Skip to content

The principle of all successful effort is to try to do not…

“The principle of all successful effort is to try to do not what is absolutely the best, but what is easily within our power, and suited for our temperament and condition.” quote by John Ruskin
Download Open image
“The principle of all successful effort is to try to do not what is absolutely the best, but what is easily within our power, and suited for our temperament and condition.”

John Ruskin

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Effective effort matches one’s abilities and circumstances rather than chasing unattainable perfection.

In simple terms: Work within your strengths and limits.

Key Takeaway

Align goals with personal capacity.

Themes

effort realism self‑knowledge goal‑setting temperament

Mood

pragmatic inspirational

Type

self‑help philosophical

When to use this quote

  • career planning
  • skill development
  • personal projects
  • education

Key Concepts

psychology philosophy productivity

Questions to Reflect On

  • What tasks suit your current abilities?
  • How can you adjust goals realistically?
A Different Perspective

Over‑reaching can cause burnout despite good intentions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by John Ruskin

Explore all 696 John Ruskin quotes

More Effort quotes

Browse all 8,602 Effort quotes