Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
What a man wants to do he generally can do, if he wants to badly enough.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
I submit to you that if a man has not discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
Whether you are really right or not doesn’t matter, it’s the belief that counts.
—Robertson Davies (1913–95) Canada Journalist, Playwright, Academic, Critic, Novelist
By the grace of God, I’ll be that man.
—Dwight L. Moody (1837–99) Christian Religious Leader, Publisher
I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.
—Vincent van Gogh (1853–90) Dutch Painter
If you deny yourself commitment, what can you do with your life?
—Harvey Fierstein (b.1952) American Actor, Playwright, Civil Rights Activist
Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) American Military Leader
Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster.
—William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–91) American Military Leader, Businessperson, Educator
Great minds have purposes; others have wishes.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Author, Essayist, Biographer, Historian
Love me, please; I love you; I can bear to be your friend. So ask of me anything … I am not a tentative person. Whatever I do I give up my whole self to it.
—Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892–1950) American Poet, Playwright, Feminist
I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this Government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Our future and our fate lie in our wills more than in our hands, for our hands are but the instruments of our wills.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
Your powers are dead or dedicated. If they are dedicated, they are alive with God and tingle with surprising power. If they are saved up, taken care of for their own ends, they are dead.
—E. Stanley Jones (1884–1973) American Methodist Priest, Theologian
Put your heart, mind, intellect, and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.
—Sivananda Saraswati (1887–1963) Hindu Yogi, Spiritual Teacher
Winners are men who have dedicated their whole lives to winning.
—Woody Hayes (1913–87) American Sportsperson
The teacher is like the candle which lights others in consuming itself.
—Giovanni Ruffini
The height of your accomplishments will equal the depth of your convictions.
—William F. Scolavino
Morale is the greatest single factor in successful wars.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
Nothing earthly will make me give up my work in despair.
—David Livingstone (1813–73) Scottish Missionary, Explorer
In war there is no substitute for victory.
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) American Military Leader
Nothing is so common as unsuccessful men with talent. They lack only determination.
—Chuck Swindoll (b.1934) American Christian Pastor, Author, Educator, Radio Personality
Most of us serve our ideals by fits and starts. The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication.
—Cecil B. DeMille (1881–1959) American Film Producer, Film Director, Screenwriter, Actor
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 secret of living is to find a pivot, the pivot of a concept on which you can make your stand.
—Luigi Pirandello (1867–1936) Italian Dramatist, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Author
What one has, one ought to use; and whatever he does, he should do with all his might.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
You will not be carried to Heaven lying at ease upon a feather bed.
—Samuel Rutherford (1600–61) Scottish Presbyterian Theologian, Author
He turns not back who is bound to a star.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Inventor, Architect
He who walks in the middle of the road gets hit from both sides.
—George P. Shultz (b.1920) American Economist, Political leader, Businessperson, Academic
The dedicated life is the life worth living. You must give with your whole heart.
—Annie Dillard (b.1945) Essayist, Novelist, Poet, Naturalist, Mystic
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
The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in a period of moral crises, maintain their neutrality.
—Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) Italian Poet, Philosopher
Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.
—Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013) British Head of State
God doesn’t seek for golden vessels, and does not ask for silver ones, but He must have clean ones.
—Dwight L. Moody (1837–99) Christian Religious Leader, Publisher
Those indeed who attain any excellence commonly spend life in one pursuit, for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Better that we should die fighting than be outraged and dishonored. Better to die than to live in slavery.
—Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928) British Suffragette Leader
It is by losing himself in the objective, in inquiry, creation, and craft, that a man becomes something.
—Paul Goodman (1911–72) American Novelist, Essayist
I will place no value on anything I have or may possess except in relation to the kingdom of Christ.
—David Livingstone (1813–73) Scottish Missionary, Explorer
The worth of every conviction consists precisely in the steadfastness with which it is held.
—Jane Addams (1860–1935) American Social Activist, Political Activist, Author, Lecturer
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State