Those who attain any excellence, commonly spend life in one pursuit; for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms.
Interpretation
Achieving excellence requires dedication to a singular pursuit, as it is rarely attained without hard work.
This quote by Samuel Johnson emphasizes that those who achieve excellence typically do so by focusing their efforts on a specific goal or pursuit. It suggests that success is not simply handed to individuals; instead, it demands perseverance, commitment, and the willingness to navigate challenges along the way, highlighting that true excellence is often the result of sustained effort rather than a series of easy wins.
In practice
In a motivational speech to a group of students about the importance of focus on their goals.
To be of no church is dangerous. Religion, of which the rewards are distant, and which is animated only by faith and hope, will glide by degrees out of the mind unless it be invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated calls to worship, and the salutary influence of example.
He that reads and grows no wiser seldom suspects his own deficiency, but complains of hard words and obscure sentences, and asks why books are written which cannot be understood.
To let friendship die away by negligence and silence is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of the weary pilgrimage.
Fly-fishing may be a very pleasant amusement; but angling or float fishing I can only compare to a stick and a string, with a worm at one end and a fool at the other.
When any anxiety or gloom of the mind takes hold of you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaining; but exert yourselves to hide it, and by endeavoring to hide it you drive it away.
A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other.
That feeling is so intoxicating, walking off the court holding the Larry O'Brien trophy. So I just want to do that again.
We can argue about major championships and whether Tiger will ever surpass Jack's 18 majors, but what can't be argued is this: Tiger Woods is the most dominant, most skilled player we've ever seen.
Acquire Riches by Industry and Frugality.
If you want to be an actor and you love acting, you can do it whether you're doing something else or not. You can be connected with community theater or make your own little movies. But if you want to be a movie star, you've got a tough road ahead of you.
My success, part of it certainly, is that I have focused in on a few things.
Entrepreneurs make fast decisions and move forward knowing that at best 70% of their decisions are going to be right. They move the ball forward every day. They are quick to spot their mistakes and correct.
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