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
Nothing earthly will make me give up my work in despair.
—David Livingstone (1813–73) Scottish Missionary, Explorer
I am in earnest; I will not equivocate; I will not excuse; I will not retreat a single inch; and I will be heard.
—William Lloyd Garrison (1805–79) American Journalist, Abolitionist
Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
The dedicated life is the life worth living. You must give with your whole heart.
—Annie Dillard (b.1945) Essayist, Novelist, Poet, Naturalist, Mystic
I submit to you that if a man has not discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
The height of your accomplishments will equal the depth of your convictions.
—William F. Scolavino
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
Most of us serve our ideals by fits and starts. The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication.
—Cecil B. DeMille (1881–1959) American Film Producer, Director
Many a man has walked up to the opportunity for which he has long been preparing himself, looked it full in the face, and then begun to get cold feet … when it comes to betting on yourself and your power to do the thing you know you must do or write yourself down a failure, you’re a chicken-livered coward if you hesitate.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
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
Obedience is the fruit of faith.
—Christina Rossetti (1830–94) English Poet, Hymn Writer
After the cheers have died down and the stadium is empty, after the headlines have been written and after you are back in the quiet of your room and the championship ring has been placed on the dresser and all the pomp and fanfare has faded, the enduring things that are left are: the dedication to excellence, the dedication to victory, and the dedication to doing with our lives the very best we can to make the world a better place in which to live.
—Vince Lombardi, Jr. (1913–70) American Football Player, Coach
By the grace of God, I’ll be that man.
—Dwight L. Moody (1837–99) Christian Religious Leader, Publisher
Even now we can draw back. But once we cross that little bridge, we must settle things by the sword.
—Julius Caesar (c.100–44BCE) Roman Statesman, Military General
I have brought myself by long meditation to the conviction that a human being with a settled purpose must accomplish it, and that nothing can resist a will which will stake even existence upon its fulfillment.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
Love me, please; I love you; I can bear to be your friend. So ask of me anything … I am not a tentative person. Whatever I do I give up my whole self to it.
—Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892–1950) American Poet, Playwright, Feminist
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
I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
He turns not back who is bound to a star.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Inventor, Architect
People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.
—Harvey Mackay (b.1932) American Businessman, Columnist, Author
In war there is no substitute for victory.
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) 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
Unless you can find some sort of loyalty, you cannot find unity and peace in your active living.
—Josiah Royce (1855–1916) American Idealist Philosopher
Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster.
—William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–91) American Military Leader, Businessperson, Educator
Those indeed who attain any excellence commonly spend life in one pursuit, for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
The teacher is like the candle which lights others in consuming itself.
—Giovanni Ruffini (1807–81) Italian Writer, Patriot
One advantage of marriage, it seems to me, is that when you fall out of love with him, or he falls out of love with you, it keeps you together until you maybe fall in love again.
—Judith Viorst (b.1931) American Psychoanalyst, Journalist, Writer
We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.
—Jesse Owens (1913–80) American Track-and-Field Athlete
A belief which does not spring from a conviction in the emotions is no belief at all.
—Evelyn Scott (1893–1963) American Novelist, Playwright, Poet