Quotes about Effort

There is no such thing as something for nothing.

Luck ... taps, once in a lifetime, at everybody's door, but if industry does not open it, luck goes away.

There is no substitute for talent. Industry and all the virtures are of no avail.

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.

The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today.

I have no expectation of making a hit every time I come to bat.

One of the greatest evils of the day among those outside of prison is their sense of futility. Young people say, What is the sense of our small effort? They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time; we can be responsible only for the one action of the present moment.

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men of talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

Victories that are cheap are cheap. Those only are worth having which come as the result of hard fighting.

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly; 'tis dearness only that gives everything its value.

If a Christian is not willing to rise early and work late, to expend greater effort in diligent study and faithful work, that person will not change a generation. Fatigue is the price of leadership. Mediocrity is the result of never getting tired.

I'm back in these regions of fumbling dark uncertain creation, but it's my one and only world, and I'll do the best I can.