“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” – William Arthur Ward
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Who is William Arthur Ward?
William Arthur Ward (December 17, 1921–March 30, 1994) was an often quoted writer of inspirational maxims.
More than 100 articles, poems and meditations written by Ward were published in such magazines as Reader’s Digest, The Phi Delta Kappan, Science of Mind, and various Christian publications. His column “Pertinent Proverbs” was published by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and also in American service club publications. He was a frequently quoted writer in Quote, an international weekly digest for public speakers.
A graduate of McMurry College, he received his master’s degree at Oklahoma State University but did not complete his doctoral work at the University of Texas and at North Texas State University. In 1962 he was awarded an honorary Oklahoma City University degree in recognition of his “professional achievement, literary contributions and service to others.”
Ward was an assistant to the president of Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth beginning in 1955. In addition to his professional responsibilities, he was for two years the director of Methodist men for the Methodist Central Texas Conference, and for four years he taught the 140-member Sigler Bible Class at Polytechnic Methodist Church, where he also served as Sunday School superintendent and a church lay leader.
He was a professional member of the American College Public Relations Association, the International Platform Association, the Religious Public Relations Council and Phi Delta Kappa. In Fort Worth he was on the board of directors of numerous organizations, including Rotary, American Red Cross and Boy Scouts of America.
His biography appears in Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who in Public Relations, and Who’s Who in the South and Southwest.
Nice quote! Thanks for sharing.