Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Victory belongs to the most persevering.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
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 Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Plodding wins the race.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
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
He turns not back who is bound to a star.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Architect
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
By perseverance the snail reached the Ark.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
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
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
It is more easy to forgive the weak who have injured us, than the powerful whom we have injured. That conduct will be continued by our fears which commenced in our resentment. He that has gone so far as to cut the claws of the lion will not feel himself quite secure until he has also drawn his teeth.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
The drop of rain maketh a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by oft falling.
—Hugh Latimer (c.1485–1555) English Reformation Martyr
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
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
To persevere, trusting in what hopes he has, is courage in a man. The coward despairs.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
There is but one philosophy and its name is fortitude! To bear is to conquer our fate.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
To struggle when hope is banished.
To live when life’s salt is gone!
To dwell in a dream that’s vanished –
To endure, and go calmly on.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
Fear, desire, hope, still push us on toward the future.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
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
It is easier to begin well than to finish well.
—Plautus (Titus Maccius Plautus) (c.250–184 BCE) Roman Comic Playwright
Without perseverance talent is a barren bed.
—Welsh Proverb
He that endureth to the end shall be saved.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
There remain times when one can only endure. One lives on, one doesn’t die, and the only thing that one can do, is to fill one’s mind and time as far as possible with the concerns of other people. It doesn’t bring immediate peace, but it brings the dawn nearer.
—A. C. Benson (1862–1925) English Essayist, Poet, Academic
Be of good cheer. Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Pray that success will not come any faster than you are able to endure it.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down.
—Charles F. Kettering (1876–1958) American Inventor, Entrepreneur, Businessperson
The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.
—Unknown
Life is a maze in which we take the wrong turning before we learn to walk.
—Cyril Connolly (1903–74) British Literary Critic, Writer
What cannot be altered must be borne, not blamed.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
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 College Football Coach
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