Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading newspapers is like trying to tell the time by watching the second hand of a clock.
—Ben Hecht (1894–1964) American Screenwriter, Playwright
The best angle from which to approach any problem is the try-angle.
—Unknown
Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Start early and begin raising the bar throughout the day.
—Bruce Jenner (b.1949) American Sportsperson
In reality, serendipity accounts for one percent of the blessings we receive in life, work and love. The other 99 percent is due to our efforts.
—Peter McWilliams (1949–2000) American Author, Self-Help Writer
It’s the last inch that counts.
—Unknown
The first thing I did was commit to my success and playing to win. I swore I would focus and not even consider leaving this business until I was a millionaire or more. This was radically different from my previous efforts, where, because I always thought short-term, I would constantly get side-tracked by either good opportunities or when things got tough.
—T. Harv Eker (b.1954) American Motivational Speaker, Lecturer, Author
The whole effort of a sincere man is to erect his personal impressions into laws.
—Remy de Gourmont (1858–1915) French Critic, Novelist
In the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding on the back of the tiger ended up inside.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
If you would relish food, labor for it before you take it; if enjoy clothing, pay for it before you wear it; if you would sleep soundly, take a clear conscience to bed with you.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
You have to perform at a consistently higher level than others. That’s the mark of a true professional.
—Joe Paterno (1926–2012) American College Football Coach
It is vain to do with more what can be done with less.
—William of Ockham (1288–1347) English Philosopher, Theologian
The medals don’t mean anything and the glory doesn’t last. It’s all about your happiness. The rewards are going to come, but my happiness is just loving the sport and having fun performing.
—Jackie Joyner-Kersee (b.1962) American Athlete
Set your target and keep trying until you reach it.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
Freedom from effort in the present merely means that there has been effort stored up in the past.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Historian, Political Leader, Explorer
Success is the sum of small efforts,
Repeated day in and day out,
With never a thought of frustration,
With never a thought of doubt.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
I would rather earn 1% off a 100 people’s efforts than 100% of my own efforts.
—John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) American Oil Magnate, Philanthropist
It is easier to go down a hill than up, but the view is from the top.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist, Playwright, Critic
Contrary to what we usually believe … the best moments in our lives, are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times—although such experiences can also be enjoyable, if we have worked hard to attain them. The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.
—Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (1934–2021) Hungarian-American Psychologist
The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting in above-average effort.
—Colin Powell (1937–2021) American Military Leader
If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
—Anonymous
Each honest calling, each walk of life, has its own elite, its own aristocracy based on excellence of performance.
—James Bryant Conant (1893–1978) American Chemist, Educator
It’s the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance and sweeps away all obstacles.
—Claude M. Bristol (1891–1951) American Journalist, Self-Help Author
Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.
—Arnold Palmer (1929–2016) American Professional Golfer
But the effort, the effort! And as the marrow is eaten out of a man’s bones and the soul out of his belly, contending with the strange rapacity of savage life, the lower stage of creation, he cannot make the effort any more.
—D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930) English Novelist, Playwright, Poet, Essayist, Critic
I would like to explain the meaning of compassion, which is often misunderstood. Genuine compassion is based not on our own projections and expectations, but rather on the rights of the other: irrespective of whether another person is a close friend or an enemy, as long as that person wishes for peace and happiness and wishes to overcome suffering, then on that basis we develop genuine concern for his or her problem. This is genuine compassion. Usually when we are concerned about a close friend, we call this compassion. This is not compassion; it is attachment. Even in marriage, those marriages that last only a short time do so because of attachment—although it is generally present—but because there is also compassion. Marriages that last only a short time do so because of a lack of compassion; there is only emotional attachment based on projection and expectation. When the only bond between close friends is attachment, then even a minor issue may cause one’s projections to change. As soon as our projections change, the attachment disappears—because that attachment was based solely on projection and expectation. It is possible to have compassion without attachment—and similarly, to have anger without hatred. Therefore we need to clarify the distinctions between compassion and attachment, and between anger and hatred. Such clarity is useful in our daily life and in our efforts towards world peace. I consider these to be basic spiritual values for the happiness of all human beings, regardless of whether one is a believer or a nonbeliever.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Leader, Civil Rights Advocate, Author
There’s no taking trout with dry breeches.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
If a man or woman is born ten years sooner or later, their whole aspect and performance shall be different.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
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