To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
It’s the plugging away that will win you the day
So don’t be a piker old pard!
Just draw on your grit; it’s so easy to quit.
It’s the keeping your chin up that’s hard.
—Robert W. Service (1874–1958) Canadian Poet, Writer
Like ships, men flounder time and time again.
—Henry Miller (1891–1980) American Novelist
Obstacles cannot crush me. Every obstacle yields to stern resolve. He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Architect
Zeal without knowledge is like expedition to a man in the dark.
—John Newton (1725–1807) English Clergyman, Writer
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
—Beverly Sills (1929–2007) American Singer, Musician
Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American 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
They sailed. They sailed. Then spoke the mate:
“This mad sea shows its teeth to-night
He curls his lip, he lies in wait,
With lifted teeth, as if to bite!
Brave admiral, say but one good word:
What shall we do when hope is gone?.”
The words leapt like a leaping sword:
“Sail on! sail on! and on!”
—Joaquin Miller (1837–1913) American Poet, Journalist
I read my own books sometimes to cheer me when it is hard to write and then I remember that it was always difficult and how nearly impossible it was sometimes.
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American Author, Journalist, Short Story Writer
One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars; and the world was better for this.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
No greater thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
If something is boring after 2 minutes, try it for 4. If still boring, try it for 8, 16, 32, and so on. Eventually, one discovers that it is not boring, but very interesting.
—Zen Proverb Japanese School of Mahayana Buddhism
We must learn from life how to suffer it.
—French Proverb
The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it.—Skilful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.
—Epicurus (c.341–270 BCE) Greek Philosopher
People have to learn sometimes not only how much the heart, but how much the head, can bear.
—Maria Mitchell (1818–89) American Astronomer
I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me. I have accepted fear as a part of life—specifically the fear of change, the fear of the unknown; and I have gone ahead despite the pounding in my heart that says: turn back, turn back, you’ll die if you venture too far.
—Erica Jong (b.1942) American Novelist, Feminist
If I had refused to institute a negotiation or had not persevered in it, I would have been degraded in my own estimation as a man of honor.
—John Adams (1735–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Call the roll in your memory of conspicuously successful (business) giants and, if you know anything about their careers, you will be struck by the fact that almost every one of them encountered inordinate difficulties sufficient to crush all but the gamest of spirits. Edison went hungry many times before he became famous.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
Since every man who lives is born to die, and none can boast sincere felicity, with equal mind, what happens, let us bear, nor joy nor grieve too much for things beyond our care.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
The champ may have lost his stuff temporarily or permanently, he can’t be sure. When he can no longer throw his high hard one, he throws his heart instead. He throws something. He just doesn’t walk off the mound and weep.
—Raymond Chandler (1888–1959) American Novelist
If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm.
—Frank Lane (1896–1981) American Sportsperson, Businessperson
Oh, fear not in a world like this, and thou shalt know erelong, know how sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Without perseverance talent is a barren bed.
—Welsh Proverb
The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.
—Unknown
The secret of success is constancy of purpose.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
As long as a person doesn’t admit he is defeated, he is not defeated – he’s just a little behind, and isn’t through fighting.
—Darrell Royal (1924–2012) American Football Player
The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
The tragedy of life is not that man loses,
but that he almost wins.
—Heywood Hale Broun (1918–2001) American Journalist, Commentator, Actor
I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday.
—Unknown
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