Excuses sound best to the person making them up, but life has no room for excuses. These APJ Abdul Kalam quotes remind us that life is short and unpredictable. Even though life goes on, you can’t hold on and assume each day is guaranteed.
Your dream is your promise to live fully. No one else knows your dream or understands your struggles. But the dream you cherish is possible. When you pursue your dream, life gains special meaning, as it did for the late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Recognizing his potential early on, he became one of India’s greatest scientists and presidents.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, widely known as the missile man, is cherished globally. Loved by both children and youth for his playful, generous, and caring nature, his legacy endures through his teachings. Here are some of the best APJ Abdul Kalam quotes to inspire you.
Before we dive into the inspiring quotes of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, let’s take a moment to appreciate some of his remarkable honors and awards. These accolades reflect his profound contributions to science, technology, and national service.
Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Awards and Honors
| Year | Awards / Honors | Country / Institutions |
| 1981 | Padma Bhushan | Government of India |
| 1990 | Padma Vibhushan | Government of India |
| 1997 | Bharat Ratna(The highest civilian honor of India.) | Government of India |
| 1997 | Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration | Indian National Congress |
| 1998 | Veer Savarkar Award | Government of India |
| 2000 | SASTRA Ramanujan Prize | SASTRA University, India |
| 2007 | King Charles II Medal | Royal Society of London |
| 2008 | Hoover Medal | ASME Foundation, USA |
| 2009 | International von Kármán Wings Award | California Institute of Technology (Caltech), USA |
| 2011 | Honorary Member | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, USA |
| 2012 | Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) | Simon Fraser University, Canada |
| 2013 | Von Braun Award | National Space Society, USA |
| 2014 | Doctorate Honoris Causa | Edinburgh University, UK |
APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes: A Set of Valuable Words
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s thoughts always provoke youngsters to understand themselves to be what they want to be. He as a professor, scientist, and President of India, made valuable contributions. In between those, he showcased the willpower of a dedicated and visionary philanthropist who can achieve great heights with humility. His perseverance is admirable for many visionaries.
Here, we list some of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s valuable words:
Inspiration and Motivation Quotes by APJ Abdul Kalam
1. You should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.
Difficulties are part of life. They are there to prepare you, increase you, and develop you.
2. If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.
This small sentence is indeed APJ Abdul Kalam’s big quote. We all know, the only thing that’s stopping you is YOU. Rests are just excuses.
3. All of us do not have equal talent. But, all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.
These words are from the collection of APJ Abdul Kalam quotes that give a reality check about conveying the sad truth that the opportunity doesn’t knock twice.
4. I am not handsome but I can give my hand to someone who needs help… Because beauty is required in the heart, not in the face…
Beauty isn’t dependent on our external appearance. It radiates from within.
5. Winners are not those who never fail but those who never quit.
This is one of the most motivational Abdul Kalam quotes for students. However, quitting, and feeling guilty about it is underestimating the opportunity. You cannot get it the same as the first.
6. “If you fail, never give up because Fail means “First Attempt In Learning”.
This quote is from the collection of APJ Abdul Kalam quotes expressing that no one beats the person who never gives up. There is no failure except in no longer trying.
7. “Never be a prisoner of your past. It was just a lesson, not a life sentence.”
The past is something gone with the wind. The only thing that is left is; a lesson. The future is where you have to apply that lesson in order to live your life peacefully
8. “Thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in your life.”
Being one of the best quotes from the pool of APJ Abdul Kalam quotes, this one says that thinking is progress. Non-thinking is the stagnation of the individual, organization, and country. Thinking leads to action. Knowledge without action is useless and irrelevant.
9. Small aim is a crime; have great aim.
You should always aim high in your life irrespective of the other factors. If you aim high there are high chances that you might end up learning new things and lessons than aiming low in life.
10. We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.
Giving up should not be the choice. As an individual, you must believe in the power of persistence. You should allow yourself to understand the circumstances and provide the strength to fight the problems.
APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes on Dream
11. You have to dream before your dreams can come true.
What did Abdul Kalam say about dreams? Most people raise a family, earn a living, and then die. Never follow them!
12. A dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.
I find this quote of dreams by APJ Abdul Kalam very motivational. Indeed, dreaming is the first step toward achieving a goal.
13. “Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.”
This is one of the most famous quotes from ‘Wings of Fire.’ So, think of rising higher. Let it be your only thought. Even if your object is not attained, the thought itself will have raised you.
14. “All birds find shelter during a rain. But Eagle avoids rain by flying above the Clouds. Problems are common, but attitude makes the difference!!!”
These words are from the collection of APJ Abdul Kalam quotes that inspire you through your challenges and solutions to them. It is your approach that makes the difference.
15. “Suffering is the essence of success!!!”
Success isn’t easily attained; it involves enduring difficulties and learning from them. These experiences build resilience, character, and a deeper appreciation for the achievements earned. Without suffering and overcoming obstacles, success would lack depth and meaning. Therefore, embracing and enduring suffering is a crucial part of the journey to true success.
16. “Learning gives creativity. Creativity leads to thinking. Thinking provides knowledge. Knowledge makes you great.”
This is one of the APJ Abdul Kalam quotes that expresses how accumulating knowledge and understanding elevates you. It empowers you to make informed decisions, contribute meaningfully to society, and achieve greatness in your endeavors.
17. “Be active! Take on responsibility! Work for the things you believe in. If you do not, you are surrendering your fate to others.”
The importance of being proactive, taking responsibility, and actively working towards your beliefs and goals to ensure that you are in control of your own destiny, rather than allowing others to dictate the course of your life.
18. “Failure will never overtake me if my definition to succeed is strong enough”
When you have a clear and robust definition of success, failure becomes just a temporary setback rather than a permanent obstacle. It’s a reminder that success is not defined by the absence of failure but by the strength of your determination to keep moving forward despite failures.
19. “We are all born with a divine fire in us. Our efforts should be to give wings to this fire and fill the world with the glow of its goodness.”
Recognize and nurture the inherent potential within ourselves, and use it as a force for good in the world. It encourages us to embrace our uniqueness, pursue our passions, and make meaningful contributions that leave a positive legacy for future generations.
20. “Once your mind stretches to a new level, it never goes back to its original dimension.”
Once you’ve experienced growth or expanded your understanding, you cannot unlearn or revert to your previous state of mind. Instead, you continue to evolve and adapt, continually striving for new levels of insight, knowledge, and understanding.
APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes for Success
21. I was willing to accept what I couldn’t change.
Being one of the best from the reservoir of APJ Abdul Kalam quotes, this one says that you need to believe that you are the one.
22. Don’t take rest after your first victory because if you fail in second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.
These words are one of the finest quotes, from the collection of APJ Abdul Kalam quotes that guide you through life having a way of pushing your dreams down. Don’t let the first victory bury your biggest dream.
23. Excellence happens not by accident. It is a process.
Do you know what is the mantra of success by APJ Abdul Kalam? Well, to achieve excellence, a holistic roadmap with hard work and risks is required.
24. Two rules for a peaceful life: Depression in failure should never go to heart, and ego in success should never go to the brain.
These words are from the collection of APJ Abdul Kalam quotes saying that depression lies, it tells you you’ve always felt this way. Mind poisons, it makes you what you never wanted to.
25. Luxury and Lies have huge maintenance costs. But Truth and Simplicity are self-maintained without any cost.
The lie is the only luxury man over all other animals. But repeating it, again and again, is like multiplying the same number with zero. Whereas the beauty of Truth is in its simplicity, it multiplies itself.
26. “To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.”
Life throws so many distractions at you; some good and some bad. These distractions either help you stay on track or push you off track. Being single-minded helps you to stay on track and on task.
27. “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.”
One of the best sentences from the group of APJ Abdul Kalam quotes is that failure is never final to a person full of determination. Success may be the only outcome of any endeavor but determination ensures success in the long run.
28. “If you salute your duty, you no need to salute anybody, but if you pollute your duty, you have to salute everybody.”
Dishonesty or insincerity towards your duty may end you up licking shoes. But you have a choice to do what pleases you and gives you enough pride to stand tall.
29. “Empty pocket teaches you a million things in life, but full pocket spoils you in a million ways.”
Straight from the collection of APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes, these words highlight that financial struggles promote resilience, creativity, and life lessons, while excessive wealth can lead to complacency and poor habits. It emphasizes the value of humility and personal growth over materialism.
30. “When our signature changes to autograph, this marks the Success.”
Here, the signature represents Dream and the autograph represents Reality. When you use yourself to your full potential, no matter whether you become a doctor or engineer, your reality is that you are happy and in peace which you always dreamt of.
Best APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes
31. Man needs difficulties in life because they are necessary to enjoy success.
These golden words of APJ Abdul Kalam about success are simply remarkable. Surely, sometimes we look at broken pieces in our lives. The key is what we do in our times of pain.
32. Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.
We must globally warm our hearts change the climate of our souls, and realize that we are not apart from nature. Therefore, this is one of the most heartwarming APJ Abdul Kalam quotes I have come across.
33. “Creativity is seeing the same thing but thinking differently.”
Creativity is related to imagination and imagination is related to innovation. Innovation itself is unique for everyone that conceives a fresh idea and converts the idea into a successful business.
34. Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it.
Ever since humanity has discovered science, human beings have evolved at a rapid speed. This shows how beautiful science is. As responsible human beings, it is our duty to use science in the fulfillment of society.
35. Poetry comes from the highest happiness or the deepest sorrow.
To write poetry is to dig deep inside you, people think it requires talent. But it is more of an individual’s expression of emotions. Hence, this is one of the most touching APJ Abdul Kalam quotes I have come across.
36. “For great men, religion is a way of making friends; small people make religion a fighting tool.”
Being one of the APJ Abdul Kalam quotes, these words guide us through one great reality. The people around you reflect your mindset. Whether it’s your neighbors, friends, or colleagues, having the right set of people around is a very crucial sign of a great man.
37. “Thinking is the capital, Enterprise is the way, Hard Work is the solution.”
Hard work is what brings ideas and plans to fruition. No matter how good the thinking or how innovative the enterprise is, sustained effort, and diligence are required to achieve success. Hard work ensures that the plans are executed effectively and that challenges are overcome.
38. “Confidence and Hard work is the best medicine to kill the disease called failure. It will make you successful person.”
This is one of the finest quotes from the pool of APJ Abdul Kalam quotes. These words underscore the importance of maintaining confidence and dedicating oneself to hard work, even in the face of failure. By embodying these qualities, individuals can overcome obstacles, realize their potential, and ultimately achieve success in their endeavors.
39.“You cannot change your future, but you can change your habits, and surely your habits will change your future.”
By cultivating positive and productive habits, we create a foundation for success and personal growth, which in turn influences and shapes our future in a favorable direction. It underscores the idea that while we may not be able to directly control our future, we can indirectly steer it through our consistent actions and behaviors.
40 “One Best Book is Equal to a Hundred Good Friends, But One Good Friend is Equal to a Library.”
While a great book can provide immense knowledge and companionship, a good friend offers a dynamic, interactive, and deeply enriching relationship that can be as valuable and comprehensive as a library. It highlights the complementary roles that both can play in personal growth and fulfillment.
Famous APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes
41. The best brains of the nation may be found on the last benches of the classroom.
This is APJ Abdul Kalam’s famous quote! Backbenchers are independent learners. They learn every type of activity during the lectures.
42. If we are not free, no one will respect us.
Freedom is misinterpreted at times. The real freedom is to allow yourself to drive deep inside yourself and believe in the freedom inside you. This will give you the confidence to deal with every situation in life.
43. “Sometimes, it’s better to bunk a class and enjoy with friends, because now, when I look back, marks never make me laugh, but memories do.”
Among all the APJ Abdul Kalam quotes, this one encourages emotional celebration to be much more effective in your life journey, so keep enjoying the moment at an early age.
44. “If you want to leave your footprints on the sands of time, do not drag your feet.”
To make a meaningful and lasting difference, one must be proactive, energetic, and committed. It encourages taking decisive and purposeful actions rather than hesitating or delaying. By moving forward with determination and purpose, you can create a positive legacy and make a lasting impact that will be remembered by future generations.
45. “To succeed in life and achieve results, you must understand and master three mighty forces — desire, belief, and expectation.”
Interestingly, this is one of the most suitable quotes from the collection of APJ Abdul Kalam quotes. Desire initiates the pursuit, belief sustains it, and expectation helps to maintain a positive and forward-looking attitude. Together, they create a powerful framework for achieving results and succeeding in life.
46. “Behind the parents stands the school, and behind the teacher the home.”
The collaborative relationship between parents, schools, and teachers in a child’s holistic development. It suggests that successful education requires a partnership where schools support parents’ efforts, and homes reinforce the teachers’ contributions. This collaborative effort ensures that children receive a well-rounded and effective education, benefiting from the combined strengths of both home and school environments.
47. “Don’t read success stories, you will only get a message. Read failure stories, you will get some ideas to get success.”
While success stories can be inspiring, failure stories are more instructive. They offer concrete examples of pitfalls and challenges, along with lessons on how to overcome them. By studying failures, you can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the journey to success and equip yourself with the knowledge to navigate your own path more effectively.
48 “In this world, fear has no place. Only strength respects strength.”
This is one of the best quotes from the group of APJ Abdul Kalam quotes. In a world filled with uncertainties and challenges, it’s essential to cultivate inner strength and courage. Fear should not dictate our actions or hold us back from pursuing our aspirations.
49. “Difficulties in your life do not come to destroy you, but to help you realize your hidden potential and power, let difficulties know that you too are difficult.”
Rather than viewing challenges as insurmountable obstacles, approach them with resilience, determination, and the belief that you possess the strength and potential to overcome them. By confronting difficulties head-on, you not only overcome obstacles but also unlock hidden capabilities and powers within yourself.
50. “It is very easy to defeat someone, But it is very hard to win someone.”
While defeating someone may satisfy short-term goals, winning someone over involves building lasting relationships and earning their trust or loyalty. It underscores the importance of empathy, communication, and mutual respect in fostering meaningful connections with others.
Final Note: A Message for Youth and a Bharat Ratna
We thank you for being an inspiration! You have always encouraged the spirit of the young Indian generation and taught us to be humble, and yet achieve great success. Your presence will be missed. But the spirit to dream, chase, and achieve our dreams shall remain forever with us…
Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam always loved his students and nation. He was fond of teaching young talents, crafting the best scientists out of them, and making our society a better place.
These above-mentioned Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes are just a few set words he delivered throughout his career. We hope those words help you shape your vision to make a better world.
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FAQs
1. What did APJ Abdul Kalam say about students?
APJ Abdul Kalam encouraged students to dream big, believe in themselves, and work hard to achieve their goals, as dreams lead to success.
2. Why is APJ Abdul Kalam very famous?
APJ Abdul Kalam is famous for his contributions to India’s space and missile programs, and for being a humble and inspirational leader who touched millions with his vision for the youth.
3. Why is World Student Day celebrated?
World Student Day is celebrated on APJ Abdul Kalam’s birthday, October 15, to honor his dedication to inspiring and empowering students worldwide.
4. What qualities make Kalam successful?
His discipline, humility, dedication to science and education, and unwavering belief in the potential of the youth made him a successful leader and visionary.
5. What was the famous speech of APJ Abdul Kalam?
One of his most famous speeches is ‘My Vision for India,’ where he shared his dreams for a developed India, focusing on science, education, and youth empowerment.
