Wonderful quotes and sayings

Quotes on Effort: A curated selection of passionate messages left by great figures and famous people

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

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 (71–80)

While you are alive, postpone nothing. Let your life be action, and action again.Goethe

Goethe Quotes Collection: Goethe’s Great Sayings

While you are alive, postpone nothing. Let your life be action, and action again. — Goethe

Watch “While you are alive, postpone nothing. Let your life be action, and action again. Goethe” on YouTube

There may be a significant difference, over the course of a lifetime, between what people who act on their ideas can achieve and what those who avoid action out of fear of risk can achieve.

By trying something, new doors of possibility can open.

Taking the first step—just trying—may be what matters most.

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Those born with natural talent tend to rely on it, neglect their training, and grow conceited. But those without innate talent strive every day to acquire skills however they can. Their mindset is completely different. That is what matters.Oda Nobunaga

[Warlord of the Sengoku] A Collection of Words and Famous Quotes to Engrave in the Heart of Oda Nobunaga

Those born with natural talent tend to rely on it, neglect their training, and grow conceited. But those without innate talent strive every day to acquire skills however they can. Their mindset is completely different. That is what matters. — Oda Nobunaga

Watch on YouTube: “Those born with natural talent tend to rely on it, neglect their training, and grow conceited. But those without innate talent strive every day to acquire skills however they can. Their mindset is completely different. That is what matters. — Oda Nobunaga.”

Whatever it is, spending day after day working hard while thinking you don’t have any talent can be pretty tough, right? You feel like, “If only I had talent, how much better things would be,” and you start to lose heart.

But these words give you courage on days like that.

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I’m not satisfied with my current shogi. I want to keep working hard without getting carried away by wins or discouraged by losses.Sota Fujii

Sota Fujii holds an astounding record of 29 consecutive wins.

Amid that achievement, he uttered this memorable quote.

Despite leaving such a legacy, he remains humble and strives for even greater heights.

When we succeed, we tend to stop putting in the effort and think, “This is good enough.” But that’s where growth stops.

Good situations don’t last very long.

There will always come a time when you fall, and a new wall will stand in your way.

It’s precisely when we succeed that we should remember these words, continue our tireless efforts, and keep polishing ourselves.

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Quotes on Effort: A curated selection of powerful messages left by great figures and notable people (81–90)

I’m sure there are views you can only see by becoming stronger, and I want to go far enough to see them.Sota Fujii

[Quotes That Spark Motivation] Sota Fujii’s Famous Quotes #shorts

I’m sure there are views you can only see by becoming stronger, and I want to go far enough to see them. Sota Fujii

Watch “I’m sure there are views you can only see by becoming stronger, and I want to go far enough to see them. Sota Fujii” on YouTube

Sota Fujii became a professional shogi player at the record-breaking age of 14 years and 2 months.

Even now, and surely at various milestones in the world of shogi, he has witnessed views that can only be seen from such rare vantage points.

In 2023, he achieved the remarkable feat of capturing all eight major titles.

Yet, it’s said that Fujii does not let himself be bound by records; he plays shogi with the stance of simply wanting to become genuinely stronger.

His famous quotes convey his feelings toward the game.

Perhaps there are places that only those who have mastered their field can reach.

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I think talent is more like potential—something that can be refined through effort.Sota Fujii

5 Selected Quotes of Sota Fujii [Collection of Quotes]

I think talent is more like potential—something that can be refined through effort. Sota Fujii

Watch “I think talent is more like potential—something that can be refined through effort. Sota Fujii” on YouTube

Sota Fujii, who has set a variety of records and is even called a “genius,” naturally makes us wonder whether his shogi prowess is an inborn talent.

As the famous saying goes about “talent” and “effort,” it seems that behind the Fujii fever lies an extraordinary amount of hard work.

There are times when we think, “I have neither talent nor luck,” and quickly give up on our dreams and goals.

But like Sota Fujii, if we refuse to give up and keep going, we may discover a special talent along the way, refine it, and truly shine.

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Starting something is easy, but continuing it is difficult. Making it successful is even more difficult.Umeko Tsuda

[Moving Quotes] A Collection of Quotes That Can Change Your Life in an Instant – Umeko Tsuda 1

Starting something is easy, but continuing it is difficult. Making it successful is even more difficult. — Umeko Tsuda

Watch “Starting something is easy, but continuing it is difficult. Making it successful is even more difficult. Umeko Tsuda” on YouTube

Umeko Tsuda (1864–1929) was a Japanese educator and a pioneer of women’s education in Japan.

In 1841, she studied abroad in the United States, and she contributed to women’s education while seeking to improve the status of women.

She teaches us that making an effort, and continuing that effort, is what is necessary to climb a high mountain.

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To climb a steep hill, you must first walk slowly.Shakespeare

Listen in audio: 15 episodes of 'Shakespeare's Famous Quotes'

To climb a steep hill, you must first walk slowly. — Shakespeare

Shakespeare (1564–1616) was a British playwright and poet.

No matter how long the road stretches out before you, if you proceed slowly and steadily, you will surely reach your final destination.

When you feel daunted by how far there is to go, you may even lose the desire to walk at all; but precisely at such times, if you resolve to go slowly, your spirits may lift and your motivation may return.

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