Matthew Kelly Quotes & Sayings

When we hear our talents calling us forth, we hear the voice of God inviting us to fully participate in the adventure of salvation. — Matthew Kelly

Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. Hope is one of those things that you can't buy, but that will be freely given to you if you ask. Hope is the one thing people cannot live without. Hope is a thing of beauty. — Matthew Kelly

Prayer is like a great love. When you start dating the silence can be awkward, but as you grow to know each other you can sit in silence for hours and just being with each other is a great comfort. — Matthew Kelly

God of hope, I look to you with an open heart and yearning spirit. During this Advent season, I will keep alert and awake, listening for your word and keeping to your precepts. My hope is in you. — Matthew Kelly

This is the will of God: that you be saints. (1 Thessalonians 4:3) — Matthew Kelly

Superficiality is the curse of the modern world. — Matthew Kelly

The purpose of education and extracurricular activities is to provide opportunities for our children to develop discipline. Once discipline is learned, it can be applied to any area of life. Those who develop this discipline go off in search of excellence and live richer, more abundant lives. Those who do not find this grounding in discipline — Matthew Kelly

All men and women flee from the witnesses of their wrongdoings. — Matthew Kelly

The beauty of Catholicism is every human being's right. — Matthew Kelly

Work-life balance was a mistake from the start. Because we don't really want balance. We want satisfaction. — Matthew Kelly

Every journey to something is a journey away from something — Matthew Kelly

Wherever you find excellence, you find continuous learning. They go hand in hand. Wherever you find that continuous learning is missing, you find mediocrity. — Matthew Kelly

We all die, and yet, so often we conduct our lives as if we were going to live forever. If you knew you were going to die one year from today, how would you change your life? — Matthew Kelly

They simply try to be all they can be, here and now, and that brings with it a happiness all its own. — Matthew Kelly

Freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want. Freedom is the strength of character to do what is good, true, noble, and right. — Matthew Kelly

Catholicism is not a lifeless set of rules and regulations. Catholicism is a lifestyle. Catholicism is a way of life designed by God to help you become all you can be. — Matthew Kelly

A mother has a unique perspective. Nobody sees the life of the child the way the child's mother does - not even the father. This is Mary's perspective of Jesus life. It seems to me that every genuine Christian, not just Catholics, should be interested in that perspective - and not just interested, but fascinated. In the rosary we ponder the life of Jesus through the eyes of his mother. This is an incredibly powerful experience if we enter into it fully — Matthew Kelly

The challenge life presents to each of us is to become truly ourselves
not the self we have imagined or fantasized about, not the self that our friends want us to be, not the self our ego would have us be, but the self God has ordained us to be from before we were in our mother's womb. — Matthew Kelly

The people we surround ourselves with either raise or lower our standards. They either help us to become the-best-version-of-ourselves or encourage us to become lesser versions of ourselves. We become like our friends. No man becomes great on his own. No woman becomes great on her own. The people around them help to make them great.
We all need people in our lives who raise our standards, remind us of our essential purpose, and challenge us to become the-best-version-of-ourselves. — Matthew Kelly

In a land where there are no musicians; in a land where there are no storytellers, teachers, and poets; in a land where there are no men and women of vision and leadership; in a land where there are no legends, saints, and champions; in a land where there are no dreamers, the people will most certainly perish. But you and I, we are the music makers; we are the storytellers, teachers, and poets; we are the men and women of vision and leadership; we are the legends, the saints, and the champions; and we are the dreamers of the dreams. Let us sit with God for a few minutes each day and dream with him, and with the vision he places in our hearts, go out into the world with a contagious love that cannot be ignored.
Be bold. Be Catholic. When the Catholic faith is actually lived it is incredible potent. — Matthew Kelly

The problem is that without an understanding for their meaning and purpose, most relationships quickly become little more than vehicles for the pursuit of selfish and individual goals. Disagreements then become a battle between conflicting interests, rather than a search for a mutually satisfying resolution. — Matthew Kelly

It has been my experience that nothing changes a person's life more than the discovery of one solitary truth: There is a meaning and purpose to life. More specifically: There is a meaning and purpose to your life. — Matthew Kelly

The Prayer Process is a seven-step tool designed to help us develop a routine of prayer, and the routine within the routine. — Matthew Kelly

Whatever change you desire for the world, create that change in your own life. You are here for a purpose. Seek it out. Hunt it down. The greatest misery is to be purposeless. The great depression of our age is not economic, but spiritual. Our spiritual poverty is rooted in our purposelessness. — Matthew Kelly

When you stand still, you reject the struggle, and you refuse to change and grow. Ultimately, you reject fulfillment, happiness, the dance for joy and everything else that is eternally good. — Matthew Kelly

We can never get enough of what we don't really need. — Matthew Kelly

Many people falsely believe that if you want to be holy, you are not allowed to enjoy life ... Holiness brings us to life. It refines every human ability. Holiness doesn't dampen our emotions; it elevates them. Those who respond to God's call to holiness are the most joyful people in history. They have a richer, more abundant experience of life, and they love more deeply than most people can every imagine. They enjoy life, all of life. — Matthew Kelly

We become what we celebrate. What are you celebrating? — Matthew Kelly

In the absence of discipline, man must content himself with superficialities and mediocrity. — Matthew Kelly

Truth be told, our modern education systems crush the very spirit they claim to instill. — Matthew Kelly

We are not here to solve the problems; the problems are here to solve us. — Matthew Kelly

We become the books we read — Matthew Kelly

Whether you are sixteen or sixty, the rest of your life is ahead of you. You cannot change one moment of your past, but you can change your whole future. Now is your time. — Matthew Kelly

We don't want to think about our weaknesses. We don't want to talk about them, and we certainly don't want anyone else to point them out. This is a classic sign of mediocrity, and this mediocrity has a firm grip on the Church and humanity at this moment in history. — Matthew Kelly

The notion of freedom proclaimed by the modern world is anti-discipline. But true freedom cannot be separated from discipline. — Matthew Kelly

It constantly amazes me that men and women wander the earth marveling at the highest mountains, the deepest ocean, the whitest sands, the most exotic islands, the most intriguing birds of the air and fish of the sea - and all the time never stop to marvel at themselves and realize their infinite potential as human beings. — Matthew Kelly

Working halfheartedly may reap you the same financial compensation as working with all your heart and soul, but it will slowly begin to rot your heart and mind and soul. — Matthew Kelly

Our lives change when our habits change. — Matthew Kelly

Some books find us at just the right time in our lives and those books change our lives forever. I hope this is that kind of book for you. — Matthew Kelly

Work-life balance, work-life effectiveness, personal and professional satisfaction - or whatever you choose to call it - is not an entitlement or benefit. Your company cannot give it to you. You have to create it for yourself. You are personally responsible for living the best life you can. — Matthew Kelly

The way we see the world determines the way we live our lives — Matthew Kelly

Character is built little by little, over days, weeks, months, and years, with thousands of small and seemingly insignificant acts of discipline. — Matthew Kelly

The reason is that for so many years he has been developing a deep reserve of internal calm, so deep that the external unrest cannot disturb it. Interior calm gives birth to calm action. — Matthew Kelly

Destruction always comes from within. It — Matthew Kelly

Sacraments. I pray to gather density to survive and — Matthew Kelly

More than just a time and a place to pray, Dynamic Catholics have a routine within their routine. When they sit down to pray each day, they don't just see what happens; they have a routine within the routine. They tend to begin their time of prayer in very specific ways: by reading the Bible, praying the morning prayers of the Church, reading from a favorite spiritual book, etc. — Matthew Kelly

Are we willing to change? I hope so. Almost every person I speak to about the future of Catholicism says, "The Church really needs to change," or something to that effect. What we perhaps forget in making this statement is that we are the Church, and so the real question becomes: Are you willing to change? Am I willing to change? — Matthew Kelly

God does not want to control you, or stifle you, or manipulate you, or force you to do anything you don't want to do. Quite the opposite. God will let you do whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it, with whomever you want to do it, and as often as you want to do it. When was the last time God stopped you from doing anything? — Matthew Kelly

On the one hand, we all want to be happy. On the other hand, we all know the things that make us happy. But we don't do those things. Why? Simple. We are too busy. Too busy doing what? Too busy trying to be happy. This is the paradox of happiness that has bewitched our age. — Matthew Kelly

You cannot be healthy and happy without discipline. If you want to measure the level of happiness in your life, just measure the level of discipline in your life. You will never have more happiness than you have discipline. — Matthew Kelly

Catholicism is not merely a religion, or a sect, or a set of rules. When small minds and smaller spirits try to capture the essence of Catholicism, this is often what they tend to conclude. But Catholicism is more than a religion. It is more than just another movement. The essence of Catholicism is not sin, punishment, duty, or obligation, and it is more than a set of lifeless rules and regulations. Catholicism is more. It is more than most people think and more than most Catholics ever experience ... The essence of Catholicism is dynamic transformation. You cannot become more like Jesus Christ and at the same time stay as you are. — Matthew Kelly

we are reminded more than ever that we are not independent. We are interdependent. We rely on one another for the fulfillment of our legitimate needs and the satisfaction of our deepest desire. Life is not simply about the selfish pursuit of the-best-version-of-ourselves. Rather, the more we contribute to helping others become the-best-version-of-themselves, the more progress we make in the attainment — Matthew Kelly

Love is the wanting, and the having, and the choosing, and the becoming. Love is the desire to see the person we love be and become all he or she is capable of being and becoming. Love is a willingness to lay down our own personal plans, desires, and agenda for the good of the relationship. Love is delayed gratification, pleasure, and pain. Love is being able to live and thrive apart, but choosing to be together. — Matthew Kelly

In fact, the more each person can remove his or her ego from the discussion and focus on the subject matter, the more fruitful the conversation will be for all involved. — Matthew Kelly

Discipline is the path to happiness. — Matthew Kelly

THIS YEAR CATHOLIC CHARITIES WILL PROVIDE 2.2 MILLION FREE MEALS TO THE HUNGRY AND THE NEEDY OF CHICAGO. WE DON'T ASK THEM IF THEY ARE CATHOLIC - WE JUST ASK THEM IF THEY ARE HUNGRY. REDISCOVER CATHOLICISM. — Matthew Kelly

The way we consume information leads us to think less and less about more and more. We spend much of our time fixated on secondary questions (usually related to controversial and sensational issues) and very little time exploring the primary questions about our brief stay here on earth. — Matthew Kelly

You have heard it said that the best things in life are not things. So what are the best things in life? What are the best things in your life right now? And what are the best things that are not in your life yet because you don't even know that they should be? A lot of our modern lifestyle is based on having things. Jesus rejected the idea that things should have a primary place in our lives. Other than the clothes on his back and the sandals on his feet, he had nothing. And his teachings constantly affirmed that people were primary and things were secondary. — Matthew Kelly

A priest once asked Mother Teresa if she would pray that God would give him clarity in a choice he had to make. She told him, God may never give you clarity. All you can do is trust. — Matthew Kelly

You will learn more from your friends than you ever will from books. Choose your friends wisely — Matthew Kelly

The hardest war to win is one you don't even realize you are fighting, and the hardest enemy to defeat is the one you don't even know exists. Every day you are at war with resistance. — Matthew Kelly

Never believe a promise from a man or woman who has no discipline. They have broken a thousand promises to themselves, and they break their promise for you. — Matthew Kelly

If you don't have time to pray and read the scriptures, you are busier than God ever intended you to be. — Matthew Kelly

Your character is your destiny. Building character is a task for the brave and dedicated. There are no shortcuts when it comes to building character. If you wish to cure minimalism in your own life, to develop a complete commitment to excellence and an absolute rejection of mediocrity, the question you need to start asking yourself is, "What is the most I can do?" — Matthew Kelly

If you give your body a choice, it will always take the easy way out. Your body lies. It tells you it cannot when it can. — Matthew Kelly

Let your life be guided by greatness — Matthew Kelly

Freedom is not simply the circumstances that allow you to do whatever you want. Freedom is not only the opportunity to choose. Freedom is the strength of character to choose and to do what is right. With that in mind, our age is not an age of freedom, but an age of slavery. It is subtle, but it is real. The foundation of freedom is not power or choice. Freedom is upheld not by men and women in government, but by people who govern themselves. — Matthew Kelly

Life is about love. It's about whom you love and whom you hurt. Life's about how you love yourself and how you hurt yourself. Life's about how you love and hurt the people close to you. Life is about how you love and hurt the people who just cross your path for a moment. Life is about love. — Matthew Kelly

The measure of your life will be the measure of your courage. — Matthew Kelly

The abuse of a good does not diminish the good of a good — Matthew Kelly

When you voice your disagreement, begin by talking about what you have in common with the person you are arguing with. Too often we rush to judgment, race to argue, and overlook all the common ground we share. — Matthew Kelly

God of deep waters and infinite riches, challenge me to go where I fear, to do what is difficult and what I thought could never be done. Push me to go to the deep waters of life and cast my net wide, for I put all my hope, trust and faith in you. — Matthew Kelly

Love is a choice, love is an act of will, you can choose to love. — Matthew Kelly

we became the books we read. — Matthew Kelly

More people have access to education today than ever before. But I cannot help but feel that the modern educational experience is not preparing us adequately to attend the rich banquet of life. Certainly the young people of today have mastered the use of technology and are capable of solving complex scientific and mathematical problems, but who and what do these serve if they cannot think for themselves? If they have no understanding of the meaning and purpose of their own lives? If they do not know who they are as individuals? — Matthew Kelly

If I spend my life preoccupied with me and my own happiness, I will live life missing the deepest joy that God has for me. When — Matthew Kelly

Never pass up an opportunity to speak a kind word of appreciation. There are six billion people on the planet, and 5.9 billion of them go to bed every night starving for one honest word of appreciation. — Matthew Kelly

Satisfaction comes from emptying ourselves into things. — Matthew Kelly

The world is full of men and women who work too much, sleep too little, hardly ever exercise, eat poorly, and are always struggling or failing to find adequate time with their families. We are in a perpetual hurry-constantly rushing from one activity to another, with little understanding of where all this activity is leading us ... The world has gone and got itself in an awful rush, to whose benefit I do not know. We are too busy for our own good. We need to slow down. Our lifestyles are destroying us. The worst part is, we are rushing east in search of a sunset. — Matthew Kelly

You have been told what is good and what Yahweh wants of you. Only this, that you live justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8) — Matthew Kelly

It is perhaps the result of a culture that prefers us to be passive. The passive me says: "Feed me"; "Entertain me"; "Hold me"; "Love me"; "Listen to me"; "Tell me I matter"; "Make me a priority"; "Don't make me think too much or work too hard"; and so — Matthew Kelly

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg - or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. There — Matthew Kelly

I don't see myself as I really am. The reason is because I have blind spots. My past is full of experiences that are influencing my present and my future. These past experiences have given birth to fear and insecurity, which create huge blind spots. The past has also given birth to a thousand hopes, dreams, and ambitions that I carry deep within me, and these also prevent me from seeing myself as I really am. At times I can be cynical because of something or someone I encountered in the past, and this cynicism is a blind spot. I can also be paranoid at times - another blind spot. And guess what - I like being liked, and nothing will blind us like our desire to be liked, accepted, loved. All of these blind spots make it hard for me to see situations and people (especially myself) as they really are. — Matthew Kelly

It takes more energy to maintain mediocrity than it takes to pursue excellence. — Matthew Kelly

Only in the classroom of silence can we gain the calm and clarity that allow us to know when to wait patiently and when to push forward impatiently, when to plan diligently and when to live spontaneously. It is in the quiet of our own hearts that we learn how to calmly manage the present and passionately create the future. It is this calmness and clarity that will allow us to realize what we are called to and what matters most. Finding our place in the world and beginning to fulfill our mission is then nothing more than a matter of time. A man or woman who takes time in quiet reflection sincerely seeking to find his or her place in the world will not be ignored. First will come the inner calm, then will come the desire to serve, and then will come a wonderful clarity of purpose. Guided by that calm and clarity, we begin to affect what we can affect, and only then do we truly begin to have an effect. — Matthew Kelly

Striving humbly but heroically to live by what is good, true, and noble in the midst of - and in spite of - the modern climate. — Matthew Kelly

When holiness emerges in any place and time, all men and women of good will are inspired. — Matthew Kelly

If you want twenty minutes of quality time with someone you love, schedule three or four hours with him or her one afternoon, and chances are, somewhere in the middle of that three or four hours you will have your twenty minutes of quality time. When — Matthew Kelly

Anything and anyone that does not help you to become the best version of yourself is too small for you. — Matthew Kelly

Your weaknesses are the key to the unimaginable bigger future that God has envisioned for you. Your strengths are probably already bearing all the fruit they can. They will continue to bear those good fruits in your life, but at some point they will begin to plateau. Your richer, more abundant future is intimately linked to your weaknesses. — Matthew Kelly

It would be lovely if we could gather up all the evil people and put them together on one island, leaving them to self-destruct in their collective sinfulness. — Matthew Kelly

A great purposelessness has descended upon modern civilizations. People at large have lost any sense of the meaning and purpose of life; and without an understanding of our own purpose, there can be no true commitment. Whether that commitment is to marriage, family, study, work, God, relationships, or the simple resolutions of our lives, it will be almost impossible to fulfill without a clear and practical understanding of our purpose. Commitment and purpose go hand in hand. — Matthew Kelly

To be truly intimate with another person, is to share every aspect of yourself with that person. — Matthew Kelly

Our lives is almost always a result of those things we habitually think and those things we habitually do. Life is the fruit of discipline, or lack of it. We are our habits. For example, you cannot separate Tiger — Matthew Kelly

If we will walk humbly with our God, He will lead us by the hand to exactly who and what we need, to those people, things, and experiences He has designed and intended for us, and this alone will be the cause of our deep fulfillment and happiness. — Matthew Kelly

If you don't break from the tensions of daily living, they will break you. — Matthew Kelly

Our culture places a very high premium on self-expression, but is relatively disinterested in producing "selves" that are worth expressing. — Matthew Kelly

When our children know more about teen pop idols than they do about Jesus Christ, isn't it time for us to reassess the place and priority our faith has in our lives? — Matthew Kelly

Dedicate yourself above all else to becoming the-best-version-of-yourself. It is the best thing you can do for your spouse, your children, your friends, your colleagues, your employees, your employer, your church, your nation, the human family, and yourself. — Matthew Kelly

Thought determines action. Do not let your whole life be a reaction to the things that happen around you each day. Let your life be an action. — Matthew Kelly