All’s well that ends well.
—Common Proverb
It’s not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.
—John Wooden (1910–2010) American Sportsperson
It is really true what philosophy tells us, that life must be understood backwards. But with this, one forgets the second proposition, that it must be lived forwards.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
One may walk over the highest mountain one step at a time.
—John Wanamaker (1838–1922) American Merchant, Civil Servant
One of the commonest mistakes and one of the costliest is thinking that success is due to some genius, some magic—something or other which we do not possess. Success is generally due to holding on, and failure to letting go. You decide to learn a language, study music, take a course of reading, train yourself physically. Will it be success or failure? It depends upon how much pluck and perseverance that word “decide” contains. The decision that nothing can overrule, the grip that nothing can detach will bring success. Remember the Chinese proverb, “With time and patience, the mulberry leaf becomes satin.”
—Maltbie Davenport Babcock (1858–1901) American Presbyterian Minister, Writer
Many strokes overthrow the tallest oaks.
—John Lyly (1554–1606) English Dramatist, Novelist, Writer
There’s often no way you can look into the game of life and determine whether or not you’ll get that big break tomorrow or whether it will take another week, month, year or even longer. But it will come!
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
Individual commitment to a group effort–that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Football Coach
The fall of dropping water wears away the Stone.
—Lucretius (c.99–55 BCE) Roman Epicurean Poet, Philosopher
The most essential factor is persistence—the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.
—James Whitcomb Riley (1849–1916) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Writer
I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it,—but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist
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
The majority of men meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
If I had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being most highly correlated with success, whatever the field, I would pick the trait of persistence. Determination. The will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get up off the floor saying, “Here comes number seventy-one!”
—Richard DeVos (1926–2018) American Businessman, Philanthropist
What can any of us do with his talent but try to develop his vision, so that through frequent failures we may learn better what we have missed in the past.
—William Carlos Williams (1883–1963) American Poet, Novelist, Cultural Historian
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
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Even in social life, it is persistency which attracts confidence more than talents and accomplishments.
—Edwin Percy Whipple (1819–86) American Literary Critic
The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
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
Never admit defeat.
—Arthur Rimbaud (1854–91) French Poet, Adventurer
Persistence is what makes the impossible possible, the possible likely, and the likely definite.
—Robert Half
When you want a thing deeply, earnestly and intensely, this feeling of desire reinforces your will and arouses in you the determination to work for the desired object. When you have a distinct purpose in view, your work becomes of absorbing interest. You bend your best powers to it; you give it concentrated attention; you think of little else than the realization of this purpose; your will is stimulated into unusual activity, and as a consequence you do your work with an increasing sense of power.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
For all things difficult to acquire, the intelligent man works with perseverance.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Triumph often is nearest when defeat seems inescapable.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
The rewards for those who persevere far exceed the pain that must precede the victory.
—Ted Engstrom (1916–2006) American Christian Religious Leader
I’ve always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn’t have a chance to win.
—Arnold Palmer (b.1929) American Sportsperson
Endurance is the crowning quality, and patience all the passion of great hearts.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
We can do anything we want to do if we stick to it long enough.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
There’s nothing in this world that comes easy. There are a lot of people who aren’t going to bother to win. We learn in football to get up and go once more.
—Woody Hayes (1913–87) American Sportsperson
Education is hanging around until you’ve caught on.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
The universal line of distinction between the strong and the weak is that one persists; the other hesitates, falters, trifles, and at last collapses or “caves in.”
—Edwin Percy Whipple (1819–86) American Literary Critic
As long as the day lasts, let’s give it all we got.
—David O. McKay (1873–1970) American Mormon Religious Leader
Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.
—John Quincy Adams (1767–1848) Sixth President of the USA
Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.
—Conrad Hilton (1887–1979) American Business Person
Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life—think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, that is way great spiritual giants are produced.
—Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) Indian Hindu Monk, Mystic
What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.
—Unknown
Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Boys, there ain’t no free lunches in this country. And don’t go spending your whole life commiserating that you got the raw deals. You’ve got to say, “I think that if I keep working at this and want it bad enough I can have it.” It’s called perseverance.
—Lee Iacocca (1924–2019) American Businessperson
You don’t become enormously successful without encountering and overcoming a number of extremely challenging problems.
—Mark Victor Hansen (b.1948) American Public Speaker, Motivational Speaker, Writer
He conquers who endures.
—Persius (34–62 CE) Roman Satirist
Defeat is simply a signal to press onward.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
He who asks of life nothing but the improvement of his own nature is less liable than anyone else to miss and waste life.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
Pay as little attention to discouragement as possible. Plough ahead as a steamer does, rough or smooth – rain or shine. To carry your cargo and make your port is the point.
—Maltbie Davenport Babcock (1858–1901) American Presbyterian Minister, Writer
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
Mediocrity obtains more with application than superiority without it.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
I hold a doctrine, to which I owe not touch, indeed, but all the little I ever had, namely, that with ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.
—Sir Thomas Buxton, 1st Baronet (1786–1845) English Politician, Social Reformer
A little and a little, collected together, becomes a great deal; the heap in the barn consists of single grains, and drop and drop make the inundation.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet
Persist and persevere, and you will find most things that are attainable, possible.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
By perseverance the snail reached the Ark.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
Whoever perseveres will be crowned.
—Johann Gottfried Herder (1744–1803) German Lutheran Philosopher, Theologian, Poet, Literary Critic
When your dreams turn to dust, vacuum.
—Desmond Tutu (b.1931) South African Clergyman
If you doubt you can accomplish something, then you can’t accomplish it. You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.
—Rosalynn Carter (b.1927) American Humanitarian, First Lady
We shall live to fight again, and to strike another blow.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
If something doesn’t come up the way you want, you have to forge ahead.
—Clint Eastwood (b.1930) American Film Director, Film Producer, Film Actor
Some people plant in the spring and leave in the summer. If you’re signed up for a season, see it through. You don’t have to stay forever, but at least stay until you see it through.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
Perseverance alone does not assure success. No amount of stalking will lead to game in a field that has none.
—I Ching Ancient Chinese Divination Text
My angel, cries Booth, it delights me to hear you talk thus, and for a reason you little guess; for I am assured that one who can so heroically endure adversity, will bear prosperity with equal greatness of soul; for the mind that cannot be dejected by the former, is not likely to be transported with the latter.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
Perseverance and audacity generally win.
—Dorothee Luzy Dotinville (1747–1830) French Dancer, Actress
Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.
—Earl Nightingale (1921–89) American Motivational Speaker, Author
I am not the smartest or most talented person in the world, but I succeeded because I keep going, and going, and going.
—Sylvester Stallone (b.1946) American Actor, Film Director, Screenwriter
When we see ourselves in a situation which must be endured and gone through, it is best to make up our minds to meet it with firmness, and accommodate everything to it in the best way practical. This lessons the evil, while fretting and fuming only serve to increase your own torments.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
The darkest hour is just before the dawn.
—Common Proverb
Perseverance is the most overrated of traits, if it is unaccompanied by talent; beating your head against a wall is more likely to produce a concussion in the head than a hole in the wall.
—Sydney J. Harris (1917–86) American Essayist, Drama Critic
There are but two roads that lead to an important goal and to the doing of great things: strength and perseverance. Strength is the lot of but a few privileged men; but austere perseverance, harsh and continuous, may be employed by the smallest of us and rarely fails of its purpose, for its silent power grows irresistibly greater with time.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Life begins on the other side of despair.
—Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–80) French Philosopher, Playwright, Novelist, Screenwriter, Political Activist
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
No one succeeds without effort … Those who succeed own their success to their perseverance.
—Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950) Indian Hindu Mystic
I was taught that the way of progress is neither swift nor easy.
—Marie Curie (1867–1934) Polish-born French Physicist, Chemist
First there are those who are the winners and know they are winners. Then there are the losers know they are losers. Then there arc those who are not winners but don’t know it. They’re the ones for me. They never quit trying. They’re the soul of our game.
—Bear Bryant (1913–83) American Sportsperson
What cannot be altered must be borne, not blamed.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor.
—Menander (c.343–c.291 BCE) Greek Comic Dramatist, Poet
What we do not see, what most of us never suspect of existing, is the silent but irresistible power which comes to the rescue of those who fight on in the face of discouragement.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
I realized early on that success was tied to not giving up. Most people in this business gave up and went on to other things. If you simply didn’t give up, you would outlast the people who came in on the bus with you.
—Harrison Ford (b.1942) American Actor
Character is built into the spiritual fabric of personality hour by hour, day by day, year by year in much the same deliberate way that physical health is built into the body.
—E. Lamar Kincaid (1924–2014) American Protestant Minister
Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth.
—Julie Andrews (b.1935) British Actress, Singer
In the clutch of circumstance, I have not winced or cried aloud; under the bludgeoning of chance, my head is bloody but unbowed.
—William Ernest Henley (1849–1903) English Poet, Critic, Editor
We pray to you, O God … for strength, determination, and willpower, to do instead of just to pray, to become instead of merely to wish.
—Harold Kushner (b.1935) American Jewish Religious Leader, Priest
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
Continuous, unflagging effort, persistence and determination will win. Let not the man be discouraged who has these.
—James Whitcomb Riley (1849–1916) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Writer
The tragedy of life is not that man loses,
but that he almost wins.
—Heywood Hale Broun (1918–2001) American Journalist, Commentator, Actor
They merit more praise who know how to suffer misery than those who temper themselves with contentment.
—Pietro Aretino (1492–1556) Italian Poet, Dramatist, Satirist
I am a slow walker, but I never walk backwards.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.
—John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) American Oil Magnate, Philanthropist
Nearly every man who develops an idea works at it up to the point where it looks impossible, and then gets discouraged. That’s not the place to become discouraged.
—Thomas Edison (1847–1931) American Inventor, Scientist, Entrepreneur
As long as we are persistence in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time.
—Denis Waitley (b.1933) American Motivational Speaker, Author
You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.
—Nancie J. Carmody
As long as one keeps searching, the answers come.
—Joan Baez (b.1941) American Singer, Songwriter, Musician
If thou hast commenced a good action, leave it not incomplete.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides the champion from someone else who is not a champion. That’s what most people lack, having the guts to go on and just say they’ll go through the pain no matter what happens.
—Arnold Schwarzenegger (b.1947) Austrian-American Athlete, Actor, Politician
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
—Beverly Sills (1929–2007) American Singer, Musician
Be strong!
It matters not how deep entrenched the wrong
How hard the battle goes, the day how long
Faint not – fight on! Tomorrow comes the song.
—Maltbie Davenport Babcock (1858–1901) American Presbyterian Minister, Writer
When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
There is no sudden leap into the stratosphere. There is only advancing step by step, slowly and tortuously, up the pyramid towards your goals.
—Ben Stein (b.1944) American Lawyer, Writer, Economist, Humorist
Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; while others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before.
—Polybius (c.200–c.118 BCE) Greek Historian
Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
It matters if you just don’t give up.
—Stephen Hawking (1942–2018) English Theoretical Physicist, Cosmologist, Academic
A man is not finished when he’s defeated; he’s finished when he quits.
—Richard Nixon (1913–94) American Head of State, Lawyer
A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850–1919) American Poet, Journalist
All great achievements require time.
—David J. Schwartz (1927–87) American Self-help Author
I can remember walking as a child. It was not customary to say you were fatigued. It was customary to complete the goal of the expedition.
—Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) American Actor, TV Personality
What keeps you going isn’t some fine destination but just the road you’re on, and the fact that you know how to drive.
—Barbara Kingsolver (b.1955) American Novelist, Essayist, Poet
An ounce of application is worth a ton of abstraction.
—Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) African-American Educationist
Hasten slowly, and without losing heart put your work twenty times upon the anvil.
—Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux (1636–1711) French Poet, Satirist, Literary Critic
The troubles of our proud and angry dust are from eternity, and shall not fail. Bear them we can, and if we can we must. Shoulder the sky, my lad, and drink your ale.
—A. E. Housman (1859–1936) English Poet, Classical Scholar
Brick walls ar there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something.
—Randy Pausch (1960–2008) American Computer Scientist
The falling drops at last will wear the stone.
—Lucretius (c.99–55 BCE) Roman Epicurean Poet, Philosopher
You go back to the gym and you just do it again and again until you get it right.
—Arnold Schwarzenegger (b.1947) Austrian-American Athlete, Actor, Politician
Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous patience.
—Hyman G. Rickover (1900-86) American Naval Engineering Officer
For me at least there came moments when faith wavered. But there is the great lesson and the great triumph: keep the fire burning until, by and by, out of the mass of sordid details there comes some result.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American Jurist, Author
Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second. Give your dreams all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly, endures.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–81) American Editor, Novelist
It is not always by plugging away at a difficulty and sticking at it that one overcomes it; but, rather, often by working on the one next to it. Certain people and certain things require to be approached at an angle.
—Andre Gide (1869–1951) French Novelist
No rock so hard but that a little wave may beat admission in a thousand years.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
To endure is greater than to dare; to tire out hostile fortune; to be daunted by no difficulty; to keep heart when all have lost it; to go through intrigue spotless; to forego even ambition when the end is gained — who can say this is not greatness?
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
You’ve got to say, “I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it.” It’s called perseverance.
—Lee Iacocca (1924–2019) American Businessperson
Do not hover always on the surface of things, nor take up suddenly with mere appearances; but penetrate into the depth of matters, as far as your time and circumstances allow, especially in those things which relate to your profession.
—Isaac Watts (1674–1748) English Hymn writer
I went for years not finishing anything. Because, of course, when you finish something you can be judged … I had poems which were rewritten so many times I suspect it was just a way of avoiding sending them out.
—Erica Jong (b.1942) American Novelist, Feminist
Commerce is a game of skill, which every man cannot play, which few men can play well. The right merchant is one who has the just average of faculties we call commonsense; a man of strong affinity for facts, who makes up his decision on what he has seen. He is thoroughly persuaded of the truths of arithmetic. There is always a reason, in the man, for his good or bad fortune; and so, in making money. Men talk as if there were some magic about this, and believe in magic, in all parts of life. He knows that all goes on the old road, pound for pound, cent for cent-for every effect a perfect cause-and that good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Diamonds are only lumps of coal that stuck to their jobs.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
I’m hardnosed about luck. I think it sucks. Yeah, if you spend seven years looking for a job as a copywriter, and then one day somebody gives you a job, you can say, “Gee, I was lucky I happened to go up there today”. But dammit, I was going to go up there sooner or later in the next 70 years … If you’re persistent in trying and doing and working, you almost make your own fortune.
—Jerry Della Femina (b.1936) American Advertising Executive
If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.
—Dolly Parton (b.1946) American Musician, Actress
Wisely and slow; — they stumble that run fast.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Champions keep playing until they get it right.
—Billie Jean King (b.1943) American Tennis Player
I’m a slow walker, but I never walk back.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Slow and steady wins the race.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
Everyone has his superstitions. One of mine has always been when I started to go anywhere, or to do anything, never to turn back or to stop until the thing intended was accomplished.
—Ulysses S. Grant (1822–85) American Civil War General, Head of State
Our delight in any particular study, art, or science rises and improves in proportion to the application which we bestow upon it. Thus, what was at first an exercise becomes at length an entertainment.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Jesus taught that perseverance is the essential element of prayer. Men must be in earnest when they kneel at God’s footstool. Too often we get faint-hearted and quit praying at the point where we ought to begin. We let go at the very point where we should hold on strongest. Our prayers are weak because they are not impassioned by an unfailing and resistless will.
—Edward McKendree Bounds (1835–1913) American Methodist Clergyman, Author, Lawyer
Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Never say die.
—Common Proverb
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
Paralyze resistance with persistence.
—Woody Hayes (1913–87) American Sportsperson
All the performances of human art, at which we look with praise or wonder, are instances of the resistless force of perseverance.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
On the mountains of truth you can never climb in vain: either you will reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
If you stop struggling, then you stop life.
—Huey P. Newton (1942–89) American Political Activist
If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm.
—Frank Lane (1896–1981) American Sportsperson, Businessperson
If you wish success in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother and hope your guardian genius.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Men do not fail; they stop trying.
—Elihu Root (1845–1937) American Jurist, Statesman
Much rain wears the marble.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.
—George S. Patton (1885–1945) American Military Leader
Fate gave to man the courage of endurance.
—Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) German Composer, Musician
The great majority of men are bundles of beginnings.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Genius is often only the power of making continuous efforts. The line between failure and success is so fine that we scarcely know when we pass it—so fine that we are often on the line and do not know it. How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience, would have achieved success. As the tide goes clear out, so it comes clear in. In business sometimes prospects may seem darkest when really they are on the turn. A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success. There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no really insurmountable barrier save our own inherent weakness of purpose.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Hope is a vigorous principle; it is furnished with light and heat to advise and execute; it sets the head and heart to work, and animates a man to do his utmost. And thus, by perpetually pushing and assurance, it puts a difficulty out of countenance, and makes a seeming impossibility give way.
—Jeremy Collier (1650–1726) Anglican Church Historian, Clergyman
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
Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.
—African Proverb
Act with a determination not to be turned aside by thoughts of the past and fears of the future.
—Robert E. Lee (1807–70) Confederate General during American Civil War
I’m a little wounded, but I am not slain; I will lay me down to bleed a while. Then I’ll rise and fight again.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Everyone has his superstitions. One of mine has always been when I started to go anywhere, accomplished.
—Ulysses S. Grant (1822–85) American Civil War General, Head of State
It’s dogged as does it.
—Anthony Trollope (1815–82) English Novelist
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
Most ball games are lost, not won.
—Casey Stengel (1890–1975) American Sportsperson
He turns not back who is bound to a star.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Inventor, Architect
When you get into a tight place, and everything goes against you till it seems as if you could n’t hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that ‘s just the place and time that the tide ‘ll turn. Never trust to prayer without using every means in your power, and never use the means without trusting in prayer.
—Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–96) American Abolitionist, Author
The big shots are only the little shots who keep shooting.
—Christopher Morley (1890–1957) American Novelist, Essayist
One should act in consonance with the way of heaven and earth, which is enduring and eternal. The superior man perseveres long in his course, adapts to the times, but remains firm in his direction and correct in his goals.
—I Ching Ancient Chinese Divination Text
We conquer – not in any brilliant fashion – we conquer by continuing.
—George Matheson (1842–1906) Scottish Theologian, Preacher
The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Men who have attained things worth having in this world have worked while others idled, have persevered when others gave up in despair, have practiced early in life the valuable habits of self-denial, industry, and singleness of purpose. As a result, they enjoy in later life the success so often erroneously attributed to good luck.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.
—Montesquieu (1689–1755) French Political Philosopher, Jurist
In soloing—as in other activities—it is far easier to start something than it is to finish it.
—Amelia Earhart (1897–1937) American Aviator
Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.
—Newt Gingrich (b.1943) American Politician
Never give in — never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
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) Scottish Poet, Author
A high heart ought to bear calamities and not flee them, since in bearing them appears the grandeur of the mind and in fleeing them the cowardice of the heart.
—Pietro Aretino (1492–1556) Italian Poet, Dramatist, Satirist