If I were asked to give what I consider the single most useful bit of advice for all humanity it would be this: Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it comes, hold you head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, “I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.”
—Ask Ann Landers (1918–2002) American Advice Columnist
The man who does more than he is paid for will soon be paid for more than he does.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.
—Marie Curie (1867–1934) Polish-born French Physicist, Chemist
The miracle, or the power, that elevates the few is to be found in their industry, application, and perseverance under the promptings of a brave, determined spirit.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American 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
A day is a miniature eternity.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Your persistence is your measure of faith in yourself.
—Unknown
It helps, I think, to consider ourselves on a very long journey: the main thing is to keep to the faith, to endure, to help each other when we stumble or tire, to weep and press on.
—M. C. Richards (1916–99) American Poet, Potter, Writer
When you put your hand to the plow, you can’t put it down until you get to the end of the row.
—Alice Paul (1885–1977) American Suffragist, Feminist
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
A day is a span of time no one is wealthy enough to waste.
—Unknown
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
Every great work, every great accomplishment, has been brought into manifestation through holding to the vision, and often just before the big achievement, comes apparent failure and discouragement.
—Florence Scovel Shinn (1871–1940) American Illustrator, Spiritual Writer
Paralyze resistance with persistence.
—Woody Hayes (1913–87) American Sportsperson
One day, with life and heart, is more than time enough to find a world.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
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
I am not concerned that you have fallen—I am concerned that you arise.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Perseverance, self-reliance, energetic effort, are doubly strengthened when your rise to battle again.
—Indian Proverb
Before success comes in any man’s life, he is sure to meet with much temporary defeat, and, perhaps, some failure. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and most logical thing to do is to quit. That is exactly what the majority of men do. More than five hundred of the most successful men this country has ever known told the author their greatest came just one step *beyond* the point at which defeat had overtaken them.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
The longest day is soon ended.
—Pliny the Younger (c.61–c.112 CE) Roman Senator, Writer
The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Perseverance is more prevailing than violence; and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
If you get up one more time than you fall you will make it through.
—Chinese Proverb
Resolve never to quit, never to give up, no matter what the situation.
—Jack Nicklaus (b.1940) American Sportsperson
The fall of dropping water wears away the Stone.
—Lucretius (c.99–55 BCE) Roman Epicurean Poet, Philosopher
Stars are good too. I wish I could get some to put in my hair. But I suppose I never can. You would be surprised to find how far off they are, for they do not look it. When they first showed last night I tried to knock some down with a pole, but it didn’t reach, which astonished me. Then I tried clods till I was all tired out, but I never got one. I did make some close shots, for I saw the black blot of the clod sail right into thee midst of the golden clusters forty or fifty times, just barely missing them, and if I could’ve held out a little longer, maybe I could’ve got one.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
The person who wins may have been counted out several times, but didn’t hear the referee.
—Indian Proverb
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
Here is the simple but powerful rule… always give people more than they expect to get.
—Nelson Boswell