Who says fictional characters can’t share inspiring words of advice? Sometimes, your favorite TV shows and characters can be great sources of memorable quotes and inspirational life lesssons. Case in point: Don Draper, the suave advertising man from popular television show Mad Men, set in the bustling Manhattan of the 1960?s. Portrayed by talented actor Jon Hamm, Draper and his musings on business, marketing and life in general have proved timeless and resonate as loudly today in the real world as they did in…your television set. We’ve collected 20 of our favorite inspirational life and sales quotes from Don Draper below. Why can’t television be as educational as it is entertaining?

1. “People tell you who they are, but we ignore it because we want them to be who we want them to be.” – (Click to Tweet)

2. “Success comes from standing out, not fitting in.” – (Click to Tweet)

3. “You want some respect? Go out there and get it for yourself.” – (Click to Tweet)

4. “You are the product. You feeling something. That’s what sells. Not them. Not sex. They can’t do what we do and they hate us for it.” – (Click to Tweet)

5. “Nostalgia – it’s delicate, but potent.” – (Click to Tweet)

6. “Well, technology is a glittering lure. But there’s the rare occasion when the public can be engaged on a level beyond flash, if they have a sentimental bond with the product.” – (Click to Tweet)

7. “Change is neither bad nor good, it simply is.” – (Click to Tweet)

8. “If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation.” – (Click to Tweet)

9. “When a man walks into a room, he brings his whole life with him. He has a million reasons for being anywhere. Just ask him.” – (Click to Tweet)

10. “People want to be told what to do so badly that they’ll listen to anyone.” – (Click to Tweet)

11. “The day you sign a client is the day you start losing one.” – (Click to Tweet)

12. “Advertising is based on one thing: happiness. And do you know what happiness is? Happiness is the smell of a new car. It’s freedom from fear. It’s a billboard on the side of a road that screams with reassurance that whatever you’re doing is OK. You are OK.” – (Click to Tweet)

13. “We all try. We don’t always make it.” – (Click to Tweet)

14. “There will be fat years and there will be lean years, but it is going to rain.” – (Click to Tweet)

15. “Even though success is a reality, its effects are temporary.” – (Click to Tweet)

16. “I hate to break it to you, but there is no big lie, there is no system, the universe is indifferent.” – (Click to Tweet)

17. “You’ll tell them the next thing will be better because it always is.” – (Click to Tweet)

18. “Stop talking and make something of yourself.” – (Click to Tweet)

19. “You’re happy with 50%? You’re on top and you don’t have enough. You’re happy because you’re successful. For now. But what is happiness? It’s a moment before you need more happiness. I won’t settle for 50% of anything. I want 100%.” – (Click to Tweet)

20. “We’re going to sit at our desks and keep typing while the walls fall down around us because we’re creative – the least important, most important thing there is.” – (Click to Tweet)