Success Means Don't Quit ¹ | Home and Name Index and Subject Index

When things go wrong as they sometimes will
When the road we're trudging seems all uphill
When our funds are low but our debts are high
And we want to smile but have to sigh
When care is pressing us down a bit
Rest if we must but don't quit

Life is odd with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns
And many a failure turns about
When we might have won had we stuck it out
Don't give up though the pace seems slow 
We may succeed with another blow

Often a goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering plan
Often we have given up
When we might have captured the victor's cup
And we learned too late when the night came down
How close we were to the golden crown

Success is failure turned inside out 
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt 
And we can never tell how close we are 
It may be near when it seems afar 
So stick to the fight when we're hardest hit 
It's when things seem worst that we mustn't quit 

Note

¹  This piece of poetry was written many many moons ago.  While several have claimed its fame, the true author is unknown.  I have often used these words of encouragement to increase levels of self-confidence and self-esteem within others.  And, as my above title suggests, the interpretation of this poem tends to push us to persevere in our quest for victory, often in the face of seemingly failure and against nearly all odds.  In short, its message has inspired, motivated, and moved many.

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Success Means Don't Quit ¹ | Home and Name Index and Subject Index

Revised on Sunday, 07 March, 2010