140 Perseverance Quotes to Motivate for Life's Toughest Times (2022)

Life gets tough, but if you know how to stay strong these perseverance quotes will speak to your fighting spirit.

Know someone who needs help staying strong? Share these quotes about perseverance with them today!

Perseverance is the relentless attempt to achieve success and accomplish your desired goals. You achieve not simply by trying, but by persevering.  This is characterized by three (3) traits, which are keys to unlocking the door to success:

1. Never giving up,

2. Not being limited by time constraints; and

3. Staying rooted in the confidence that success is inevitable if you continue to make a concerted effort to attain it.  

It’s easy to say, “I can do it”. But those who persevere don’t just say it – they do it and they live it. Below are 30 perseverance quotes to encourage you to not simply speak about it, but also to live everyday displaying your will to win.

If you need more motivation to ignite your fighting spirit, remember to also read our selection of inspirational never give up quotes.

Perseverance Never Quits

Instead, It Boldly Says, “I Can!”

1. “Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.” – Author Unknown

2. “Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” – Walter Elliot

3. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas Edison

4. “I am a slow walker, but I never walk back.” – Abraham Lincoln

5. “Let me tell you the secret that has led to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.” – Louis Pasteur 

6. “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.” – Vince Lombardi Jr.

7. “Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.” – Charles F. Kettering

8. “Some lean back. But those who lean forward are poised to cross the finish-line, first!” – T.F. Hodge, From Within I Rise: Spiritual Triumph Over Death and Conscious Encounters with “The Divine Presence”

9. “Though you may hear me holler, and you may see me cry– I’ll be dogged, sweet baby, if you gonna see me die.” – Langston Hughes

10. “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

Also, read these inspiring comeback quotes and sayings that will help you bounce back after a setback.

Perseverance quotes to inspire patience

Perseverance Is Best Friends with Patience

Remain calm through thick and thin; hold tightly to your beliefs, knowing time is NOT the enemy, but your closest ally.

11. “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” – John Quincy Adams

12. “If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again.”  – Flavia Weedn

13. “The difference between the difficult and the impossible is that the impossible takes a little longer time.” – Lady Aberdeen

14. “Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.” – A.A. Milne, “Winnie-the-Pooh”

15. “The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.” – Henry Ward Beecher

16. “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein

17. “The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground.” – Anonymous

18. “In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins- not through strength but by perseverance.” – H. Jackson Brown

19. “Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.” – Douglas MacArthur

20. “How long should you try? UNTIL!” – Jim Rohn

Also, check out these survival quotes that will motivate you to keep going.

Perseverance quotes to inspire you to achieve the impossible

A Fall Does Not Deter Perseverance

Failure does not demoralize it; instead, faith stimulates it.

21. “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.” – Randy Pausch, “The Last Lecture”

22. “Sometimes you must cross a bridge and other times you need to burn it. But, always keep building one and never lose your faith in life.” – Dodinsky

23. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

24. “Failure is often that early morning hour of darkness which precedes the dawning of the day of success.” – Leigh Mitchell Hodges

25. “A bend in the road is not the end of the road…Unless you fail to make the turn.” – Helen Keller

26. “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” – Margaret Thatcher
If you’re enjoying these quotes, make sure to check out our collection of Margaret Thatcher quotes about strong will and leadership.

27. “Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure.” – Benjamin Disraeli

28. “As I look back on my life, I realize that every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being redirected to something better.” – Dr. Steve Maraboli

29. “If I had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being most highly correlated with success, whatever the field, I would pick the trait of persistence. Determination. The will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get up off the floor saying, ‘here comes number seventy-one!’” – Richard M. Devos

Remember to also read these overcoming dark quotes for moving past hard times.

Perseverance quotes about overcoming obstacles

30. “History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.” – B.C. Forbes

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

32. “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” – Pele

33. “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” Maya Angelou

34. “Perseverance is the secret of all triumphs.” – Victor Hugo

35. “Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.” – Julie Andrews

36. “Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.” –  Samuel Johnson

37. “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ― Confucius, Confucius: The Analects

38. “Just because you fail once doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything.”
― Marilyn Monroe

39. “So, what does perseverance mean? It means that one possesses persistence, tenacity, determination, and staying power. This in turn means, when applied to a problem or issue that needs to be resolved, that the individual never gives up, never quits and never sees defeat until the problem, challenge, project, obstacle is resolved to a satisfactory level.” Byron Pulsifer
If you’re enjoying these quotes, make sure to read our collection of determination quotes to help you keep moving forward.

40. “Don’t give up in times of difficulty. Persevere on as there will be an end to these.” – Edward Dunedin

Quotes about perseverance to help you succeed

41. “When we see ourselves in a situation which must be endured and gone through, it is best to make up our minds to it, meet it with firmness, and accommodate everything to it in the best way practicable. This lessens the evil; while fretting and fuming only serves to increase your own torments.” – Thomas Jefferson

42. “To persevere in one’s duty and be silent, is the best answer to calumny.” – George Washington

If you’re enjoying these quotes, check out our George Washington quotes from America’s first president.

43. “Purity, patience and perseverance are the three essentials to success and above all love.” – Swami Vivekananda

44. “Continuous effort–not strength or intelligence–is the key to unlocking our potential.”- Winston Churchill

45. “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.”- Tommy Lasorda

46. “Energy and persistence conquer all things.”- Benjamin Franklin

47. “When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.” ~Author Unknown

48. “Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” ~Newt Gingrich

49. “People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don’t know when to quit. Most men succeed because they are determined to.” – George E. Allen 

50. “In case of doubt, push on just a little further and then keep on pushing.” – General George S Patton, Jr.

Don’t forget to also read these finish strong quotes to help you go the distance.

Inspirational perseverance quotes that will remind you to never give up

51. “Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” ― James A. Michener

52. “By perseverance the snail reached the ark.” ― Charles Spurgeon

53. “It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently.” ― Anthony Robbins

54. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”
― Dale Carnegie

55. “Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength.” ― Teddy Roosevelt

56. “Persistence. Perfection. Patience. Power. Prioritize your passion. It keeps you sane.” ― Criss Jami

57. “Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.” ― Mary Anne Radmacher

58. “Giving up is the only sure way to fail.” ― Gena Showalter

59. “Keep trying until you have no more chances left.” ― Aimee Carter

60. “He who can have patience can have what he will.” ― Benjamin Franklin

If you’re enjoying this article, be sure to also check out our collection of running quotes to motivate you to stay active.

Perseverance quotes to make you strong

61. “There always comes a time in life where you can either give up or step up.”― Graeme Rodaughan

62. “The man who is swimming against the stream knows the strength of it.”― Woodrow Wilson

63. “You can’t stop dreaming just because the night never seems to end.”―Curtis Tyrone Jones

64. “You can use the stumbling blocks to build your success.”― Lailah Gifty Akita

65. “The days without difficulty are the days you do not improve.”― Evan Winter

66. “With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.”― Thomas Fowell Buxton

67. “The hugest pile of challenges and hardships will not hold back a needle of the clock.”― Roy A. Ngansop

68. “They couldn’t catch you if you didn’t stop running.”― Dennis Lehane

69. “We all fall sometimes but it’s those that get back up and try again that make the difference.”― Gary Revel

70. “Perseverance is the mother who snuggles her children when they are impatient. Keep calm, everything will be solved. Keep persisting, go ahead.”― Alan Maiccon

71. “Perseverance is the act of true role models and heroes.”― Liza Wiemer

72. “It can take a lifetime to build something worthwhile. Those who stick with it, build a legacy without regrets.”― Trevor Carss
If you’re enjoying these quotes, you’ll love our collection of legacy quotes that will inspire you to start making your mark on the world today.

73. “A difficult life spent in hard-work, perseverance, and courage will pave the way for a life of true greatness!”― Avijeet Das

74. “If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart. So it has been with the best people who ever lived.”― Jeffrey R. Holland

75. “Don’t be ashamed by your mistakes, they only prove that you try hard and never give up.”― Riley Czarkowski

If you’re enjoying this article, you’ll also love our collection of comeback quotes that will help you bounce back.

Perseverance quotes to keep you going

76. “What’s done is done. What’s gone is gone. One of life’s lessons is always moving on. It’s okay to look back to see how far you’ve come but keep moving forward.” – Roy T. Bennett

77. “Perseverance is a virtue that cannot be understated.” – Bob Riley

78. “Failure is a bend in the road, not the end of the road. Learn from failure and keep moving forward.” – Roy T. Bennett

79. “When the going gets tough, put one foot in front of the other and just keep going. Don’t give up.”― Roy T. Bennett

80. “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” – Martin Luther King Jr

81. “If you really want to eat, keep climbing. The fruits are on the top of the tree. Stretch your hands and keep stretching them. Success is on the top, keep going.”― Israelmore Ayivor

82. “Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you.” – George Whitefield

83. “A bad day doesn’t cancel out a good life. Keep going.”― Richie Norton

84. “Everything that I’ve ever been able to accomplish in skating and in life has come out of adversity and perseverance.” – Scott Hamilton

85. “Today if anything is trying to hold you back, give no attention to it. Get your hopes up, get your faith up, look up, and get ready to rise up.”― Germany Kent

If you’re enjoying this article, make sure to also check out these military quotes to honor our heroes.

Perseverance quotes to remind you of your strength

86. “Believe in yourself and all that you are, know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” – Christian D Larson

87. “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” –Confucius

88. “Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein

89. “We will either find a way or make one.” – Hannibal

90. Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. – Thomas A. Edison

91. “The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places.” – Unknown

92. “Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears.” – Gillian Anderson

93. “Big shots are only little shots who keep shooting.” – Christopher Morley

94. “Keep the faith, don’t lose your perseverance and always trust your gut extinct.” – Paula Abdul

95. “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” – Billie Jean King

Don’t forget to also check out our collection of rejection quotes about life, love, and goals.

Perseverance quotes to inspire and make you strong

96. “Let me tell your something. I’m from Chicago. I don’t break.”― Barack Obama

97. “Dream after dream comes true—or rather is made true by persevering effort.”― L.M. Montgomery

98. “A large oak tree is just a little nut that refused to give up.”― David McGee

99. “Every obstacle is a hill, every hill is a training, every training makes you stronger.”― Maxime Lagacé

100. “Do you want to die, or do you want to die trying? Give up or give it a shot.”― Nick Trout

101. “Every storm runs out of rain.”― Maya Angelou

102. “To persevere with the will to understand in the face of obstacles is the heroism of consciousness.”― Nathaniel Branden

103. “Be persevering at the bottom, humble at the top.”― Maxime Lagacé

104. “Never give up just because you failed initially.”― Sunday Adelaja

105. “Seasons come and go. Your main goal should remain the same.” ― Cristina Imre

If you’re enjoying this article, make sure to also check out these inspirational challenge quotes about tough times in life, work and love.

Perseverance quotes to inspire you today

106. “Success belongs to those who refuse to be defeated by failure!”– Dr T.P.Chia

107. “Success doesn’t happen overnight. Keep an eye on the prize and don’t look back.” – Erin Andrews

108. “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” – Muhammad Ali

109. “How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience would have achieved success?”– Elbert Hubbard

110. “Your most valuable asset can be your willingness to persist longer than anyone else.” – Brian Tracy

111. “Even a snail will eventually reach its destination.” – Gail Tsukiyama

112. “Constant effort and frequent mistakes are the stepping stones to genius.” – Elbert Hubbard

113. “In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing.” – Vincent van Gogh

114. “Be like a postage stamp. Stick to one thing until you get there.” – Josh Billings

115. “We worked from early morning until dark in sun, grey weather or in rain.” – Lawren Harris

116. “We can do anything we want to do if we stick to it long enough.” – Helen Keller

117. “God helps those who persevere.” – The Koran

118. “Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.” – William Feather

119. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

120. “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”– Winston Churchill

Perseverance quotes by celebrities

121. “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it or work around it.” – Michael Jordan

122. “Anybody can quit. Only a real champion and a person of character and strength can keep going and refuse to give up.” – Sadie Robertson Huff

123. “Every day is a new day, and you’ll never be able to find happiness if you don’t move on.” – Carrie Underwood

124. “I think sometimes in life the biggest challenges end up being the best things that happen in your life.” – Tom Brady

125. “It’s not wanting to win that makes you a winner, it’s refusing to fail.” – Peyton Manning

126. “You always have to work to become a better singer, songwriter and performer.” – Luke Bryan

127. “I’ve had a lot of success, I’ve had failures, so I learn from the failure.” – Gordon Ramsay

128. “There’s always stuff to work on. You’re never there.” – Tiger Woods

129. “Battles are fought in our minds every day. When we begin to feel the battle is just too difficult and want to give up, we must choose to resist negative thoughts and be determined to rise above our problems. We must decide that we’re not going to quit. When we’re bombarded with doubts and fears, we must take a stand and say: “I’ll never give up! God’s on my side. He loves me, and He’s helping me! I’m going to make it!” – Joyce Meyer

130. “Moral of the story, don’t ever let anyone stop you from chasing your dreams.” – Luke Combs

More perseverance quotes and sayings

131. “If you fell down yesterday, stand up today.” – H.G. Wells

132. “We make way for the man who boldly pushes past us.” – Christian Nestell Bovee

133. “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” – Babe Ruth

134. “If it’s endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining.” – Marcus Aurelius

135. “The only guarantee for failure is to stop trying.” – John C. Maxwell

136. “When things go wrong, don’t go with them.” – Elvis Presley

137. “Never, never, never give up.” – Winston Churchill

138. “When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

139. “You can’t lose if you don’t quit.” – Stephen C. Storey

140. “Perseverance is another word for faith.” – Earl Nightingale

What do you think about these perseverance quotes?

Perseverance is your willpower in action – an internal driving force pushing you to get things done despite a lack of resources, countless obstacles, and time constraints.

It is built on an inner strength that leans on desire, self-confidence, courage, diligence, and faith to stay the course. You are encouraged to live a life that is rooted in perseverance.  Keep running the race believing that the prize is yours – patiently waiting for you to claim it.

Did you enjoy these perseverance quotes and sayings? What other quotes about perseverance and not giving up would you add to the list? Tell us in the comment section below.