All the time he's boxing, he's thinking. All the time he was thinking, I was hitting him.
Jack DempseyRead
When I was a young fellow I was knocked down plenty. I wanted to stay down, but I couldn't. I had to collect the two dollars for winning or go hungry. I had to get up. I was one of those hungry fighters. You could have hit me on the chin with a sledgehammer for five dollars. When you haven't eaten for two days you'll understand.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Persistence in the face of hardship is essential for survival and success.
In this quote, Jack Dempsey emphasizes the importance of resilience and determination. Despite facing significant challenges and the temptation to give up, he illustrates how necessity and hunger drove him to rise after being knocked down. It's a reflection on the struggles of life and the necessity of perseverance to achieve one’s goals, especially in difficult times.
Themes
PerseveranceResilienceDeterminationStruggleSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a motivational speech to encourage athletes to keep fighting despite setbacks.
More from Jack Dempsey
All quotes →Similar quotes
Only when a man will not do some things is he capable of doing great things.
MenciusRead
There's something really empowering about going, 'Hell, I can do this! I can do this all!' That's the wonderful thing about mothers, you can because you must, and you just DO.
Kate WinsletRead
A goal isn’t something you just arrive at and stop. You have to stay curious and hungry and foolish...
Mario AndrettiRead
Do everything you're told. Be a good cheerleader. And never, never say, 'It's not so bad.' Say 'You are almost there!' And say it a lot.
Madonna CicconeRead
You fail, and then what? Life goes on. It's only when you risk failure that you discover things.
Lupita Nyong'ORead
Pride is a personal commitment. It is an attitude which separates excellence from mediocrity.
William BlakeRead