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5 of Tom Clancy's Most Inspiring Quotes Bestselling author Tom Clancy, who died Wednesday at age 66, gave great advice to businesspeople of all stripes.

By Ray Hennessey Edited by Dan Bova

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Bestselling author Tom Clancy died Wednesday at age 66.

Known for his espionage thrillers, Clancy was a noted workaholic, always writing, always thinking, and always creating – things easily related to by entrepreneurs in America.

He also gave great advice to businesspeople of all stripes. Below is a sample of Clancy inspiration, from interviews and his books:


''Of course, fortune does favor the brave. In battle you forgive a man anything except an unwillingness to take risks. Sometimes you have to put it on the line." – The New York Times Magazine, 1988

Of course, fortune does favor the brave. In battle you forgive a man anything except an unwillingness to take risks. Sometimes you have to put it on the line.


"Nothing is as real as a dream. The world can change around you, but your dream will not. Responsibilities need not erase it. Duties need not obscure it. Because the dream is within you, no one can take it away." – Commencement address, Loyola College, 1986

Nothing is as real as a dream. The world can change around you, but your dream will not. Responsibilities need not erase it. Duties need not obscure it. Because the dream is within you, no one can take it away.


"Man is a creature of hope and invention, both of which belie the idea that things cannot be changed." – Debt of Honor, 1994

Man is a creature of hope and invention, both of which belie the idea that things cannot be changed.


"No matter what you or anyone else does, there will be someone who says that there's something bad about it. Whenever somebody comes up with a good idea, there's somebody else who has never had a good idea in his life who stands up and says, 'Oh, you can't do that...'" – Interview with Inc., 1995


"Victory comes only to those prepared to make it, and take it." – Patriot Games, 1988

Victory comes only to those prepared to make it, and take it.

Related: Ronald Coase, Lighthouses and Elon Musk

Ray Hennessey

Former Editorial Director at Entrepreneur Media

Ray Hennessey is the former editorial director of Entrepreneur.

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