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Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes. Therefore, give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions, and determine to pay the price for a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths. Remain steadfast... and one day you will build something that endures, something worthy of your potential.

Epictetus#77

Self improvementResilienceCharacterProductivityCommitment

About this quote

What does it mean?
Tentative effort yields tentative results; commit fully, build character through excellent actions, and endure trials to discover strengths and create lasting work.
In plain terms
Give your all, endure challenges, and you’ll build lasting value.
What can you take from it?
Full commitment and perseverance lead to enduring achievements.

Where it applies

  • career projects
  • personal goals

Putting it to work

  • set clear goals
  • embrace challenges

Questions to consider

  • What does “full commitment” look like for you?
  • How do you handle setbacks?

Another view

Even full effort may not guarantee success due to external factors.

More from Epictetus

  1. It is not the facts and events that upset man, but the view he takes of them.

    Permalink to quote #76
  2. Happiness is not in strength, wealth, power, or all three. It lies in ourself, in true freedom, conquest of ignoble fear, perfect self-government, in power of …

    Permalink to quote #75
  3. If thou rememberest that God standeth by to behold and visit all that thou doest; whether in the body or in the soul, thou surely wilt not err in any prayer or…

    Permalink to quote #74

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