One small word can tilt a whole life. A quiet yes, a firm no, a moment between them when your heart listens for what is true. These quotations gather voices that wrestle with yes and no, and the choices that shape who we become.

“After the final no there comes a yes, And on that yes the future world depends.” ~ Wallace Stevens

“Between yea and nay, how much difference is there?” ~ Lao Tzu

“The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.” ~ Joseph Campbell

“Yes and no are the oldest and simplest words, but they require the most thought.” ~ Pythagoras

“When you say Yes, say it quickly. But always take a half hour to say No, so you can understand the other fellow’s side.” ~ Francis Spellman

“Yes is a world and in this world of yes live all worlds.” ~ e.e. cummings

“I like sayers of no better than I like sayers of yes.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“I can never give a ‘yes’ or a ‘no.’ I don’t believe everything in life can be settled by a monosyllable.” ~ Betty Smith

“Vote with your life. Vote Yes!” ~ Das Energi

“True or true? Yes or yes?” ~ Mark Victor Hansen

“The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It is very easy to say yes.” ~ Tony Blair

“The saying of the great Yes! is the root of all life prayers.” ~ Elizabeth Roberts, Life Prayers

“Instead of concentrating on why we can’t do a thing, we would be wise to change our ‘Yes, but’ attitude to a more positive one. Saying ‘yes’ means I really do want to change my life for the better.” ~ Liane Cordes

“Somewhere I heard a victorious ‘Yes’ in answer to my question of the existence of ultimate purpose.” ~ Viktor Frankl

“I imagine that yes is the only living thing.” ~ e.e. cummings