August, the eighth month of the year, is often marked with sunshine and warm weather, and also begins the gradual transition from summer to fall in the Northern Hemisphere. Many inspiring artists and powerful leaders were born during August, which was fittingly named in 8 BCE by Caesar Augustus, also known as Octavian, the first Roman emperor.
Augustus chose this month to name after himself in order to honor the empire’s many successful military conquests during that time of year. As grandiose as its namesake, the English adjective “august” can also be used to describe something that’s majestic and dignified.
In many ways, August has become symbolized by figures of strength and leadership. According to astrological beliefs, Leos, which are represented by the zodiac sign of a lion (born from around July 23 to August 22) are believed to have authoritative qualities and charisma embedded in their personalities.
It may come as no surprise, then, that the eighth month of our Gregorian calendar contains the birthdays of some of the most prominent political leaders, athletes, artists, and religious figures of our time. To celebrate all the August birthdays out there, here are 10 thought-provoking quotes from famous people who were born this month, from Madonna to Mother Teresa.
It is better to fail in originality, than to succeed in imitation.Herman Melville (born August 1, 1819)
Wisdom, someone said, is about knowing the difference between the things you can control and the things you can't.Tom Brady (born August 3, 1977)
Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.Barack Obama (born August 4, 1961)
Knowing what you can not do is more important than knowing what you can do. In fact, that's good taste.Lucille Ball (born August 6, 1911)
You need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you.Andy Warhol (born August 6, 1928)
You've got to know who you are before you step into this business, because if you're trying to find it, you'll probably wind up being somebody else, that you probably don't even like.Whitney Houston (born August 9, 1963)
If I won’t be myself, who will?Alfred Hitchcock (born August 13, 1899)
To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. To just give.Madonna (born August 16, 1958)
You should always believe you're going to win. The moment you show up and feel like you're going to lose, you're going to lose.Usain Bolt (born August 21, 1986)
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.Mother Teresa (born August 26, 1910)
Photo credit: skodonnell/ iStock
