the clouds. Problems are common, but attitude makes the difference.
Use itLife/Essay on attitude; problems are universal, response decides outcome.
Difficulties in your life do not come to destroy but to help you realize your hidden potential and power. Let difficulties know that you too are difficult.
Use itLife: when difficulties seem crushing; adversity reveals hidden potential.
Small aim is a crime, have a great aim.
Use itEssay intro on aspiration; argue for ambitious national or personal goals.
If you want to shine like a star, first you have to burn like a star.
Use itLife: before an exam or big goal; success demands sustained hard work and sacrifice.
Dream is not that which you see while sleeping; it is something that does not let you sleep.
— A. P. J. Abdul KalamWings of Fire
Use itEssay/Interview on dreams; dreams that drive action, not idle wishes.