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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: 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 celebrities (131–140)

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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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?