Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.

William Arthur Ward (1921–1994) was an American writer best known for short, motivational aphorisms that circulated widely in quotation collections, calendars, and inspirational newsletters in the mid-to-late 20th century. This saying is typically presented as one of Ward’s standalone maxims rather than as a line from a single, clearly identified speech or essay. It reflects the genre in which Ward worked—brief, memorable comparisons meant to encourage initiative and timely action—often reproduced without full bibliographic detail, which has made precise first publication difficult to verify.

The quote uses the sunrise as a metaphor for time-sensitive chances: a sunrise is predictable yet fleeting, and once it has passed, it cannot be reclaimed. Ward’s point is that opportunity often requires readiness and prompt decision-making; hesitation can turn a real possibility into a missed moment. The image also implies optimism—sunrises suggest renewal and promise—while warning against passivity. In practical terms, it encourages cultivating attentiveness, acting before conditions change, and recognizing that delay carries an opportunity cost.