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

A professional never makes excuses, no matter what.Chiyonofuji Mitsugu

[Chiyonofuji’s Resolve] “Collect the returns on your effort three years later”: 100 selections of a pro’s no-excuses philosophy for overcoming weaknesses [Famous Quotes of Great Figures]

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.

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Sweat you shed never liesChiyonofuji Mitsugu

Chiyonofuji’s famous quote: “The sweat you shed never lies.” #GreatFigure #Yokozuna #shorts #SumoWorld #All-TimeRecordHolder #Sumo #58th #Rikishi #Chiyonofuji #Quote

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.

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Practice with a view to three years ahead. Be patient, thinking about five or ten years down the road.Taihō Kōki

Yokozuna Taiho’s famous quote: Unraveling the essence of the wrestler’s spirit!

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.

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Because there was a humiliating defeat, my determination to absolutely win next time grew stronger.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.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.

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To become the best in the world, you need world-class effort.Keisuke Honda

Career and Quotes of Keisuke Honda, Japan National Soccer Team

Everyone strives to achieve their dreams.

But the greater the goal you pursue, the more the quality of your effort will be tested.

It teaches us that unless we go beyond the kind of effort anyone can make, we cannot rise above others.

You don’t need to worry about having fallen. What matters is how you get back up from there.Abraham Lincoln

20 Episodes of 'Lincoln’s Famous Quotes' to Listen to in Audio

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the 16th president of the United States, is regarded as one of the “greatest presidents” for asserting the foundations of democracy and for achievements such as the emancipation of slaves in the American South.

We tend to brood over failures, but what matters is how we rise after them.

It’s important to keep moving forward without looking back and to persevere.