You know, I’ve seen this Brian Tracy quote play out so many times. “Most people start off wanting to be rich, but they end up merely wishing they were rich.” It perfectly captures that gap between ambition and action. It’s the difference between a plan and a daydream.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote is about the fundamental shift from active pursuit to passive desire. It’s about the slow erosion of intent into a fantasy.
Explanation
Let me break it down for you. “Wanting” is active. It’s a goal you’re actively working towards—you’re learning, you’re building, you’re taking calculated risks. You’re in the game. But “wishing”? Wishing is passive. It’s looking at a lottery ticket or scrolling through Zillow looking at mansions you can’t afford. It’s hoping for an external force to change your circumstances without you having to fundamentally change yourself or your habits. And that shift, from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat, is where most people’s financial dreams go to die. They trade the hard work of *becoming* for the easy comfort of *imagining*.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Wealth (107) |
| Topics | action (112), ambition (7), money (27) |
| Literary Style | direct (414), reflective (255) |
| Emotion / Mood | provocative (175), realistic (354) |
| Overall Quote Score | 74 (80) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is correctly attributed to Brian Tracy, the legendary self-development author and speaker. It comes straight from his 2001 book, “The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires,” which was published in the United States. You won’t find any credible evidence that this was said by anyone else first.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brian Tracy (375) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires (41) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1615) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Brian Tracy, a prolific author gained global reputation because of his best seller book list such as Eat That Frog!, Goals!, and The Psychology of Selling, and created influential audio programs like The Psychology of Achievement. He is sought after guru for personal development and business performance. Brian Tracy International, coaches millions of professionals and corporates on sales, goal setting, leadership, and productivity.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Most people start off wanting to be rich, but they end up merely wishing they were rich |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2001; ISBN: 978-1-57675-198-5; Latest Edition: Revised 2019; Number of Pages: 96 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 20: Do Something Every Day, Approximate page 83 of 2019 edition |