Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; while others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before.
—Polybius (c.200–c.118 BCE) Greek Historian
No rock so hard but that a little wave may beat admission in a thousand years.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
Endurance is the crowning quality, and patience all the passion of great hearts.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
A little and a little, collected together, becomes a great deal; the heap in the barn consists of single grains, and drop and drop make the inundation.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
As long as we are persistence in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time.
—Denis Waitley (b.1933) American Motivational Speaker, Author
Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacle s, discouragement s, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor.
—Menander (c.343–c.291 BCE) Greek Comic Dramatist, Poet
Hang in there. Hang in there because the greatest quarterbacks complete only six of 10 passes. The best basketball players make only 50% of their shots. The top oil companies, with all their geologists, drill 10 dry holes for every wet one. And even the most successful actors flunk 29 auditions for television commercials before they land one. So, HANG IN THERE.
—Anonymous
Persevere in virtue and diligence.
—Livy (Titus Livius) (59 BCE–17 CE) Roman Historian
When life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up. Let your reason get you back up.
—Les Brown
For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Do not quit! Hundreds of times I have watched people throw in the towel at the one-yard line while someone else comes along and makes a fortune by just going that extra yard.
—E. Joseph Cossman
The big shots are only the little shots who keep shooting.
—Christopher Morley (1890–1957) American Novelist, Essayist
The most essential factor is persistence—the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.
—James Whitcomb Riley (1849–1916) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Writer
Endure and persist; this pain will turn to good by and by.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Continuous, unflagging effort, persistence and determination will win. Let not the man be discouraged who has these.
—James Whitcomb Riley (1849–1916) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Writer
What we do not see, what most of us never suspect of existing, is the silent but irresistible power which comes to the rescue of those who fight on in the face of discouragement.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
How long should you try? Until.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.
—John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) American Oil Magnate, Philanthropist
The person who wins may have been counted out several times, but didn’t hear the referee.
—Indian Proverb
The most interesting thing about a postage stamp is the persistence with which it sticks to its job.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
A violent wind does not outlast the morning; a squall of rain does not outlast the day. Such is the course of Nature. And if Nature herself cannot sustain her efforts long, how much less can man!
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
By persisting in your path, though you forfeit the little, you gain the great.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.
—Newt Gingrich (b.1943) American Politician
LIFE’S MIRROR
There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
There are souls that are pure and true,
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.
Give love, and love to your life will flow,
A strength in your utmost need,
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
Their faith in your word and deed.
Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind;
And honor will honor meet;
And a smile that is sweet will surely find
A smile that is just as sweet.
Give pity and sorrow to those who mourn,
You will gather in flowers again
The scattered seeds from your thoughts outborne
Though the sowing seemed but vain.
For life is the mirror of king and slave,
‘Tis just what we are and do;
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.
—Mary Ainge de Vere (Madeline S. Bridges) (1844–1920) American Poet, Author
To persevere, trusting in what hopes he has, is courage in a man. The coward despairs.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Perseverance, self-reliance, energetic effort, are doubly strengthened when your rise to battle again.
—Indian Proverb
The fall of dropping water wears away the Stone.
—Lucretius (c.99–55 BCE) Roman Epicurean Poet, Philosopher
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
—Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) British Children’s Books Writer, Short story, Novelist, Poet, Journalist
Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it and whispers, Grow, Grow”.”
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Perseverance is the most overrated of traits, if it is unaccompanied by talent; beating your head against a wall is more likely to produce a concussion in the head than a hole in the wall.
—Sydney J. Harris (1917–86) American Essayist, Drama Critic
Hope is a vigorous principle; it is furnished with light and heat to advise and execute; it sets the head and heart to work, and animates a man to do his utmost. And thus, by perpetually pushing and assurance, it puts a difficulty out of countenance, and makes a seeming impossibility give way.
—Jeremy Collier (1650–1726) Anglican Church Historian, Clergyman
Either I will find a way, or I will make one.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
I am not concerned that you have fallen—I am concerned that you arise.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Consider the postage stamp, my son. It secures success through its ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Stars are good too. I wish I could get some to put in my hair. But I suppose I never can. You would be surprised to find how far off they are, for they do not look it. When they first showed last night I tried to knock some down with a pole, but it didn’t reach, which astonished me. Then I tried clods till I was all tired out, but I never got one. I did make some close shots, for I saw the black blot of the clod sail right into thee midst of the golden clusters forty or fifty times, just barely missing them, and if I could’ve held out a little longer, maybe I could’ve got one.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
I’m a slow walker, but I never walk back.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
We make way for the man who boldly pushes past us.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
He conquers who endures.
—Persius (34–62 CE) Roman Satirist
I am a kind of burr; I shall stick.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Some people plant in the spring and leave in the summer. If you’re signed up for a season, see it through. You don’t have to stay forever, but at least stay until you see it through.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.
—Marie Curie (1867–1934) Polish-born French Physicist, Chemist
Boys, there ain’t no free lunches in this country. And don’t go spending your whole life commiserating that you got the raw deals. You’ve got to say, “I think that if I keep working at this and want it bad enough I can have it.” It’s called perseverance.
—Lee Iacocca (1924–2019) American Businessperson
Many strokes overthrow the tallest oaks.
—John Lyly (1554–1606) English Dramatist, Novelist, Writer
It helps, I think, to consider ourselves on a very long journey: the main thing is to keep to the faith, to endure, to help each other when we stumble or tire, to weep and press on.
—M. C. Richards (1916–99) American Poet, Potter, Writer
The troubles of our proud and angry dust are from eternity, and shall not fail. Bear them we can, and if we can we must. Shoulder the sky, my lad, and drink your ale.
—A. E. Housman (1859–1936) English Poet, Classical Scholar
Sure I am of this, that you have only to endure to conquer. You have only to persevere to save yourselves.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author