Logo - Feel The Words

Able Quotes

On capability, readiness and what makes action possible.

These quotes touch on being able to act: governments expected to give straight answers, leaders imagined thinking more imaginatively, and allies working to restore the unity needed to act together. For more, see our Being quotes.

The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?

Quotes by David Attenborough

Cameramen are among the most extraordinarily able and competent people I know. They have to have an insight into natural history that gives them a sixth sense of what the creature is going to do, so they can be ready...

Quotes by David Attenborough

I think the millions of people who had been able to renegotiate their mortgages so they are paying lower interest rates are better off.

Quotes by David Axelrod

But if I worried too much about publishers' expectations, I'd probably paralyze myself and not be able to write anything.

Quotes by David Baldacci

Parkour is really a practice of getting to know yourself, what you're able to do, what are your limits. As you train, you start knowing what you can do.

Quotes by David Belle

My mom is just someone who's easy to talk to and hang with. My sister, it's always cool to be able to help her out with things. My brother is fun when we're just joking and messing around. And my...

Quotes by David Archuleta

Especially now, with 'Glee,' it's allowed a lot of kids to love music and performing at a young age. All ages watched 'American Idol,' but I think it was nice to be able to show kids, 'Hey, you can be...

Quotes by David Archuleta

I don't think that TV on the Radio is some dark mysterious band that no one can know about. We write music because it's an immediate form of communication. We're able to put on record what's happening in our times,...

Quotes by Dave Sitek

I felt so loved and taken care of, and that's a huge part of the reason I'm able to do what I do.

Quotes by Daveed Diggs

Robin Williams was a cultural hero of mine, and in the encounters and interactions I was able to share with him, he was always gentle and generous, humane and thoughtful and hilarious.

Quotes by Dave Itzkoff

The biggest thing I tell the boys is control the heartbeat. It's hard to do, but we've gotta be able to control the heartbeat in big moments because it goes really quick. So just stay in that moment and focus...

Quotes by Dave Martinez

Being able to scream at the top of my lungs in front of people is very therapeutic. It is a great gift for me to be able to do that.

Quotes by Dave Matthews

What I couldn't say verbally I was able to express physically through the guitar.

Quotes by Dave Mustaine

You don't have to dislike people you disagree with and it doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to have bipartisan friendships in this place. Life's too short to have it any other way.

Quotes by Dave Obey

Wu-Tang was going through it. They didn't come from great homes or families. They really came from hard beginnings so it just made me reflect on my own situation. If Wu-Tang was able to make it, why can't I?

Quotes by Dave East

I've been able to provide for my family, move out of Harlem and travel the world.

Quotes by Dave East

And that's actually the brunt of what we do is, people going straight from their workplace, straight from home, straight into the classroom and working directly with the students. So then we're able to work with thousands and thousands more...

Quotes by Dave Eggers

You might not be able to operate your own Learjet and have an unlimited expense account, but if you have a reasonable expectation for a print-based product, whether it's a newspaper or a magazine, you can certainly exist.

Quotes by Dave Eggers

In a lot of ways, it was a huge relief, not being a member of a troupe, being able to make your own decisions and kind of live your own life.

Quotes by Dave Foley

If you ask me who the members of the Rolling Stones or Led Zep or the Clash were, I'd be able to tell you every member. But I couldn't name a single member of Arctic Monkeys.

Quotes by Dave Gahan

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of statements about being "able" appear here?
The quotes cover being able to get clear answers from government, a commander being able to guide the military "into thinking more imaginatively," and nations being able to "take actions collectively together."
Is there a quote about government transparency?
Yes: "We should be able to go to our government and get clear answers," a statement calling for openness and accountability.
Does this page touch on international relations?
Yes: "Europe and America must act together in the face of evil. It's high time for Americans and Europeans to restore that unity and be able to take actions collectively together" makes the case for transatlantic cooperation.
Is there anything here about military leadership?
Yes: "A commander in chief with military experience might be able to prod a conservative military into thinking more imaginatively," suggesting that hands-on experience shapes better leadership. For more reflections on personal qualities, see Being.
Is this page more political than personal?
Yes, these particular quotes lean toward government, military, and international themes rather than personal or romantic reflections. If you're looking for warmer, more personal content, try Love, Life, or Good quotes instead.

You might also like our Good quotes and Love quotes for a broader range of reflective lines.