HAVE THE COURAGE TO LIVE. ANYONE CAN QUIT.
“The world will always give you the opportunity to quit, but only the world would call quitting an opportunity” (Clint Brown). In trying times, too many people quit trying. One of the most powerful success principles ever preached is: Never give up!
As an author, I have the privilege of signing numerous books. I like to include encouraging messages in each one before I sign my name. One of my most frequent encouragements is: Never give up! Joel Budd remarked, “It isn’t the final say so, unless you say so.”
Nobody and nothing can keep you down unless you decide not to rise again. H.E. Jansen said, “The man who wins may have been counted out several times, but he didn’t hear the referee.” Find a way to, not a way not to. A lazy man is always judged by what he doesn’t do. The choice to give up or go on is a defining moment in your life. You cannot turn back the clock. But you can wind it up again.
The most common trait I have found in all successful people is that they have conquered the temptation to give up.” One of the best ways to give your best a chance is to rise up when you’re knocked down.
Too many people stop faster than they start. Instead of stopping, follow this English proverb: “Don’t fall before you are pushed.” Margaret Thatcher understood the principle of not quitting when she advised, “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” David Zucker added, “Quit now, you’ll never make it. If you disregard this advice, you’ll be halfway there.”
“I can’t!” is the conclusion of fools. Listen to Clare Booth Luce: “There are no hopeless situations, there are only men who have grown hopeless about them.” Admiral Chester Nimitz remarked, “God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless.” Giving up is the ultimate tragedy. The famous boxer, Archie Moore, reflected, “If I don’t get off the mat, I’ll lose the fight.”
The choice is simple. You can either stand up and be counted, or lie down and be counted out. Defeat never comes to people until they admit it. Your success will be measured by your willingness to keep on trying.