What we accomplish in the marathon of life… it all comes down to grit. It’s not about being a genius. It’s about showing up, day after day, with passion and a stubborn refusal to quit.
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Meaning
This quote argues that raw talent is overrated. True, lasting achievement isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon powered by a powerful combo of enduring passion and relentless perseverance.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. The most successful people I know aren’t necessarily the smartest in the room. They’re the ones who are obsessed with a long-term goal. They have this deep, burning passion that fuels them. And then, they pair that with an almost irrational level of perseverance. When they get knocked down—and they will—they just get back up. That’s grit. It’s the engine for the long haul, not just a quick burst of effort. It’s what separates a fleeting idea from a legacy.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Life (320) |
| Topics | goals (48), grit (20), passion (22) |
| Literary Style | instructional (42), motivational (245) |
| Emotion / Mood | determined (116), encouraging (304) |
| Overall Quote Score | 82 (297) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from Angela Duckworth’s 2016 book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. It’s the central thesis of her life’s work, born from her research in the United States. You sometimes see similar sentiments about hard work, but this specific phrasing and the “grit” framework is uniquely hers.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Dr Angela Duckworth (58) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (58) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Angela Duckworth is a University of Pennsylvania psychology professor and MacArthur Fellow whose research focuses on grit, self-control, and achievement. She taught middle school before earning her PhD at Penn and later founded Character Lab to advance the science of character development. Her bestseller Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance has shaped thinking in education and performance science. She co-hosts No Stupid Questions on the Freakonomics network. If you’re browsing the Angela Duckworth book list, you’ll find practical, research-backed guidance for cultivating passion and perseverance.
| Official Website
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | What we accomplish in the marathon of life depends tremendously on our grit—our passion and perseverance for long-term goals |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2016; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-1501111105; Last edition: Scribner 2016; Number of pages: 352 |
| Where is it? | Introduction, page 8 (2016 Edition) |