Quotes about Effort

She would not have put herself out so much to say so little.

Will-power, he saw, was not a thing one could suddenly decree oneself to possess. It must be built up imperceptibly and laboriously out of a succession of small efforts to meet definite objects, out of the facing of daily difficulties instead of cleverly eluding them, or shifting their burden on others.

he understood that her courage and initiative were all for others, and that she had none for herself. It was evident that the effort of speaking had been much greater than her studied composure betrayed, and that at his first word of reassurance she had dropped back into the usual, as a too-adventurous child takes refuge in its mother's arms.

A man can only do what he can do. But if he does that each day he can sleep at night and do it again the next day.

A bad book is as much of a labor to write as a good one; it comes as sincerely from the author's soul.

People who pity themselves think, 'Why would I try to do anything? I'll just fail.'

Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains are shallow.

Surely love is both work and wages.

I]f thou loiter when thou shouldst labour, thou wilt lose the crown. O fall to work then speedily and seriously, and bless God that thou hast yet time to do it; and though that which is past cannot be recalled, yet redeem the time now by doubling thy diligence (260).

Are you not in a race; and is not the prize the crown of glory; and should you then sit still or take your ease? (281)

Brethren, experience will teach you that men are not made learned or wise without hard study, unwearied labors, and experience.

God does not need to provide any resources for what you are not doing.