CURATED COLLECTION

The Discipline of Hard Work

Talent is common — what's rare is the willingness to do the same hard thing, again, every day.

50 quotes found

“
The tree that wants to grow must send its roots deep into the earth.

—Sundiata KeitaKing

Medieval ERA • West Africa

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One must be hard and truthful and without self‑indulgence to be a writer.

—V.S. NaipaulNovelist

Post-War ERA • Caribbean

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Badness you can get easily, in quantity; the road is smooth and near. But goodness comes with effort.

—HesiodEpic Poet

Ancient World ERA • Southern Europe

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Forget talent. Forget genius. Just do the work.

—Octavia ButlerAuthor

Late Modern ERA • North America

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All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.

—Baruch SpinozaPhilosopher

Renaissance ERA • Western Europe

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Work is no disgrace: it is idleness which is a disgrace.

—HesiodEpic Poet

Ancient World ERA • Southern Europe

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From truth, resolve. From resolve, work. From work, fruit.

—Chandogya UpanishadAuthor & Thinker

Ancient World ERA • South Asia

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The beginning is the most important part of any work.

—PlatoPhilosopher

Ancient World ERA • Southern Europe

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With self‑discipline, all things are possible.

—Theodore RooseveltPresident & Naturalist

Early Modern ERA • North America

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A single well‑executed plan is worth a thousand unexamined ideas.

—KautilyaPhilosopher & Economist

Ancient World ERA • South Asia

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If you no hustle you no go eat.

—DavidoScholar & Thinker

Digital Age ERA • West Africa

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The day we think we have arrived, we are finished.

—Lee Kuan YewScholar & Thinker

Late Modern ERA • Southeast Asia

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You have to bloom where you are planted.

—Tiffany HaddishScholar & Thinker

Digital Age ERA • North America

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The fish rots from the head; quality must begin at the top.

—Zhang RuiminAuthor & Thinker

Late Modern ERA • East Asia

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.

—AristotlePhilosopher & Scientist

Ancient World ERA • Southern Europe

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With every passing year, the education you have becomes more valuable.

—Lee Kuan YewScholar & Thinker

Digital Age ERA • Southeast Asia

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All enterprises are dependent on finance. Hence, treasury is the most important.

—KautilyaPhilosopher & Economist

Ancient World ERA • South Asia

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The successful warrior is the average man, with laser‑like focus.

—Bruce LeeMartial Artist & Philosopher

Post-War ERA • East Asia

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A writer is a professional who doesn't give up.

—Susan SontagWriter & Critic

Late Modern ERA • North America

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I was not made for perfection. I was made to try and to be my best.

—Simone BilesAuthor & Thinker

Digital Age ERA • North America

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