Every beginning is hard.
—Unknown
Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
The end is never as satisfying as the journey. To have achieved everything but to have done so without integrity and excitement is to have achieved nothing.
—Unknown
We may be very busy, we may be very efficient, but we will also be truly effective only when we begin with the end in mind.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is far the best ending for one.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
—Chinese Proverb
In every phenomenon the beginning remains always the most notable moment.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
A hard beginning maketh a good ending.
—John Heywood
There is a woman at the beginning of all great things.
—Alphonse de Lamartine (1790–1869) French Poet, Politician, Historian
The beginning is the half of every action.
—Common Proverb
It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Inventor, Architect
Whatever you’re ready for is ready for you.
—Mark Victor Hansen (b.1948) American Public Speaker, Motivational Speaker, Writer
In my end is my beginning.
—T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) American-born British Poet, Dramatist, Literary Critic
Things are always at their best in their beginning.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
A good beginning ensures a good ending.
—Latin Proverb
What the American public wants in the theater is a tragedy with a happy ending.
—William Dean Howells (1837–1920) American Novelist, Critic
Every meeting is the beginning of a good-bye.
—Japanese Proverb
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen events, meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!”
—William Hutchinson Murray (1913–96) Scottish Mountaineer
A tree does not grow from the sky.
—Bosnian Proverb
All beginnings are hard, said the thief, and began by stealing an anvil.
—Dutch Proverb
There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
What the carburetor, sparkplug and self-starter are to an automobile, initiative, private enterprise and executive ability are to industry as a whole, including the wage earner, wage payer, wage spender and wage saver, i.e., the investor. If the sparkplug and self-starter get out of commission, the car will come to a standstill.
—William J. H. Boetcker (1873–1962) American Presbyterian Minister
The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning.
—Ivy Baker Priest (1905–75) American Politician
The beginnings of all things are small.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Bad beginnings lead to bad results.
—Latin Proverb
All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it.
—George Orwell (1903–50) English Novelist, Journalist
In my beginning is my end.
—T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) American-born British Poet, Dramatist, Literary Critic
Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scenery.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
Everything must have a beginning.
—French Proverb
Remember tonight.. for it is the beginning of always.
—Unknown
One may understand the cosmos, but never the ego; the self is more distant than any star.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
He has not done who is beginning.
—French Proverb
It’s not over until it’s over.
—Yogi Berra (1925–2015) American Sportsperson
Whatever you do or dream you can do – begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
The first blow is half the battle.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
From small beginning come great things.
—Dutch Proverb
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Courage has genius, power, and magic in it. Only engage, and then the mind grows heated. Begin it and the work is completed.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
The beginning of health is sleep.
—Irish Proverb
The last thing one knows-is what to put first.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Before beginning, plan carefully.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Every beginning is a consequence. Every beginning ends something.
—Paul Valery (1871–1945) French Critic, Poet
Such a beginning, such an end.
—German Proverb
Become addicted to constant and never-ending self-improvement.
—Anthony J. D’Angelo
America, in the eyes of the world, typifies above all else this quality of initiative. The greatest successes are nearly all the fruit of initiative. Why do we hold in such high esteem the achievements of the Wright brothers? Because they were illustrious examples of initiative and tenacity. And ideas are born of initiative, the children of men and women of initiative. Advancement is applied initiative. Don’t imitate. Initiate.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
When someone gives you a drop of water reward him with a never ending source.
—Chinese Proverb
Every beginning is a consequence. Every beginning ends something.
—Unknown
A good beginning makes a good ending.
—English Proverb
More powerful than the will to win is the courage to begin.
—Unknown