Either do not attempt at all, or go through with it.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Reality forms around a commitment.
—Unknown
When you make a commitment to a relationship, you invest your attention and energy in it more profoundly because you now experience ownership of that relationship.
—Barbara De Angelis (b.1951) American Self-Help Author
For we have thought the longer thoughts
And gone the shorter way.
And we have danced to devil’s tunes
Shivering home to pray;
I take you now and for always,
For always is always now.
—Philip Larkin (1922–85) English Poet, Librarian, Novelist
Make small commitments and keep them. Be a light, not a judge. Be a model, not a critic. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
To say yes, you have to sweat and roll up your sleeves and plunge both hands into life up to the elbows. It’s easy to say no, even if it means dying.
—Jean Anouilh (1910–87) French Dramatist
Commitment in the face of conflict produces character.
—Unknown
Better that we should die fighting than be outraged and dishonored. Better to die than to live in slavery.
—Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928) British Suffragette Leader
Winners are men who have dedicated their whole lives to winning.
—Woody Hayes (1913–87) American Sportsperson
Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality. It is the words that speak boldly of your intentions. And the actions which speak louder than the words. It is making the time when there is none. Coming through time after time after time, year after year after year. Commitment is the stuff character is made of; the power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism.
—Anonymous
There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.
—Ken Blanchard (b.1939) American Author, Management Consultant
The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed.
—Martina Navratilova (b.1956) Czech-born American Sportsperson
He turns not back who is bound to a star.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Inventor, Architect
Great minds have purposes; others have wishes.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
It is by losing himself in the objective, in inquiry, creation, and craft, that a man becomes something.
—Paul Goodman (1911–72) American Novelist, Essayist
Never let a day pass that you will have cause to say, I will do better tomorrow.
—Brigham Young (1801–77) American Mormon Leader
I sincerely wish war was a pleasanter and easier business than it is, but it does not admit of holidays.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
What one has, one ought to use; and whatever he does, he should do with all his might.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
The principle of neutrality … has increasingly become an obsolete conception, and, except under very special circumstances, it is an immoral and shortsighted conception.
—John Foster Dulles (1888–1959) American Republican Public Official, Lawyer
Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated; you can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.
—David Lloyd George (1863–1945) British Liberal Statesman
The fixed determination to have acquired the warrior soul, to either conquer or perish with honor, is the secret of victory.
—George S. Patton (1885–1945) American Military Leader
A winner makes commitment. A loser makes promises.
—Unknown
The test before us as a people is not whether our commitments match our will and our courage; but whether we have the will and courage to match our commitments.
—Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–73) American Head of State, Political leader
If you deny yourself commitment, what can you do with your life?
—Harvey Fierstein (b.1952) American Actor, Playwright, Civil Rights Activist
Firmness of purpose is one of the most necessary sinews of character, and one of the best instruments of success. Without it genius wastes its efforts in a maze of inconsistencies.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
What a man believes, he will die for. What a man merely thinks, he will change his mind about.
—Unknown
Nothing is so common as unsuccessful men with talent. They lack only determination.
—Chuck Swindoll (b.1934) American Evangelical Christian Pastor, Author
What distinguishes the majority of men from the few is their inability to act according to their beliefs.
—Henry Miller (1891–1980) American Novelist
So will I go in unto the king … and if I perish, I perish.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
If you start to take Vienna – take Vienna.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Drink nothing without seeing it; sign nothing without reading it
—Spanish Proverb
There is no strong performance without a little fascination in the performer.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The worth of every conviction consists precisely in the steadfastness with which it is held.
—Jane Addams (1860–1935) American Social Reformer, Feminist
If you want to take your mission in life to the next level, if you’re stuck and you don’t know how to rise, don’t look outside yourself. Look inside. Don’t let your fears keep you mired in the crowd. Abolish your fears and raise your commitment level to the point of no return, and I guarantee you that the Champion Within will burst forth to propel you toward victory.
—Bruce Jenner (b.1949) American Sportsperson
He who walks in the middle of the road gets hit from both sides.
—George P. Shultz (b.1920) American Economist, Political leader, Businessperson, Academic
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
—Vince Lombardi, Jr. (1913–70) American Football Player, Coach
Anyone can dabble, but once you’ve made that commitment, your blood has that particular thing in it, and it’s very hard for people to stop you.
—Bill Cosby (b.1937) American Actor, Comedian, Activist, Producer, Author
Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.
—Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013) British Head of State
He did it with all his heart, and prospered.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
He that rides his hobby gently must always give way to him that rides his hobby hard.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Football Coach
Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.
—George S. Patton (1885–1945) American Military Leader
We can do whatever we wish to do provided our wish is strong enough. But the tremendous effort needed – one doesn’t always want to make it – does one? … But what else can be done? What’s the alternative? What do you want most to do? That’s what I have to keep asking myself, in the face of difficulties.
—Katherine Mansfield (1888–1923) New Zealand-born British Author
The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Football Coach
The middle of the road is where the white line is—and that’s the worst place to drive.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
You need to make a commitment, and once you make it, then life will give you some answers.
—Les Brown
All great masters are chiefly distinguished by the power of adding a second, a third, and perhaps a fourth step in a continuous line. Many a man had taken the first step. With every additional step you enhance immensely the value of you first.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The teacher is like the candle which lights others in consuming itself.
—Giovanni Ruffini (1807–81) Italian Writer, Patriot
Our future and our fate lie in our wills more than in our hands, for our hands are but the instruments of our wills.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher