But instinct is something which transcends knowledge. We have, undoubtedly, certain finer fibers that enable us to perceive truths when logical deduction, or any other willful effort of the brain, is futile.
—Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) Serbian-American Electrical Engineer, Inventor
Wise to resolve, patient to perform.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.
—Arnold Palmer (b.1929) American Sportsperson
Winning is not everything, but the effort to win is.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
It is vain to do with more what can be done with less.
—William of Ockham (1288–1347) English Philosopher, Theologian
Fixedness of purpose is at the root of all successful efforts, whether in things worldly or spiritual, and without it man cannot be otherwise than wretched, and dependent upon others for that support which should be found within himself.
—James Allen (1864–1912) British Philosophical Writer
There is only one situation I can think of in which men and women make an effort to read better than they usually do. [It is] when they are in love and reading a love letter.
—Mortimer J. Adler (1902–2001) American Philosopher, Educator
The fact is, nothing comes; at least, nothing good. All has to be fetched.
—Charles Buxton (1823–71) British Politician, Writer
Concentration, Confidence, Competitive urge, Capacity for enjoyment.
—Arnold Palmer (b.1929) American Sportsperson
When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.
—Shunryu Suzuki (1904–71) Zen Buddhist Monk, Author
Slumps are like a soft bed. They’re easy to get into and hard to get out of.
—Johnny Bench (b.1947) American Sportsperson
Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight… When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
Contrary to what we usually believe … the best moments in our lives, are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times–although such experiences can also be enjoyable, if we have worked hard to attain them. The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.
—Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (b.1934) Hungarian-American Psychologist
He can safeguard his wealth who is industrious, careful, clever at managing the affairs and moderate in his mode of living.
—Buddhist Teaching
The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Football Coach
Avoid fragmentation: Find your focus and seek simplicity. Purposeful living calls for elegant efficiency and economy of effort—expanding the minimum time and energy necessary to achieve desired goals.
—Dan Millman (b.1946) American Children’s Books Writer, Sportsperson
Every effort under compulsion demands a sacrifice of energy. I never paid such a price.
—Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) Serbian-American Electrical Engineer, Inventor
If you will make the necessary effort you can develop any talent.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
I’ve got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.
—Larry Bird (b.1956) American Basketball Player
You know, the greatest epitaph in the country is here in Arizona. Its in Tombstone, Ariz. , and this epitaph says, Here lies Jack Williams. He done his damndest. I think that is the greatest epitaph a man could have. Whenever a man does the best he can, then that is all he can do; and that is what your President has been trying to do for the last 3 years for this country.
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.
—Arthur Brisbane (1864–1936) American Journalist, Editor
Let a man with perseverance abstain from doing evil deeds, like person who, not being blind, avoids the uneven roads.
—Buddhist Teaching
I have always tried to hide my efforts and wished my works to have a light joyousness of springtime which never lets anyone suspect the labors it has cost me.
—Henri Matisse (1869–1954) French Painter, Sculptor, Lithographer
God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into the nest.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–81) American Editor, Novelist
Just as a man blows a small fire into a flame, so a man of wisdom and discernment can make money even from a small investment.
—Buddhist Teaching
I’ve always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn’t have a chance to win.
—Arnold Palmer (b.1929) American Sportsperson
There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do.
—Lucille Ball (1911–89) American Actor, Comedian, Model
When you begin your transcendental training, focusing your best efforts, without attachment to outcomes, you will understand the peaceful warrior’s way.
—Dan Millman (b.1946) American Children’s Books Writer, Sportsperson
He that would have the fruit must first climb the tree.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
The real tragedy is the tragedy of the man who never in his life braces himself for his one supreme effort, who never stretches to his full capacity, never stands up to his full stature.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist, Playwright, Critic
If you desire to dig a well to reach water, your efforts are more fruitful if you dig one 100-foot-deep hole than if you dig ten holes each 10 feet deep.
—Dan Millman (b.1946) American Children’s Books Writer, Sportsperson
The preparations were elaborate and mammoth in scale, and Washington threw himself into the effort, demanding that not an hour be lost.
—David McCullough (b.1933) American Historian
You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however.
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Novelist, Aviator
Great works are done when one is not calculating and thinking.
—D. T. Suzuki (1870–1966) Japanese Buddhist Philosopher
The human condition is such that pain and effort are not just symptoms which can be removed without changing life itself; they are the modes in which life itself, together with the necessity to which it is bound, makes itself felt. For mortals, the “easy life of the gods” would be a lifeless life.
—Hannah Arendt (1906–75) German-American Philosopher, Political Theorist
We never do anything well till we cease to think about the manner of doing it.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Infatuated, half through conceit, half through love of my art, I achieve the impossible working as no one else ever works.
—Alexandre Dumas, pere (1802–1870) French Novelist, Playwright
Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.
—Vidal Sassoon (1928–2012) Anglo-American Hairstylist, Businessman
Very few people are capable of sustained effort, and that’s the reason why we have comparatively few outstanding successes.
—Roger McDonald (b.1941) Australian Novelist, Poet, Screenwriter, Writer
I would rather earn 1% off a 100 people’s efforts than 100% of my own efforts.
—John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) American Oil Magnate, Philanthropist
You’re neither right nor wrong because other people agree with you. You’re right because your facts are right and your reasoning is right—and that’s the only thing that makes you right. And if your facts and reasoning are right, you don’t have to worry about anybody else.
—Warren Buffett (b.1930) American Investor
What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself.
—Harvey Samuel Firestone (1868–1938) American Businessperson
A winner never stops trying.
—Tom Landry (1924–2000) American Sportsperson
Let not a man waste his day and night from more on less benefit. The more he wastes, the more his life meets with emptiness.
—Buddhist Teaching
Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it.
—Unknown
Push yourself again and again. Don’t give an inch until the final buzzer sounds.
—Larry Bird (b.1956) American Basketball Player
Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading newspapers is like trying to tell the time by watching the second hand of a clock.
—Ben Hecht (1894–1964) American Screenwriter, Playwright
I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn human actions, but to understand.
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher, Theologian
If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.
—Common Proverb
Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
When a man does not reckon the heat and cold more than the grass (does), he is sure to be rewarded with happiness in the long run.
—Buddhist Teaching
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
A hundred years of a person who is lazy and inactive is not worth one day of him who has a strong effort.
—Buddhist Teaching
The whole effort of a sincere man is to erect his personal impressions into laws.
—Remy de Gourmont (1858–1915) French Poet, Novelist, Critic
The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting in above-average effort.
—Colin Powell (b.1937) American Military Leader
Success is dependent on effort.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist