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)

If you break anything down into small tasks, nothing is particularly difficult.John D. Rockefeller

John D.

Rockefeller (1839–1937) was an American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Standard Oil Company and monopolized the oil market.

He became the first American to possess assets exceeding one billion dollars, yet he used the majority of his wealth for philanthropic activities.

He teaches us that even great tasks can surely be accomplished if we break them into smaller parts and tackle them bit by bit.

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Genius is finite. Effort is infinite.Kiyoshi Nakamura

Genius is finite [Quote by Kiyoshi Nakamura]

Genius is finite. Effort is infinite. Kiyoshi Nakamura

Kiyoshi Nakamura (1913–1985) was a track and field coach, famous as the mentor of Toshihiko Seko and Wakiuri.

He said, “It is my mission to have my athletes bloom into full flower once a year,” and went on to cultivate one talented athlete after another.

There is no end to effort—truly words of weight.

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Once you’ve decided to do something, don’t postpone it with excuses like not being in the mood or wanting a distraction. Start at once—even if only superficially. Good ideas will come.Tolstoy

Listen in audio: 'Tolstoy's Famous Quotes' Episode 15

Once you’ve decided to do something, don’t put it off with excuses like not being in the mood or wanting a distraction. Start at once—even if only superficially. Good ideas will come. — Tolstoy

Watch on YouTube: “Once you’ve decided to do something, don’t postpone it with excuses like not being in the mood or wanting a distraction. Start at once—even if only superficially. Good ideas will come. —Tolstoy”

Tolstoy (1828–1910) was a Russian novelist and thinker.

Even though steady daily effort is necessary, we often find excuses to slack off—saying we’re tired today, not in the mood, and so on.

At such times, he teaches us that what matters is to just get started for now.

Once you begin, your initial mood often shifts, and you frequently find yourself getting into a good rhythm, don’t you?

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When I was young, I found that out of ten things I tried, nine didn’t work. So I worked ten times harder.Bernard Shaw

[Moving Quotes] A Collection of Quotes That Can Change Your Life in an Instant — Bernard Shaw II

When I was young, I found that out of ten things I tried, nine didn’t work. So I worked ten times harder. — Bernard Shaw

Watch on YouTube: “When I was young, I found that out of ten things I tried, nine didn’t work. So I worked ten times harder.” — Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) was an Irish man of letters, screenwriter, and playwright, and one of the founders of modern British drama.

He wrote as many as 53 plays over his lifetime and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925.

When trying to achieve something, you can’t always choose the correct method.

Even if you fail, it’s important to learn from it and rise again.

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Happiness is more often earned through effort than given.Saneatsu Mushanokōji

[Moving Quotes] A Collection of Life-Changing Sayings in an Instant — Saneatsu Mushanokōji 5

Happiness is more often earned through effort than given. Saneatsu Mushanokōji

Saneatsu Mushanokōji (1885–1976) was a Japanese novelist, poet, and playwright.

Happiness is sometimes given by others, and sometimes seized by oneself.

Both are mixed into life, but this saying—that the greater happiness is the kind you grasp through your own efforts—gives a jolt to that timid heart that finds itself hoping someone will bring happiness along.

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