Maggie's Farm

When I was in high school, our Headmaster never praised intelligence in his homilies on God and life in daily Chapel, but he did praise what he called "stick-to-it-iveness" and "going the extra mile" all the time. I thought "banal nostrums" at the time, but now I know better -

In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins - not through strength,  but through persistence.

Buddha

Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Calvin Coolidge

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.

Thomas Edison

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

Thomas Edison

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it.

W.C. Fields