"Few things are impossible to diligence and skill." — Samuel Johnson

All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.

Source: Ethics, part 5, conclusion (1677)

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.

Source: Orations, Plymouth address (1802)

The defects of Fortune must be supplied by industry.

Source: The Civil War, book 3 (1915 Everyman translation)

If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six hours sharpening my ax

Must is a hard nut to crack, but it has a sweet kernel.

Concentration is my motto - first honesty, then industry, then concentration

Samuel Johnson Quote