Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Start early and begin raising the bar throughout the day.
—Bruce Jenner (b.1949) American Sportsperson
There is only one situation I can think of in which men and women make an effort to read better than they usually do. [It is] when they are in love and reading a love letter.
—Mortimer J. Adler (1902–2001) American Philosopher, Educator
For every disciplined effort there is a multiple reward.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
These people are often authoritarian and rigid in their views, exerting power over others in an effort to keep others from having power over them. Persecutors may act grandiose and self-righteous to mask their own insecurity.
—David Emerald
If you torture data long enough, it will tell you anything you want !
—Unknown
You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself.
—Harvey Samuel Firestone (1868–1938) American Industrialist
I would rather earn 1% off a 100 people’s efforts than 100% of my own efforts.
—John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) American Oil Magnate, Philanthropist
How much we like ourselves governs our performance.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
Travelers, it is late. Life’s sun is going to set. During these brief days that you have strength, be quick and spare no effort of your wings.
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–73) Persian Muslim Mystic
Let a man with perseverance abstain from doing evil deeds, like person who, not being blind, avoids the uneven roads.
—Buddhist Teaching
I would like to explain the meaning of compassion, which is often misunderstood. Genuine compassion is based not on our own projections and expectations, but rather on the rights of the other: irrespective of whether another person is a close friend or an enemy, as long as that person wishes for peace and happiness and wishes to overcome suffering, then on that basis we develop genuine concern for his or her problem. This is genuine compassion. Usually when we are concerned about a close friend, we call this compassion. This is not compassion; it is attachment. Even in marriage, those marriages that last only a short time do so because of attachment—although it is generally present—but because there is also compassion. Marriages that last only a short time do so because of a lack of compassion; there is only emotional attachment based on projection and expectation. When the only bond between close friends is attachment, then even a minor issue may cause one’s projections to change. As soon as our projections change, the attachment disappears—because that attachment was based solely on projection and expectation. It is possible to have compassion without attachment—and similarly, to have anger without hatred. Therefore we need to clarify the distinctions between compassion and attachment, and between anger and hatred. Such clarity is useful in our daily life and in our efforts towards world peace. I consider these to be basic spiritual values for the happiness of all human beings, regardless of whether one is a believer or a nonbeliever.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
Effort is only effort when it begins to hurt.
—Jose Ortega y. Gasset (1883–1955) Spanish Critic, Journalist, Philosopher
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting in above-average effort.
—Colin Powell (1937–2021) American Military Leader
In the yogic tradition, this principle of using intense effort to burn through life’s distractions is called Tapas. It’s another Sanskrit word, roughly defined as “heat” or “essential energy”. The concept is that through a disciplined approach to work and self-sacrifice, Tapas will burn away the negativity that separates us from God. By working our hardest and happily enduring the hardships of life we are able to create a sense of peace and clarity in ourselves.
—Russell Simmons (b.1957) American Music Promoter
There’s no taking trout with dry breeches.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Wise to resolve, patient to perform.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
There is merit in the attempt, and a whole lot accomplished along the way.
—Unknown
Whether our efforts are, or not, favored by life, let us be able to say, when we come near to the great goal, I have done what I could.
—Louis Pasteur (1822–95) French Biologist
When a man does not reckon the heat and cold more than the grass (does), he is sure to be rewarded with happiness in the long run.
—Buddhist Teaching
Remember that the most difficult tasks are consummated, not by a single explosive burst of energy or effort, but by the constant daily application of the best you have within you.
—Og Mandino (1923–96) American Self-Help Author
There is no comparison between that which is lost by not succeeding and that which is lost by not trying.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
I made up my mind long ago that life was too short to do anything for myself that I could pay others to do for me.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
The whole effort of a sincere man is to erect his personal impressions into laws.
—Remy de Gourmont (1858–1915) French Critic, Novelist
In my experience, getting rich takes focus, courage, knowledge, expertise, 100 percent of your effort, a never-give-up attitude and of course a rich mind-set.
—T. Harv Eker (b.1954) American Motivational Speaker, Lecturer, Author
You’re neither right nor wrong because other people agree with you. You’re right because your facts are right and your reasoning is right—and that’s the only thing that makes you right. And if your facts and reasoning are right, you don’t have to worry about anybody else.
—Warren Buffett (b.1930) American Investor
Life doesn’t require that we be the best—only that we try our best.
—H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (b.1940) American Self-Help Author
You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however.
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Novelist, Aviator