Walt Disney

Disney entertainment empire

Modern influential 102 sayings

Sayings by Walt Disney

I resent the limitations of my own imagination.

Unknown, likely mid-to-late career — Reflecting on his creative drive and dissatisfaction with his own boundaries.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.

Unknown, likely after significant challenges — Reflecting on personal and business setbacks.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I suppose my formula might be: dream, diversify and never miss an angle.

Unknown — Describing his business and creative strategy.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I like the impossible because there's less competition.

Unknown — Explaining his approach to ambitious projects and business ventures.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Money doesn't excite me, my ideas excite me.

Unknown — Discussing his motivations beyond financial gain.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Mickey Mouse popped out of my mind onto a drawing pad 20 years ago on a train ride from Manhattan to Hollywood at a time when business fortunes of my brother Roy and myself were at lowest ebb and disaster seemed right around the corner.

Approx. 1948 (20 years after Mickey's creation in 1928) — Recounting the creation of Mickey Mouse during a period of financial difficulty.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing: that it was all started by a mouse.

Unknown, likely later in his career — Reflecting on the humble beginnings of the Disney empire.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

That's the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up. They forget.

Unknown — A wistful observation on adulthood and the loss of childlike wonder.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Adults are only kids grown up.

Unknown — A simple yet profound statement about the nature of adulthood.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Everyone needs deadlines. Even the beavers. They loaf around all summer, but when they are faced with the winter deadline, they work like fury. If we didn't have deadlines, we'd stagnate.

Unknown — Using an unusual analogy to explain the importance of deadlines in work and life.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman I have ever known.

Unknown — A highly personal and perhaps controversial statement about his affection for his most famous creati…
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Why worry? If you've done the very best you can, worrying won't make it any better.

Unknown — A pragmatic approach to anxiety and effort.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I prefer to amuse people in the hope that they will learn, than to teach them in the hope that they will have fun.

Unknown — Explaining his philosophy on entertainment and education.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I can teach anything to anyone, except to smile.

Unknown — An observation on the genuineness of human emotion.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have no use for people who throw their weight around as celebrities, or for those who fawn over you just because you are famous.

Unknown — Expressing his disdain for celebrity culture and sycophancy.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.

Unknown — Advice on self-acceptance and individuality.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

A man should never neglect his family for business.

Unknown — A statement on work-life balance, possibly reflecting personal experience or regret.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

It is good to have a failure while you're young because it teaches you so much. For one thing it makes you aware that such a thing can happen to anybody, and once you've lived through the worst, you're never quite as vulnerable afterward.

Unknown — Reflecting on the unexpected benefits of early failures.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Fear too often spells failure.

Unknown — A concise statement about the paralyzing effect of fear.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I can never stand still. I must explore and experiment. I am never satisfied with my work. I resent the limitations of my own imagination.

Unknown — Describing his relentless pursuit of innovation and creative dissatisfaction.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable