Nothing of worthy or weight can be achieved with half a mind, with a faint heart, and with a lame endeavor.
—Isaac Barrow
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
Great minds have purposes; others have wishes.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
I hold that a writer who does not passionately elieve in the perfectibility of man has no edication nor any membership in literature.
—John Steinbeck (1902–68) American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Journalist
Nothing is so common as unsuccessful men with talent. They lack only determination.
—Chuck Swindoll (b.1934) American Evangelical Christian Pastor, Author
I do not believe that friends are necessarily the people you like best; they are merely the people who got there first.
—Peter Ustinov (1921–2004) British Actor, Playwright, Director
You will not be carried to Heaven lying at ease upon a feather bed.
—Samuel Rutherford (1600–61) Scottish Presbyterian Theologian, Author
People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.
—Harvey Mackay (b.1932) American Businessman, Columnist, Author
The dedicated life is the life worth living. You must give with your whole heart.
—Annie Dillard (b.1945) Essayist, Novelist, Poet, Naturalist, Mystic
He did it with all his heart, and prospered.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
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
Put your heart, mind, intellect, and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.
—Sivananda Saraswati (1887–1963) Indian Hindu Spiritual Teacher
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
Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal. The winner is he who gives himself to his work, body and soul.
—Charles Buxton (1823–71) British Politician, Writer
The teacher is like the candle which lights others in consuming itself.
—Giovanni Ruffini (1807–81) Italian Writer, Patriot
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
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
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
There is a point at which everything becomes simple and there is no longer any question of choice, because all you have staked will be lost if you look back. Life’s point of no return.
—Dag Hammarskjold (1905–61) Swedish Statesman, UN Diplomat
I will place no value on anything I have or may possess except in relation to the kingdom of Christ.
—David Livingstone (1813–73) Scottish Missionary, Explorer
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
If you don’t make a total commitment to whatever you’re doing, then you start looking to bail out the first time the boat starts leaking. It’s tough enough getting that boat to shore with everybody rowing, let alone when a guy stands up and starts putting his life jacket on.
—Lou Holtz (1893–1980) American Stage Performer
What a man believes, he will die for. What a man merely thinks, he will change his mind about.
—Unknown
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
I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday.
—Unknown
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
By the grace of God, I’ll be that man.
—Dwight L. Moody (1837–99) Christian Religious Leader, Publisher
It was my tongue that swore; my heart is unsworn.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Dedication is not what others expect of you, it is what you can give to others.
—Unknown
Winners are men who have dedicated their whole lives to winning.
—Woody Hayes (1913–87) American Sportsperson
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