James Whitcomb Riley

The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.

The ripest peach is highest on the tree.

The anger of a person who is strong, can always bide its time.

Continuous, unflagging effort, persistence and determination will win. Let not the man be discouraged who has these.

When you awaken some morning and hear that somebody or other has been discovered, you can put it down as a fact that he discovered himself years ago - since that time he has been toiling, working, and striving to make himself worthy of general discovery.

When I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck.

It is no use to grumble and complain; It's just as cheap and easy to rejoice; When God sorts out the weather and sends rain - Why, rain's my choice.