The Quotation IndexThe trusted reference for quotations and the sources behind them
Tag Tag Effort
Diligence is the mother of good luck.
Benjamin Franklin Poor Richard’s Almanack · 1732-1758

Quotes

“God helps them that help themselves.”

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

“Hope of gain lessens pain.”

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

“Little strokes fell great oaks.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Way to Wealth, 1758 · Primary source

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt · Citizenship in a Republic, 1910 · Primary source

“The law of nature is, do the thing, and you shall have the power: but they who do not the thing have not the power.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Compensation, 1841 · Primary source

“Good luck is another name for tenacity of purpose.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Wealth, 1860 · Primary source

“All things are easy to industry, all things difficult to sloth.”

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

“No gains without pains.”

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

“Bond didn’t defend the practice. He simply maintained that the more effort and ingenuity you put into gambling, the more you took out.”

Ian Fleming · Casino Royale, 1953 · Primary source

“He who has put forth his total strength in fit actions has the richest return of wisdom.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · The American Scholar, 1837 · Primary source

“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.”

Helen Keller · The Story of My Life, 1903 · Primary source

“I have never felt that anything really mattered but the satisfaction of knowing that you stood for the things in which you believed, and had done the very best you could.”

Eleanor Roosevelt · My Day, 1935-1962 · Primary source

“Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.”

Thomas Jefferson · Letter to Thomas Jefferson Smith, 1825 · Primary source

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

Thomas Edison · 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

Industry 17 Diligence 14 Sloth 3 Perseverance 26 Preparation 12 Opportunity 14 Success 7 Self-reliance 48 Initiative 18 Providence 2 Responsibility 27 Hope 12 Reward 2 Hardship 2 Motivation 11 Sacrifice 10 Achievement 13 Hard work 6 Persistence 18 Incremental progress 1 Consistency 9 Work ethic 2 Courage 23 Criticism 9 Failure 11 Ingenuity 1 Skill 4 Gambling 3 Action 21 Experience 28 Wisdom 7 Practical knowledge 4 Capability 6 Practice 3 Tenacity 3 Purpose 30 Ambition 17 Work 4 Resilience 28 Obstacles 1 Integrity 19 Conviction 5 Personal responsibility 4 Moral courage 5 Willingness 1 Attitude 1 Personal conduct 2