Wonderful quotes and sayings

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

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

Last updated:2026/3/12

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 famous people (1–10)

“Even if you can’t do it, it can’t be helped” is something to think after it’s over; if you think that along the way, you’ll never achieve it.Ichiro

Ichiro: A Collection of Quotes That Give You Courage

“‘Even if you can’t do it, it can’t be helped’ is something to think after it’s over; if you think that along the way, you’ll never achieve it.” — Ichiro

Watch on YouTube: “’Even if you can’t do it, it can’t be helped’ is something to think after it’s over; if you think that along the way, you’ll never achieve it. — Ichiro”

Ichiro, who has set countless great records in both Japanese and American professional baseball through relentless effort.

When you work hard toward something on your own, the thought often crosses your mind—can I really do this?—and you may even think about quitting.

But these are valuable words that teach us it’s important not to resign ourselves to “it can’t be helped if I fail,” but to face things with the determination that “I will do this no matter what.”

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Hard, painful efforts don’t bear fruit, but when the person is actually enjoying themselves—even if others just say, “You’re working hard”—those efforts do bear fruit.Miyazon

"Effort" Miyazon Quotes

Hard, painful efforts don’t bear fruit, but when the person is actually enjoying themselves—even if others just say, “You’re working hard”—those efforts do bear fruit. — Miyazon

Watch on YouTube: “Hard, painful efforts don’t bear fruit, but when the person is actually enjoying themselves—even if others just say, ‘You’re working hard’—those efforts do bear fruit. Miyazon”

Miyazon is a comedian who has appeared on numerous shows, including Itte Q! to the End of the World.

In addition to his outstanding musical talent—such as being able to compose songs quickly and play a piece right after hearing it once—he also takes on various challenges thanks to his high physical abilities.

One of his famous quotes is, “Hard, painful effort doesn’t bear fruit.

But when people say you’re making an effort and you yourself are enjoying it, that’s when it bears fruit.” It’s true that things we do with enjoyment tend to yield results and stick in our minds more than things we do while suffering.

Precisely because Miyazon has gone through many hardships and become a beloved figure, these words reflect the way he has learned to approach effort and how to engage with it.

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Effort is always rewarded. If there is effort that isn’t rewarded, then it cannot yet be called effort.Sadaharu Oh

A collection of Sadaharu Oh’s finest quotes! The world home run king’s moving lessons from a life in baseball.

Effort is always rewarded. If there is effort that isn’t rewarded, then it cannot yet be called effort. — Sadaharu Oh

Watch on YouTube: “Effort is always rewarded. If there is effort that isn’t rewarded, then it cannot yet be called effort.” — Sadaharu Oh

The words of Sadaharu Oh, a man of relentless effort, carry absolute weight.

Even if you think you’ve worked hard, if it doesn’t lead to results, it means the effort wasn’t enough.

Whether in work or any field, achieving something requires dedication beyond what you can imagine.

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People who see their efforts as “effort” are generally mistaken.Sanma Akashiya

[Sanma Akashiya] People who believe effort will be rewarded #quote #collectionofquotes #life

People who regard their efforts as “effort” are generally mistaken. — Sanma Akashiya

Watch “People who see their efforts as ‘effort’ are generally mistaken. Akashiya Sanma” on YouTube

Known as the “Comedy Monster,” Sanma Akashiya has been making audiences laugh for many years on countless shows.

While his playful persona stands out, he has also left us with profound quotes, such as, “People who think of effort as effort are generally mistaken.” Sanma believes that those who say things like “I worked this hard and yet…” and expect something in return are bound to fail.

He may be suggesting that it’s important not to view effort as a burden, but to see it positively—as a fun way to improve yourself.

We all tend to lament when our efforts don’t pay off, but try remembering these words at times like that.

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If you can’t even make the effort to study, you’ll fail at everything.Kazlaser

[Quote] Kazlaser: "If you can't even put in the effort to study." #Quote #Quotes #Life #Inspiring #Kazlaser

If you can’t even make the effort to study, you’ll fail at everything. — Kazlaser

Watch “If you can’t even make the effort to study, you’ll fail at everything. Kazlaser” on YouTube

Kazlaser of the comedy duo Maple Chogokin, who is also very active on quiz shows, is known for his intellectual side.

One of his famous quotes is: “If you can’t even make the effort to study, you’ll fail at everything.” For those who struggle with studying, this might be a bit of a painful truth.

There may be things you can do without pushing yourself to study, but when you put effort into studying, your knowledge and learning grow, and so do the things you can do.

If you take your primary role as a student—studying—seriously, the chances increase that you’ll be able to overcome the obstacles you face when you enter society, using what you’ve learned up to that point.

It’s a message from Kazlaser that, to live your life well, you should make the efforts you’re supposed to make.

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Do not neglect your daily preparation so you won’t miss opportunities.Yuto Nagatomo

Yuto Nagatomo's quote collection: 'Words that move you forward'

Do not neglect your daily preparation so you won’t miss opportunities. — Yuto Nagatomo

Watch “Do not neglect your daily preparation so you won’t miss opportunities. Yuto Nagatomo” on YouTube

Yuto Nagatomo, a professional soccer player who also shines as a member of the Japan national team, drew attention with his exclamation, “Bravo!” But he has also shared a deeper message: “Never neglect daily effort so you don’t miss your chance.” You never know where opportunities lie.

That’s precisely why it’s important to keep putting in the work every day, so that whenever an opportunity comes around, you can immediately raise your hand and say, “All right!” Nagatomo himself is someone who has put in a great deal of effort, which is likely why he holds these beliefs.

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An athlete who touts their practice by saying “I’m working hard” cannot be called first-rate.Shigeo Nagashima

It can’t be called first-rate [Shigeo Nagashima’s quote]

An athlete who boasts about their training by saying, “I’m working hard,” cannot be called first-rate. — Shigeo Nagashima

Watch on YouTube: “An athlete who touts their practice by saying ‘I’m working hard’ cannot be called first-rate. — Shigeo Nagashima.”

These are the words of Shigeo Nagashima, who was a legendary home run hitter during his playing days and later excelled as a manager.

In any field, top-tier people put in the effort.

He teaches us that effort isn’t a selling point—it’s a given.

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