When Steve Jobs stood at the podium for his commencement address to students graduating from Stanford University in 2005, he found it compelling to share one important factor for an amazing career and a great life. At the end of the second of three stories in his speech, he clearly stated that the secret to a fulfilling life is to never lose faith. Don’t settle. Keep searching for what you love!
These phrases have become crucial motivators for generations to come. However, the message that Steve Jobs gave was not new. For centuries, enlightened people have claimed that the secret to growth and development is to keep moving forward. You may stop to rest, but you should never settle in any pursuit until you have reached your final destination.
Looking for some motivation? Here are some of the most inspiring quotes that tell you not to settle!
Influential Don’t Settle Quotes
1.“Don’t settle. Create the life you want.” – Anonymous
2.“What you want exists. Don’t settle till you get it.” – Anonymous
3.“When you settle for crumbs, you will always be starving.” – Anonymous
4.“Don’t settle for anybody. Just so you can have somebody.” – Anonymous
5.“Don’t settle for relationships that won’t let you be yourself.” – Oprah Winfrey
6.“The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for.” – Anonymous
7.“One day you’ll look back and be glad you didn’t settle, but chose God’s best for your life.” – Anonymous
8.“Know who you are. Know what you want. Know what you deserve. And don’t settle for less.” ― Tony Gaskins
9.“If you’ll not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives.” – Vince Lombardi
10.“There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela
11.“Relationships: If you put up with it, you’re going to end up with it. Set the standard you want and don’t settle for less.” ― Steve Maraboli
12.To my fellow women: “Please don’t settle. Not in a job you hate, not in a town where you don’t feel at home, not with friendships that aren’t real and especially, especially not with love.” – Marisa Donnelly
13.“If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.” ― Steve Jobs
14.“Don’t settle for less, know your value and always tell yourself you deserve better.” ― Pertrice St Pierre
15.“Don’t settle for less just because it’s available.” ― Dionne Neo Nkosazana Sithole
16.““There is always someone out there who will put you first. Don’t settle for someone who will put you next.” ― Tony Payne
17.“When you accept the fact that your true identity includes being an overcomer, you will never settle for less than a miracle.” ― Craig Groeschel
18.“The idea of never settling for less, surely doesn’t suggest not acknowledging and celebrating every accomplished step that leads to where you desire to be in the future.” ― Edmond Mbiaka
19.“Don’t settle even if you have to remain alone for a lifetime. You deserve someone who will appreciate you for both your beauty and your bruises.” – A.R.Lucas
20.“Even if you have to walk fast for 30 mins, five days a week, by all means do so. Never make excuses to why you don’t have the time to work out. Your body deserves to enjoy the taste of good health. Never settle for less.” ― Edmond Mbiaka
21.“Never settle for average.” ― Steve Jobs
22.“Never settle for anything less than your best.” ― Brian Trac
23.“Never settle for second when first is available.” ― Lou Holtz
24.“It simply is not true that war never settles anything.” ― Felix Frankfurter
25.“Be awesome. Live life to the fullest. Shoot for the stars and never settle.” ― Jillian Michaels
26.“Never settle for a life you don’t want when God is trying to give you a better life.” – Shannon L. Alder
27.“Once you realize how good you really are, you never settle for playing less than your best.” ― Reggie Jackson
28.“Real women are strong, resilient, independent, loyal, and lovable. One thing about them is they never settle.”
29.“There is a monumental difference between being alive and living. You should never settle for the first.” ― Matt Corby
30.“Never settle for that which is easy and comfortable or the necessity of seeking that which is difficult and uncomfortable.” ― Frederick Lenz
31.“There’s a huge difference between being in love and being in love with the thought of love. Recognize the difference. Never settle.” ― Behdad Sami
32.“If I had my way… there wouldn’t be a single lion or tiger in captivity anywhere in the world. They never take to it. They’re never happy. They never settle down… You can see it in their eyes.” Hugh Lofting
33.“The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little.”- Thomas Merton
34.“Never settle for less than you deserve. Demand the best, accept nothing less.” – Anonymous
35.“Do the math: You never settle for less than the whole if you knew the half.” ― Talib Kwel
36.“Never settle for anything less than what you deserve. It’s not pride, it’s self-respect.” ― Chanakya
37.“Always remember ladies what he won’t do another man will. Never settle for less than you deserve.” – Anonymous
38.“When you refuse to settle for less than the best…the best tends to track you down.” ― Mandy Hale
39.“Ten years from now, make sure you can say that you chose your life, you didn’t settle for it.” ― Mandy Hale
40.“Never settle for less than your dreams, somewhere, sometime, someday, somehow, you’ll find them.” ― Danielle Steel
41.“Every dream is worth following in life. Never settle for the minimum when you can have so much more.” – Taneisha LaGrant
42.“Never settle for less than you desire or deserve because when you accept crumbs people will assume that you are happy with scraps.” ― Stacye Branche
43.“Make sure you don’t start seeing yourself through the eyes of those who don’t value you. Know your worth even if they don’t.” – Thema Davis
44.“Never settle. You are priceless and worth more than you could ever know.” – Zane Fab
45.“Dust settles. And you are infinitely more than that.” – Anonymous
46.“Never settle for anyone who isn’t absolutely, insanely, and foolishly happy to be with you.”
47.“Never settle for being a character in someone else ’s story when you are meant to be the author of your own.” – Anonymous
48.“Please don’t settle for temporary pleasures. You’re worth more than a late-night text and an uncommitted soul.” – Anonymous
49.“I don’t care how long it takes, I won’t settle for less.” – Anonymous
50.“Don’t be so rushed to settle down that you end up settling instead.” – Anonymous
51.“Never go back for less, just because you’re too impatient to wait for the best.” – Anonymous
52.“Please don’t settle for temporary pleasures. You’re worth more than a late night text and an uncommitted soul.” – Anonymous
53.“Be grateful for all you do already have. But never settle for less than you can be.” – Anonymous
54.“Never settle for bits and pieces of love tossed at you. When you could have true love entirely equal to your own.” – Anonymous
55.“Never settle being someone’s other, when you have to potential to be someone’s only.” – Anonymous
56.You are not a back-up plan. You are worth more than someone’s second choice. You can’t force yourself to stop caring for someone, but you can tell yourself that you deserve better. Never settle to be someone’s second best. Raise your standards and choose to be with someone who will treat you with the same respect and consideration you would treat them. You can’t expect to be someone else’s priority if you aren’t your own.” – Anonymous
57.“Never settle for anything less than extraordinary.” – Anonymous
58.“Never settle for anything less than true happiness.” – Anonymous
59.“Don’t rush and never settle. If it’s meant to be, it will be.” – Anonymous
Steve Jobs’s 2005 Stanford Commencement Address
If you’re looking for a supreme level in motivation, here is Steve Jobs giving that astonishing speech at the 2005 Stanford Graduation. The entire 15 minute speech is awe-inspiring as the genius behind Apple and Pixar takes the audience through his life lessons with 3 simple stories. His words “don’t settle” and “stay hungry, stay foolish” have become quotes in themselves to motivate generations in the future.
Summary
Life is not infinite. Therefore, in order to make it fulfilling, you must live it to the fullest in every aspect. Whether it is personal or professional growth, you don’t settle for anything less than the best. These quotes from some of the brightest and most intellectual minds of the century are compiled to provide you the boost that matters.
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Featured Image: “Quote by Steve Jobs” by Global X is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Body Image 1: “@cabecaaa_ go beyond. Don’t settle for less. #day37canada #cabsncanada #partiucanada” by carlaarena is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Body Image 2: “Be inspired and Keep Going” by insbright is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Body Image 3: “Settle Key” by CreditDebitPro is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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