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] Carefully Selected Fiery Messages Left by Great Figures and Celebrities (101–110)

No matter what happens, let’s make sure we never say the word “painful.”Shinsaku Takasugi

[Japanese History HIPHOP] Shinsaku Takasugi ~HEY SHINSAKU~

何があっても、「つらい」という言葉だけは絶対に口にしないでおこう。— 高杉晋作

Watch “No matter what happens, let’s make sure we never say the word ‘painful.’ Shinsaku Takasugi” on YouTube

Shinsaku Takasugi was a samurai who was active at the end of the Edo period as a proponent of the Sonnō Jōi movement and is also known for founding groups like the Kiheitai.

His famous quote, “No matter what happens, let’s never say the word ‘painful’,” is a message that could only come from someone who lived through such tumultuous times.

When you’re striving toward an enormous goal, it’s natural to face hardships and suffering.

But once you put that into words, doesn’t it make the burden feel even heavier? It’s a quintessentially Japanese maxim that values endurance as a virtue and cherishes the power of words.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Even if my life is a losing battle, I want to fight until the very end.Vincent van Gogh

That’s a very powerful quote.

There probably aren’t many people who choose to fight a losing battle when they know they’ll lose.

No one likes losing, and working hard only to lose is painful.

But it seems Van Gogh wanted to live his life to the very end, even knowing it was a losing battle.

How about you? You never really know if it’s a losing battle until the very end.

Van Gogh wasn’t appreciated during his lifetime, but he became very famous after his death.

Perhaps that’s because he kept believing in himself and lived true to that belief until the end.

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If you ever hear a voice within you say, ‘You can’t paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.Vincent van Gogh

This is a quote that gives us courage when starting something new.

Everyone begins from a place of not being able to do it.

But if you avoid doing it just because you can’t, you’ll never be able to do it for the rest of your life.

If you want to take that path and master it, you have to start by trying.

By continuing, you’ll build confidence, and before you know it, that voice saying “I can’t” will fall silent.

Don’t lose to your own weakness—go challenge your dreams and goals.

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I always do what I can’t do yet, in order to learn how to do it.Vincent van Gogh

Here’s a great quote for anyone who wants to take on a challenge but feels unsure if they can do it.

Van Gogh’s works changed in style over the years, and as this quote suggests, he experimented and tried many different things.

Rather than feeling ashamed of what you can’t do, people who keep taking on new challenges broaden their perspective and tend to grow faster.

Along the way, you may discover something only you can do.

When you want to try but can’t quite take the first step, hold this quote close and take the plunge.

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Napoleon slept only three hours a night. There’s no reason I can’t accomplish what he could through effort.Hideyo Noguchi

These words express a strong resolve not to set limits on one’s effort.

Even great figures achieved success through extraordinary, sustained effort, and there is no reason we cannot do the same—this is the determination embedded here.

Of course, not everyone needs to push themselves on short sleep, but when you feel tempted to slack off, recalling this saying will naturally sharpen your focus.

Effort matters more than talent, and you can accumulate as much of it as you choose.

It’s a quote that gives you the power to go beyond your limits.

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[Quotes on Effort] Carefully Selected Fiery Messages Left by Great Figures and Celebrities (111–120)

Those who, upon seeing pleasure, would immediately seize it are no better than robbers or beasts. A person ought to labor first and only thereafter obtain enjoyment.Ninomiya Sontoku

Inspiring Quotes and Sayings of Sontoku Ninomiya (Kinjiro Ninomiya)

Those who, upon seeing pleasure, would immediately seize it are no better than robbers or beasts. A person ought to labor first and only thereafter obtain enjoyment. — Ninomiya Sontoku

Watch on YouTube: "Those who, upon seeing pleasure, would immediately seize it are no better than robbers or beasts. A person ought to labor first and only thereafter obtain enjoyment. — Ninomiya Sontoku"

Ninomiya Sontoku (1787–1856) was a thinker and agrarian policy-maker in the late Edo period.

He is known for leading policies to revitalize rural villages.

It suggests that if you put in effort, you will gain in proportion to that effort; but if your effort is only so-so, you will obtain only so-so results.

It’s a saying that makes you sit up straight.

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In conclusion

The words of great historical figures and renowned people who have achieved much show that everyone has their own view of “effort.” Whose words resonated with you? As you recall the quotes that left an impression, why not take this opportunity to deepen your thoughts on what effort means?