When someone says, 'You can't,' what it really means is that they can't - so why should you get to? Chris Gardner More Quotes by Chris Gardner More Quotes From Chris Gardner Your skills may not be anything out of the ordinary, but you can do miraculous things with what you've got. Maybe it's your parenting skills, or your compassion. It may be your curiosity, your imagination or unique style of fashion. Even if it seems to be no big deal, the lesson here is we all have unique abilities and talents. Chris Gardner you parenting style imagination I also often hear people say that the deck is stacked against them because of racism, sexism, or other oppressive 'isms.' But once you let go of the blame and excuses, you'll see that you can alter your position on your own. Chris Gardner you blame racism people I'm a Levi's guy. Chris Gardner levi guy You want be young and have fun, that's great. But while you're having fun, someone you don't see is studying and preparing. You might end up working for that person. No one wants to hear that! But I try to tell young people: You want to be the one signing the front of the check, not the back. Chris Gardner have-fun great you people I'm known to be aggressively early. Chris Gardner early known I made a decision as a five-year-old boy that my kids will know who their father is. Chris Gardner boy know decision father I went through pain as a child so my children wouldn't have to. Chris Gardner through child pain children