I put a piece of paper under my pillow, and when I could not sleep I wrote in the dark.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Impossibilities are merely things which we have not yet learned.
—Charles W. Chesnutt (1858–1932) American Novelist, Essayist, Political Activist, Short Story Write
Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.
—Louis Brandeis (1856–1941) American Jurist
Do not fight against Providence; nor bring more heavy weather to the storm. Face what is already there.
—Menander (c.343–c.291 BCE) Greek Comic Dramatist, Poet
Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity.
—Lou Holtz (1893–1980) American Stage Performer
In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities.
—Unknown
Education will not (take the place of persistence); the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Real leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determination.
—Unknown
You can do anything if you have enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes rise to the stars. With it, there is accomplishment. Without it there are only alibis.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan, ‘press on’ has solved, and always will solve, the problems of the human race.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
I always feel pressure. If you don’t feel nervous, that means you don’t care about how you play. I care about how I perform. I’ve always said the day I’m not nervous playing is the day I quit.
—Tiger Woods (b.1975) American Sportsperson
Determination is the wake-up call to the human will.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
The natural effort of every individual to better his own condition is so powerful that it is alone, and without any assistance, capable not only of carrying on the society to wealth and prosperity, but of surmounting 100 impertinent obstructions with which the folly of human laws too often encumbers its operations.
—George Goodman (b.1930) American Economist, Author
Nothing in this world is impossible to a willing heart.
—Unknown
Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.
—Og Mandino (1923–96) American Self-Help Author
Impossible situations can become possible miracles.
—Robert H. Schuller (1926–2015) American Christian Televangelist, Author
Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
—Michael Jordan (b.1963) American Sportsperson, Businessperson
So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height; for the people had a mind to work.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can.
—Jimmy Carter (b.1924) American Head of State, Military Leader
Once while St. Francis of Assisi was hoeing his garden, he was asked, “What would you do it you were suddenly to learn that you were to die at sunset today?” He replied, “I would finish hoeing my garden.”
—Unknown
If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
One of the saddest lines in the world is, ‘Oh come now – be realistic.’ The best parts of this world were not fashioned by those who were realistic. They were fashioned by those who dared to look hard at their wishes and gave them horses to ride.
—Richard Nelson Bolles (1927–2017) American Self-Help Author
Times of general calamity and collusion have ever been productive of the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace, and the lightest thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storm.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Firmness, both in suffering and exertion, is a character which I would wish to possess.—I have always despised the whining yelp of complaint, and the cowardly feeble resolve.
—Robert Burns (1759–96) Scottish Poet, Songwriter
A leader, once convinced that a particular course of action is the right one, must be undaunted when the going gets tough.
—Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) American Head of State
I learned about the strength you can get from a close family life. I learned to keep going, even in bad times. I learned not to despair, even when my world was falling apart. I learned that there are no free lunches. And I learned the value of hard work.
—Lee Iacocca (1924–2019) American Businessperson
Do Not Quit
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit…
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar.
So, stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit…
It’s when things go wrong that you mustn’t quit.
—Edgar Guest (1881–1959) English-born American Poet, Radio Personality, TV Personality
It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.
—Robert H. Goddard (1882–1945) American Inventor, Physicist, Academic
Confronting and overcoming challenges is an exhilarating experience. It does something to feed the soul and the mind. It makes you more than you were before. It strengthens the mental muscles and enables you to become better prepared for the next challenge.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
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