“The opportunity passes if the ready alternative is not available.”

“18th century scientists, the French in particular, seldom did things simply if an absurdly demanding alternative was available.”

Bill Bryson (1951) American author

“The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.”

Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881) British Conservative politician, writer, aristocrat and Prime Minister

“It is not often that a man can make opportunities for himself. But he can put himself in such shape that when or if the opportunities come he is ready.”

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American politician, 26th president of the United States

“Opportunity does not come always and no forecast it brings to be careful. One should always be careful to avail it.”

ratikanta1968

“Never give up because, if an opportunity arises, you have to be ready to take it.”

John Flanagan (1873–1938) Irish-American hammer thrower

“Women's greater social desirability and beauty power afford opportunities for creating both measurable and invisible income. While the opportunities are available to almost all women and some men, they are available in abundance to the genetic celebrity … a woman so beautiful that men do more than look and talk--they follow her.”

Warren Farrell (1943) author, spokesperson, expert witness, political candidate

“Every child and adult should have the skills and the tools to respond to the challenges of the world today and make the most of the opportunities that are available.”

Irina Bokova (1952) Bulgarian diplomat

“The possibility to create the context in which people’s lives really matter is undoubtedly the most profound opportunity available to anyone, ever.”

Werner Erhard (1935) Critical Thinker and Author

“Turning, for them who pass, the common dust
Of servile opportunity to gold.”

William Wordsworth (1770–1850) English Romantic poet