“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” by Paulo Coelho.

LMGTFY: Paulo Coelho de Souza (born 1947), Brazilian novelist, best known for his novel The Alchemist. He wrote it in 1988 and published it through a small Brazilian publishing house that made an initial print run of 900. He subsequently found a bigger publishing house, and with the publication of his next book Brida, The Alchemist took off.

“As long as they are well-intentioned, mistakes are not a matter for shame, but for learning.” by Margaret Heffernan.

LMGTFY: Margaret Heffernan (born 1955), American entrepreneur, writer and keynote speaker. She is the former CEO of five businesses and the writer of books that explore business and leadership. She teaches entrepreneurship, mentors executives and speaks to corporations, associations and universities.

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” by Seneca.

LMGTFY: Seneca the Younger (4 BC – AD 65), Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist. Seneca was Nero’s tutor. When Nero became emperor, he became his advisor. In 65 Seneca was forced to take his own life for alleged complicity in a conspiracy to assassinate Nero. As a writer he is known for his philosophical works, and for his plays, which are all tragedies.

“You will never plough a field if you only turn it over in your mind.” by anonymous.

LMGTFY: Stop thinking and start doing! If there’s one thing Irish are good at, it’s coming up with the perfect proverb for any situation. Many of them still ring true today despite being centuries old. Others seem a little bit more quaint and old fashioned when compared with modern society, and of course some just don’t make much sense regardless of time or context!