Sir Richard Branson, entrepreneur"My mother, Eve, always taught me never to look back in regret but to move on to the next thing. A setback is never a bad experience, just another one of life’s lessons."
Cliff Richard, singer"When I was getting serious about singing, my father told me that if I didn’t make it there was still a life to be lived. Then, when I recorded Move It, he asked me: “Do you really want this? If you do then give it your all and give it all the time.” "
Gordon Ramsay, chef"Put your head down and work hard. Never wait for things to happen, make them happen for yourself through hard graft and not giving up."
Michael Vaughan, former England cricket captain"Darren Lehmann, a team-mate of mine at Yorkshire, told me to make sure I ended my career with no regrets. He meant “don’t die wondering”. I took that attitude into Strictly Come Dancing."
Ghandi
Cervantes in Don Quixote
Mary Keen, garden designer"My tutor at Oxford told me to: “Sleep for 8 hours, work for 8 hours, play for 8 hours.” I didn’t, and my work-life balance would be better if I had."
Peter Barron, head of external relations for Google"All the best advice I received was from my father, and I even took some of it. My favourite is: “The man who never made a mistake never made anything.” "
Christine Hamilton, public speaker"My father used to say: “There are no stumbling blocks in life – just stepping stones in disguise.” "
Richard Dunwoody, former Champion jockey"One of my trainers once told me: “When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.” "
Matt Pritchett, Telegraph cartoonist"Advice from my grandmother: “Never grow old.” "
Lionel Shriver, author"Sage advice from my old friend Ruth Dudley Edwards is “Get on with it”, a sound approach to everything. If you have the leisure to think about it, you have time to do it."
Esther Rantzen, journalist and founder of ChildLine"I like this 2,000 year old advice by Rabbi Hillel: “If I am not for me, who will be? If I am only for me, what am I? If not now, when?” I think it means: “Sort yourself out, protect yourself and ensure your own survival – if you don’t, you can achieve nothing. However, selfishness is empty, so ensure that you make a positive difference to others, and do it now.” "
Jilly Cooper, author"My darling grandmother told me: “Whenever you meet anybody, look for something nice to say about them, because even if they’ve got a hideous face they might have fantastic ankles or lovely hair, and compliments do cheer people up enormously.” She did cheer people up and I always wanted to emulate her."
Brian Moore, former England rugby player and Telegraph columnist"An admonishment from Mr Hoyle, my English teacher: “Moore, there are two sorts of people in life, those that do and those that sit on the sidelines and snigger. Do I have to tell you which one is more worthy?” "
Matthew Williamson, designer"My co-founder and CEO, Joseph Velosa, said to me years ago: “If you don’t have passion, then you have nothing. If you don’t believe in what you are doing, why would anyone else?” "
Dominic Dromgoole, artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe"My mother once said to me before an interview: “Be confident and not arrogant, and don’t be arrogant and unconfident”, which just about hit the nail on the head with me. "
Tim Rice, lyricist and author"My mum, circa 1955, told me: “Make new friends but stick to old, one is silver, the other gold”."
Rachel Khoo, cookery presenter and writer"My mother still tells me to “sleep on it” if I have any dilemmas. A night’s sleep puts things in perspective."
Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65 BC – 8 BC)
Chris Larkin, actor " “Always strive to be a better man.” Kiplingesque words given to me by my stepfather, Bev."
Brian Blessed, actor and explorer“The greatest danger in life is to not take the adventure,” from Harry Dobson, one of my teachers.