Quotes on Effort: A curated selection of passionate messages left by great figures and famous people
To achieve our goals, to live better lives, and to become our ideal selves…
we are tested on our “effort” in many situations.
However, there are times when we grow tired of constantly striving, or when we can no longer find meaning in our efforts.
In this article, we’ve gathered quotes about “effort” from great figures and famous people.
Reading these quotes reminds us that the achievements of those we call geniuses were possible precisely because of their effort.
Take in these powerful messages and put them to use from here on out!
Quotes on Effort: A curated selection of passionate messages left by great figures and famous people (1–10)
The mental strength to endure—to dig in with “One more step!” the very moment you think “I can’t go on”—cultivates an unbeatable power to overcome anything.NEW!Taihō Kōki
In the world of competition, you either win or lose.
In sumo, that contest can be over in an instant.
In such moments, there are times when you feel it’s all over.
But through this famous quote, Taiho teaches us that what matters is what comes next.
If you can take just one more step when you think you can’t, if you can endure, the moment that leads to victory may arrive.
A strong heart that never gives up, no matter the circumstances, is the key to drawing victory closer.
It’s a quote to remember especially when you’re in a do-or-die, on-the-edge situation.
I will defeat geniuses through hard work.NEW!Kisenosato Yutaka
The reason these words are passed down as a famous quote is likely because he actually earned the rank of new Yokozuna through hard work.
In the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, where he challenged for the new Yokozuna, Kisenosato suffered an injury, yet he still pulled off a stunning come-from-behind championship.
These words are what he left in his junior high school graduation anthology.
He was a man of effort even back then.
His disciples have said that he was someone who never skipped practice no matter what.
He also said at a lecture at his alma mater that if you work hard, the way will open.
This quote is surely the best encouragement for anyone.
A professional never makes excuses, no matter what.NEW!Chiyonofuji Mitsugu
There may be many people who make excuses when they lose.
They don’t want to be blamed or disappoint others because of their defeat, so they’re tempted to pin the cause of the loss on something other than themselves.
But Chiyonofuji voiced a firm resolve that professionals are not allowed to do that.
By eliminating excuses—external conditions, health, judges’ decisions—he focused all his energy on action.
And when he lost, he accepted the facts and confronted his own shortcomings.
He called this mindset a philosophy of personal responsibility, and stated that it leads to true strength.
Sweat you shed never liesNEW!Chiyonofuji Mitsugu
When does sweat run down our bodies? You might break out in a sweat due to changes in temperature or from fear, but if we’re talking about a sumo wrestler’s sweat, it’s surely the sweat shed during training.
Sumo is a world of competition—matches are often decided in an instant.
To rise to that decisive moment and demonstrate their true worth, wrestlers must train not only their bodies but also their minds to the utmost.
Chiyonofuji’s famous quote seems to say that tireless effort becomes one’s confidence and can, in turn, become the certainty of victory.
Practice with a view to three years ahead. Be patient, thinking about five or ten years down the road.NEW!Taihō Kōki
Having a clear vision of the future is important in life.
By keeping the big picture in mind, you won’t be swayed by small failures, and you may come to see what you truly need.
From Taihō’s words as well, the message is not to just practice, but to practice what you personally need; and when times are tough, to endure by believing that your ideal self awaits beyond that hardship.
People tend to be overwhelmed by what’s right in front of them, but those who succeed are likely the ones who act with a view that extends years into the future.
Because there was a humiliating defeat, my determination to absolutely win next time grew stronger.NEW!Kitanoumi Toshimitsu
Yokozuna Daishi Wajima and Toshimitsu Kitanoumi, who built the “Wajima-Kitanoumi era” in the 1970s and captivated many sumo fans.
In 2015, Kitanoumi said the following in a conversation published in Shukan Shincho.
It was about “the most memorable bout for the two of us,” their match on the final day of the Nagoya tournament in 1974.
At the time, Kitanoumi, then an ozeki, lost in a decisive bout where a win would have promoted him to yokozuna.
His words reflect the belief he held as a strong yokozuna: turning the bitterness of defeat into fuel and transforming it into a relentless drive for the next victory.
The fence isn’t built by others; it’s built by yourself.NEW!Aristotle
These words point you toward the idea that the feeling of others keeping their distance might actually be something you’re creating yourself.
When you sense hostility or a wall from someone, it’s important to face your own heart; by shifting your perspective, that wall may dissolve.
It conveys an encouraging message that precisely when you’re troubled by walls, you should broaden your thinking flexibly and find solutions.
It also seems like guidance that can prompt self-reflection, facing your inner self, and serve as a catalyst for growth.
