Top 10 Best Inspirational APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes & Images For Instagram, Facebook & Whatsapp Status

John Quincy Adams said, ‘ If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.’ This quote holds true for the exemplary leader Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, famously known as APJ Abdul Kalam. His life was a living example of his four rules for success:

  • Have a great aim
  • Continuously acquire knowledge
  • Work hard
  • Persevere

An aerospace scientist and statesman, he served as the 11th President of India, between 2002 and 2007. After his tenure, he continued his strive to spread knowledge and inspire the youth of India.

The Success Story Of APJ Abdul Kalam

From selling newspapers as a child to support his family, APJ Abdul Kalam went on to become one of the leading scientists in India and, eventually, a leader admired and greatly respected by the world. A multifaceted personality, he was a man with a vision and a message to the youth, committed to building the nation with the aim of seeing a developed India by 2020. An ardent secularist yet a religious man too, his motto in life was to be a good human being. Kalam was known as the People’s President. His death led India and the world to feel orphaned, with only his words remaining to guide us all today. 

We at Top 10s Only have curated the Top 10 Best Inspirational APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes to continue his legacy through his words and vision. Most importantly, these quotes help us in remembering APJ Abdul Kalam for the good and wise human being he was. 

1. “If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun”

Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam - If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun
Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam – If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun

Fiery in his vision and message, APJ Abdul Kalam was a visionary with plenty of prudent advice. This quote is one of the best APJ Abdul Kalam quotes that talks about how hard work, perseverance, and consistency go hand in hand with success. If you want to succeed in your aim, you must be willing to commit yourself repeatedly toward the goal, and at times this process may involve intense dedication and hard work. This may include upgrading yourself knowledge-wise or doing something different that could lead to a better result. APJ lived through this quote in his life by tirelessly working towards his grand vision of a developed nation- in every aspect. In this, he respected the process than just get to get lost in the ‘vision of success.

2. “If you fail, never give up because FAIL means “First Attempt In Learning”

Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam - If you fail, never give up because FAIL means First Attempt In Learning
Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam – If you fail, never give up because FAIL means First Attempt In Learning

The only thing that ever stops you from fulfilling your ideas is self-doubt. With the inspirational quotes by APJ Abdul Kalam, one can banish these fears by repeating them like a positive affirmation. This quote is one of the best sayings of APJ Abdul Kalam. APJ Abdul Kalam insists on never giving up when facing failure. Instead, embrace failure and consider this as the first step towards learning rather than a drawback. Banish self-doubt and fear of failing by approaching the situation from a different learning perspective. 

3. “Don’t read success stories, you will only get a message. Read failure stories, you will get some ideas to get success”

Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam - Don't read success stories, you will only get a message. Read failure stories, you will get some ideas to get success
Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam – Don’t read success stories, you will only get a message. Read failure stories, you will get some ideas to get success

A true humanitarian, APJ Abdul Kalam believed that one can get inspired by others’ lives too. If you are looking for apt APJ Abdul Kalam quotes about success to know the formula for success, then this profound quote fits the bill. The revolutionary leader Kalam insisted on being curious about failure stories as you are bound to learn more about what didn’t work than what did. Success stories can inspire you to take action, while failure stories give ideas to achieve success! Stick this quote on your affirmation wall to remind yourself that success is an aim. To get there, failure is essential too.

4.  “Your best teacher is your last mistake”

Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam - Your best teacher is your last mistake
Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam – Your best teacher is your last mistake

This quote from APJ Abdul Kalam motivates us to stop fearing mistakes and proactively take action. Every mistake is a lesson on how not to approach the process and instead learn from it to rectify it. The more we experiment, the more experience we gather. Experience is an excellent teacher. We must embrace it and learn from any mistakes made during the process. The best way to grow in our lives is to take small actions consistently toward our goals, and if we fail, just learn from it. These great quotes by APJ Abdul Kalam are a lesson in themselves that each of us can imbibe within.

5. “If you want to leave your footprints On the sands of time Do not drag your feet”

Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam - If you want to leave your footprints On the sands of time Do not drag your feet
Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam – If you want to leave your footprints On the sands of time Do not drag your feet

Leaving a legacy requires doing a lot of inner work that eventually reflects on your outside world. If you want to make a difference in the world that is everlasting and inspires future generations, you must commit yourself to doing the work required. It must be consistent, and every cell in you must believe it’s worth it. Actions speak louder than words, and if you want to make a mark in history, motivate yourself daily to get off your seat and do the work! The quote above is part of APJ Abdul Kalam quotes from Wings of Fire, an account of the ‘Missile Man’, the 11th President of India.

6. “Creativity is seeing the same thing but thinking differently”

Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam - Creativity is seeing the same thing but thinking differently
Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam – Creativity is seeing the same thing but thinking differently

According to APJ Abdul Kalam, creativity leads to thinking. Thinking leads to knowledge and knowledge is what makes you great. Being an advocate of science, APJ Abdul Kalam lived the power of experiments, failure, and learning. He aced the concept of progress through experimentation with more knowledge from failures. The quote above is a signatory in remembering APJ Abdul Kalam as he was a stark believer in using the most powerful tools, we are all gifted with- creativity and thought. We could be looking at the same thing every day, feeling challenged and famished, but a small shift in perspective and thought can bring about a world of difference in the same thing. Don’t be afraid to fail. Instead, use the opportunity to think differently and get a new idea!

7. “Ignited minds are the most powerful resource on earth”

Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam - Ignited minds are the most powerful resource on earth
Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam – Ignited minds are the most powerful resource on earth

This quote highlights the importance of having a motivated mind as it results in valuable action. APJ Abdul Kalam believed it is crucial to transform from the thought process of “What can you do for me?” to “What can I do for you”. To get there, we must keep our minds active and positive, reflecting on our actions too. Considered one of the most powerful APJ Abdul Kalam’s success quotes, he has mentioned this in many of his transformational speeches addressing the youth and others that a mind that is ignited and channelled correctly can bring about immense change in science, humanity, prosperity, and world peace.

8. “Dream is not what you see in sleep. Dream is something that doesn’t let you sleep”

Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam - Dream is not what you see in sleep. Dream is something that doesn’t let you sleep
Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam – Dream is not what you see in sleep. Dream is something that doesn’t let you sleep

Wake your inner fire with this APJ Abdul Kalam quotes about dreams that’ll ignite your inner drive to achieve them! A dream or aim does not keep you in your comfort zone, leaving you to daydream about the plan. Instead, dreams motivate you to keep giving your best toward achieving them. The first step is to dream your outcome, next transform them into your thoughts, and eventually, these thoughts produce an outcome. Starting with changing your thoughts and habits to align with your dream can undoubtedly bring you closer to your aim.

9. “ A Fool can become a Genius when he understands he is a Fool. But a Genius can become a Fool when he understands he is a Genius”

Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam - A Fool can become a Genius when he understands he is a Fool. But a Genius can become a Fool when he understands he is a Genius
Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam – A Fool can become a Genius when he understands he is a Fool. But a Genius can become a Fool when he understands he is a Genius

This far-reaching quote is probably one of the best sayings of APJ Abdul Kalam and, might we add, a cheeky one too! The quote is self-descriptive, highlighting the importance of forever remaining a student, even when one is at the peak of success. Always persevere in upgrading one’s existing knowledge, while remaining humble in the knowledge that everything around us is changing- technology, philosophies, people, etc. If the President of the country understood this so profoundly, what’s stopping us from being keen observers and learners to evolve into the best version of ourselves? The beauty of this APJ Abdul Kalam’s famous quotes is that it not only urges us to continue the path of learning and development but to control our inner demons of ego and arrogance that can stop us. Keep check of these all the time and focus on evolving, every day, every time.

10. “To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal”

Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam - To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal
Top 10 Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam – To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal

Your goals dictate your actions. This APJ Abdul Kalam quote reminds us of the great man’s golden words on setting a mission and working toward it tirelessly without distraction. Our peers may have different opinions, and their failure stories may be aimed at demotivating us. But if we believe in our mission, we must have a single-minded devotion toward the goal, aiming to learn at each step leading to success. Don’t forget to use these motivational quotes by APJ Abdul Kalam when you need a boost of energy or feel distracted from your goals.

APJ Abdul Kalam: The People’s President

Whether you use these APJ Abdul Kalam’s famous quotes for motivation or to channel the inner leader in you- they are valuable for children, parents, and peers alike. Do ensure to read the books of APJ Abdul Kalam too to know more about one of the greatest achievers and visionaries his world has seen. Spread these nuggets of wisdom, selecting good quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam from the list above. 

Looking to be inspired by similar leading personalities? Check out our article that lists the top 10 famous and inspirational quotes of Mahatma Gandhi. Also, take a look at the top 10 interesting facts about J. Robert Oppenheimer, another great scientist whose achievements paved the way for groundbreaking advancements in science and shaped the course of history.