The Quotation IndexThe trusted reference for quotations and the sources behind them
Tag Tag Achievement
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Ralph Waldo Emerson Circles · 1841

Quotes

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.”

Helen Keller · Optimism, 1903 · Primary source

“It is a paradoxical but profoundly true and important principle of life that the most likely way to reach a goal is to be aiming not at that goal itself but at some more ambitious goal behind it.”

Arnold J. Toynbee · A Study of History, 1934-1961 · Primary source

“A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.”

Ayn Rand · The Ayn Rand Lexicon: Objectivism from A to Z, 1986 · Primary source

“Let me tell you the secret that led me to my success. My only strength is my tenacity.”

Louis Pasteur · Oeuvres de Pasteur, 1922 · Primary source

“The value of the goal lies in the goal itself; and therefore the goal cannot be attained unless it is pursued for its own sake.”

Arnold J. Toynbee · A Study of History, 1934-1961 · Primary source

“Either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“No gains without pains.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“No man ever was glorious who was not laborious.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“’Tis a shame that your family is an honor to you! You ought to be an honor to your family.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

Thomas Edison · Professor gets Many Autographs: Edison, Other Great Men Respond, 1932 · Secondary source

“Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn’t be done.”

Amelia Earhart · No reliable source

“Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · No reliable source

Related Tags

Persistence 18 Possibility 6 Scepticism 2 Initiative 18 Ambition 17 Goals 2 Aspiration 12 Purpose 30 Competition 3 Creativity 6 Productive work 1 Intrinsic motivation 4 Legacy 2 Mortality 30 Authorship 1 Reputation 16 Effort 16 Sacrifice 10 Perseverance 26 Hard work 6 Diligence 14 Merit 1 Family 2 Personal responsibility 4 Discipline 18 Enthusiasm 2 Motivation 11 Commitment 15 Work 4 Optimism 9 Hope 12 Tenacity 3 Sustained effort 1 Scientific work 2