60 Persistence Quotes

Find encouragement in these persistence quotes about determination, perseverance, and refusing to give up when life becomes difficult.

Being persistent means continuing to work toward your goals, even when you face setbacks or disappointment. Not every effort brings immediate success, but each step can teach us something valuable. These quotes remind us that patience, courage, and steady determination can make a difference.

As you read, think about a challenge you are facing. Sometimes the best thing you can do is take one more step and keep going.

Updated October 10, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.

Persistence Quotes About Never Giving Up

When challenges make you want to stop, these quotes remind you that another effort may be the one that makes a difference.

No matter how tired you are and how many blisters you have on your hands; everything can be achieved when you put your heart into what you do.
Eduardo Cholula, Enjoy Your Greatness

When your back is nearly broke, race is won by ONE MORE stroke
David V. Bush, Stick to It!

The man, who, day after day, month after month steadily plods along confidently believing he will succeed, who does finally accomplish his end.
W. M. S., Keep At It

In life develop an attitude of perseverance and persistence wherein a never give up attitude reigns supreme.
Catherine Pulsifer

persistence prevails when all else fails
found on a postcard

You try, stumble and take a risk. Despite scattered pieces, you must persist.
Catherine Pulsifer, Courage To Reframe

Keep grinding! Stay persistent! One day you gonna wake up and be exactly where you dreamed you would be.
Eric Thomas

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem worst, you must not quit.
Edgar A. Guest , Don't Quit

True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice.
St. Francis of Assisi

It takes courage and persistence to solve a problem. Each answer, each solution will give you more and more confidence.
Milton Katselas, Dreams into Action, Getting what you want!

Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.
Matt Bondi

When life places stones in your path, be the water. A persistent drop of water will wear away even the hardest stone.
Autumn Morning Star

Persistence Through Life’s Challenges

Difficult times can test our patience and determination. Find encouragement to keep moving forward, even when progress seems slow.

Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.
Denis Waitley

Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep going. Tough situations build strong people in the end.
Roy T. Bennett

Your persistence will come from being committed to your goals and your willingness to keep going when everyone else would give up.
Bob Oros, Persistence: Keep Going and Never Give Up

Moms are as relentless as the tides. They don't just drive us to practice, they drive us to greatness.
Steve Rushin

A river cuts through rock not because of its power but because of its persistence.
Jim Watkins

So even though the struggles you face don't give in and lose the pace. Let your determination show even if your progress is slow.
Catherine Pulsifer, Life Is Full Of Struggles

Persistence pays off no matter what. Quitting just closes everything shut
Catherine Pulsifer

If we stand our ground and exhibit persistence and determination we will make it through each storm of life that we face.
Catherine Pulsifer

All I'd needed was an understanding that persistence would enable me to reach my goals. Since then, I’d known that every little step I took brought me a bit closer to what I wanted.
Michal Stawicki, The Art of Persistence

Keep moving ahead, or your soul will die...no matter at all that your pace be slow so long as you upward, upward go
Wilhelmina Stitch , Keep Moving

The opposite of quitting is to persevere, just wait a little longer things will turn around soon!
Dr. Lucas D. Shallua

You'll observe that men and women who, 'tis said, have made their mark do not drop the chalk of effort at the first approach of dark
James Buckham, At It All The Time

Persistence and Determination Quotes

A determined attitude helps us continue when the way ahead is uncertain. These words encourage steady effort and the courage to try again.

There is genius and power in persistence. It conquers all opposers
Orison Swett Marden, Genius And Power

The brave heart wins the battle...he’ll not give up as conquered - he fights, and fights to win.
Eben E. Rexford, Keep Trying

Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.
Thomas Carlyle

So trudge along though none may know your worth or give you glory; to start out brisk don't win the race; the end will tell the story.
B. L. Austin, The End Will Tell

Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing that "cannot be done," and you’ll do it.
Edgar A. Guest

When your desire to quit outweighs your willingness to persist, you are ripe for failure!
Israelmore Ayivor, The Great Hand Book of Quotes

One of the most important ingredients for a successful life, business, or venture of any kind is to keep pushing forward even when the going gets tough.
Dave Zook

Commend while others are criticizing, persist while others are quitting.
William Arthur Ward

He gains the prize who will the most endure; who faces issues; he who never shirks
Unknown, Pluck Wins

The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.
James Whitcomb Riley

Pursues his course with aching head; plods on and works and does it!
David V. Bush

You will never know what you can accomplish until you really put in persistent effort and never giving up.
Lailah Gifty Akita

Persistence Quotes About Success

Success often takes time, effort, and the willingness to learn from setbacks. These quotes remind us that progress is made one step at a time.

If you strike a thorn or a rose. Keep a-goin'! If it hails or if it snows, Keep a-goin'!
Frank L. Stanton

If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it, you’ll get it!
Berton Braley

Success never resides in the world of weak wishes, but in the palace of purposeful plans and prayerful persistence.
William Arthur Ward , Up Words

Look back in history and you'll see Many people kept goin' even when they hit a tree They never gave up. They stuck to it, They persisted never throwing a fit.
Catherine Pulsifer, Look Back

We may find we bend and feel like we are not going to get through it, however, if we stand our ground and exhibit persistence and determination we will make it through.
Catherine Pulsifer

... while ambition may fuel our journey, it is persistence that is the vehicle that takes us there.
Tom Burns

Be prepared for disappointment and frustration. Be persistent and bounce back even more determined to succeed.
Paul Clitheroe

With determination, a bit of imagination and enthusiasm you can go further than the smartest person.
Catherine Pulsifer

Persistence is to the character of man as carbon is to steel.
Napoleon Hill

It's been said that most people give up just a few feet from their treasure. Nothing will take the place of persistence.
Ron White

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do.
Robyn Davidson

Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.
Dale Carnegie

Persistence, Courage, and Personal Growth

Whether you are working toward a goal or facing a new beginning, persistence can help you discover what you are capable of doing.

Not everyone is given the same opportunities in life, but with persistence, courage, and faith you can begin to create those opportunities that are needed to fulfill your definition of success ...
Kyle Wilson, Don't Quit: Stories of Persistence, Courage and Faith

Never underestimate the hidden power of one very determined person. There is nothing more powerful than determination and persistence.
Ziad K. Abdelnour, Economic Warfare

We have endurance and determination all within ourselves, it's time to put them to good use.
Julie Hebert, Stop Wishing

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life has a way of testing our resolve to see just how badly we really want something.
Adrian Shepherd

And, if possible, it’s nice to have a mentor—someone further down the path than you are .... who can remind you that your persistence will pay off.
Jordon Rosenfeld, A Writer's Guide To Persistence

When you set your goals, make a commitment to yourself, go after them no matter what.
Kate Summers

To change one’s life: 1. Start immediately. 2. Do it flamboyantly. 3. No exceptions.
William James

Two steps forward, one step back -determination, and persistence never lack
Catherine Pulsifer

To shine and outshine the shining stars, to take your abilities to the greatest height, to sit on top of the world, you must fortify yourself with persistence, the determination and willingness to stay in the same direction over a long period of time whatever the cost might be.
Ogwo David Emenike, You Are a Star

Butterflies bend with the wind, it's true. Still they get where they want to go. They arrive by persistence through their own insistence...
Author Unknown, Legend of the Butterfly

The seed of sorrow we often sow, which grows to be a dwarfish plant; To weed and reap a successful row, we must not say I can't.
J.J. Thorne

A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success.
Elbert Hubbard

Conclusion

Persistence does not mean that every day will be easy or that every plan will work out as we expect. It means we are willing to learn, make adjustments, and continue when something matters to us. Even small steps can bring us closer to where we want to be.

When you feel discouraged, remember how far you have already come. Give yourself credit for your efforts, and do not let one difficult day decide what tomorrow may bring. Keep believing, keep trying, and take the next step.

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