Arnold H. Glasow

Arnold H. Glasow – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Arnold H. Glasow (1905–1998) was an American humorist, author, and businessman whose witty aphorisms and pragmatic insights on leadership, life, and business continue to be widely quoted and appreciated.

Introduction

Arnold H. Glasow is best known not for sweeping novels or academic treatises, but for his sharp, compact witticisms that mingle humor with insight. Over decades, his observations appeared in business contexts, motivational speeches, and collections of quotations. His voice speaks to leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday people who seek wisdom in brevity. In this article, we’ll explore what is known of his life, his style, his legacy—and share many of his memorable quotes.

Early Life and Family

Arnold Henry Glasow was born in 1905, likely on January 6 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Freeport, Illinois.

Details about his immediate family (parents, siblings) are harder to find in public records. It is known, however, that Glasow married Ethel Glasow, who assisted him in his business ventures.

Education, Early Career, and Business

Glasow attended Ripon College (in Wisconsin). Freeport, Illinois during or just after the Great Depression, and in that city he built much of his career.

His business venture was distinctive: he created a humor magazine or newsletter service that he marketed to companies, so that firms could use it as their internal “house organ”—i.e. as material to send to customers or employees. over 60 years.

Interestingly, despite decades of activity, his first book was published relatively late in life. He reportedly published Glasow’s Gloombusters when he was already in his 90s.

Throughout his career, Glasow’s writings and quips found their way into major publications, including Reader’s Digest, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and others.

Style, Approach & Themes

What distinguishes Glasow’s writing is the marriage of humor and practical wisdom. His aphorisms are crisp, often ironic or paradoxical, and geared toward business, leadership, and everyday human behavior.

Some characteristics of his style:

• Brevity and punch: Glasow’s lines are short and memorable, often with a twist.

• Dual audience: His quotes resonate both in business settings and in personal reflection—he addresses leadership, action, relationships, and attitudes.

• Optimism tempered by realism: Many of his quips acknowledge difficulties but imply a path forward.

• Play of language: He frequently uses juxtaposition, paradox, and redefinition to provoke thought.

Because so much of his output is in the form of short quotes or epigrams, these remained easier to preserve and circulate than long-form works.

Legacy and Influence

Arnold H. Glasow’s influence is subtle but enduring. His quotes appear in leadership seminars, corporate culture handbooks, motivational posters, newsletters, and anthologies of quotations.

He helped humanize business communication—by injecting humor, humility, and sometimes self-mockery into the corporate sphere.

Because he ran his humor-publication business for six decades, many business leaders and organizations were exposed to his voice over time.

Even though he never became a household name comparable to major humorists, many of his lines continue to spread—sometimes without attribution—and they reflect a kind of steady, accessible wisdom.

Personality & Strengths

From what we can infer:

• Persistent and industrious: A career spanning 60+ years of producing content suggests dedication and consistency.

• Self-effacing: He did not seek the limelight aggressively; his humor service business was somewhat behind the scenes.

• Observant and psychologically astute: His quips often diagnose human behaviors, leadership pitfalls, and social ironies.

• Generous in spirit: Many who cite him say his wit also encouraged resilience, humor, and perspective.

Famous Quotes of Arnold H. Glasow

Below are a selection of Glasow’s more well-known lines. (Multiple sources)

“A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.”

“Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.”

“Nothing lasts forever — not even your troubles.”

“Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.”

“An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied.”

“All some folks want is their fair share and yours.”

“In life, as in football, you won’t go far unless you know where the goalposts are.”

“One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.”

“The fewer the facts, the stronger the opinion.”

“Success is simple. Do what’s right, the right way, at the right time.”

“A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.”

“The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.”

These lines illustrate the range of his focus—from leadership and action to friendship and humor.

Lessons from Arnold H. Glasow

Here are take-aways that readers or leaders may glean from Glasow’s life and work:

1. Wisdom can come in small packages. You don’t need a long essay to spark a shift—sometimes one line can carry weight.

2. Humor and leadership are not opposed. Glasow shows that wit can coexist with seriousness, and sometimes open doors that solemn speech cannot.

3. Speak to both head and heart. His quotes often appeal to logic (action, responsibility) while also acknowledging human vulnerability (failure, trouble).

4. Persistence pays. Producing content consistently over many decades, even before fame or recognition, can build a legacy.

5. Self-restraint in ego. He didn’t chase celebrity; much of his influence spread organically through reprints and citations.

6. Activeness matters. Many of his lines urge conversion of idea into action, readiness to act before crisis, doing what’s right at right times.

Conclusion

Arnold H. Glasow may not be widely commemorated in standard literary histories, but in the realm of quotations, motivational literature, and business culture, his voice still echoes. That is a testament to the staying power of well-crafted ideas, conveyed with wit and sincerity.

His life encourages us to value consistency, to observe closely, and to let humor and insight cohabit. In a world crowded with words, Glasow reminds us that sometimes the right phrase—said at the right moment—can make all the difference.

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