The big shots are only the little shots who keep shooting.
—Christopher Morley (1890–1957) American Novelist, Essayist
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 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
Persistence is to the character of man as carbon is to steel.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
Consider the postage stamp, my son. It secures success through its ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Resolve never to quit, never to give up, no matter what the situation.
—Jack Nicklaus (b.1940) American Sportsperson
How long should you try? Until.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
I seek the truth…it is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance that does harm.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Few things are impracticable in themselves; and it is for want of application, rather than of means, that men fail of success.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
It’s not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.
—John Wooden (1910–2010) American Sportsperson
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
Endurance is the crowning quality, and patience all the passion of great hearts.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
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
LIFE’S MIRROR
There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
There are souls that are pure and true,
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.
Give love, and love to your life will flow,
A strength in your utmost need,
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
Their faith in your word and deed.
Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind;
And honor will honor meet;
And a smile that is sweet will surely find
A smile that is just as sweet.
Give pity and sorrow to those who mourn,
You will gather in flowers again
The scattered seeds from your thoughts outborne
Though the sowing seemed but vain.
For life is the mirror of king and slave,
‘Tis just what we are and do;
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.
—Mary Ainge de Vere (Madeline S. Bridges) (1844–1920) American Poet, Author
All great masters are chiefly distinguished by the power of adding a second, a third, and perhaps a fourth step in a continuous line. Many a man had taken the first step. With every additional step you enhance immensely the value of you first.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
If someone takes your coat, give him your cloak as well; if he makes you go a mile with him, go with him two. Mathew
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.
—Nancie J. Carmody
If you get up one more time than you fall you will make it through.
—Chinese Proverb
No rock so hard but that a little wave may beat admission in a thousand years.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
The most interesting thing about a postage stamp is the persistence with which it sticks to its job.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth.
—Julie Andrews (b.1935) British Actress, Singer
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
When the going gets tough, the tough hang in there.
—Indian Proverb
Do not quit! Hundreds of times I have watched people throw in the towel at the one-yard line while someone else comes along and makes a fortune by just going that extra yard.
—E. Joseph Cossman
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
A day is a miniature eternity.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
One day, with life and heart, is more than time enough to find a world.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
The Extra Mile will have no traffic jams.
—Unknown
What this power is I cannot say; all I know is that it exists and it becomes available only when a man is in that state of mind in which he knows exactly what he wants and is fully determined not to quit until he finds it.
—Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922) Scottish-born American Inventor, Engineer, Academic
We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are.
—Tobias Wolff (b.1945) American Novelist, Editor, Journalist, Educator