--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes when we read the words of those…" description: "\"Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/amy-carmichael-3237_accomplishment_sometimes-when-we-read-the-words-of-thos_1097970.png" --- # Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been… ![“Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step, by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories, by faithfulness in very little things. They…” quote by Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/amy-carmichael-3237_accomplishment_sometimes-when-we-read-the-words-of-thos_1097970.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/amy-carmichael-3237_accomplishment_sometimes-when-we-read-the-words-of-thos_1097970.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/amy-carmichael-3237_accomplishment_sometimes-when-we-read-the-words-of-thos_1097970.png) > “Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step, by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories, by faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph, no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment.” [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Great achievements arise from countless tiny, disciplined actions and inner victories, not from sudden breakthroughs; progress is built step by step. **In simple terms:** Small, steady actions build greatness. Key Takeaway Focus on tiny, consistent efforts. Themes perseverance faith growth Mood hopeful inspirational Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - daily work - personal development - spiritual practice - long-term projects Key Concepts incremental progress self-discipline spiritual maturity Questions to Reflect On - What tiny habit could you start today? - How do you balance patience with ambition? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on small steps may overlook the need for bold, decisive actions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment/) [Accomplishment Small](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment-small-581497/) [Bits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bits/) [Conqueror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conqueror/) [Conquerors Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquerors-feel-2871856/) [Denial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/denial/) [Despondent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despondent/) [Faithfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithfulness/) [Faithfulness Little](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithfulness-little-2505364/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Inward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inward/) [Inward Victories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inward-victories-2871855/) [Little bit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-bit/) [Little things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-things/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Maturity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maturity/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Small steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-steps/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Spiritual maturity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-maturity/) [Step By Step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/step-by-step/) [Steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steps/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taken/) [Triumph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triumph/) [Victories Faithfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victories-faithfulness-2871854/) [Victory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victory/) ## Related quotes > [A little thing is a little thing, but faithfulness in little things is a great thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hudson-taylor/a-little-thing-is-a-little-thing-but-faithfulness-in-little-things-is/) [Hudson Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hudson-taylor/) > [There is something very intriguing about, for example, the sense of accomplishment that a small child has, which you might be able to reduce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-gay/there-is-something-very-intriguing-about-for-example-the-sense-of/) [Peter Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-gay/) > [“...Every giant accomplishment is made of very small steps... and to take them one at a time like this is not weak, but precise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-guise/every-giant-accomplishment-is-made-of-very-small-steps-and-to-take/) [Stephen Guise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-guise/) > [Faithfulness in little things is a big thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-john-chrysostom/faithfulness-in-little-things-is-a-big-thing/) [Saint John Chrysostom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-john-chrysostom/) > [You've been complaining, you've been depressed, you've been despondent. But take off those garments of heaviness and put back on your garments of praise.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-white/you-ve-been-complaining-you-ve-been-depressed-you-ve-been-despondent/) [Paula White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-white/) > [Nobody ever grew despondent looking for trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kin-hubbard/nobody-ever-grew-despondent-looking-for-trouble/) [Kin Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kin-hubbard/) > [Do not be despondent when fighting against the incorporeal enemy, but even in the midst of your afflictions and oppression praise the Lord, Who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-kronstadt/do-not-be-despondent-when-fighting-against-the-incorporeal-enemy-but/) [John of Kronstadt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-kronstadt/) > [If Im diagnosed with cancer I might become despondent, but someone young might not, and they might need connections with somebody outside their circle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-van-sant/if-im-diagnosed-with-cancer-i-might-become-despondent-but-someone/) [Gus Van Sant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-van-sant/) > [“Mere knowledge of human psychology would in itself infallibly make us despondent if we were not cheered and kept alert by the satisfaction of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mann/mere-knowledge-of-human-psychology-would-in-itself-infallibly-make-us/) [Thomas Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mann/) > [I see no point in being despondent. We might as well enjoy ourselves during our brief tenure of this life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/i-see-no-point-in-being-despondent-we-might-as-well-enjoy-ourselves/) [Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/) > [Many flatter themselves and consider themselves to be good, humble, and meek, but they will discover the contrary under temptation. Do not not become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tikhon-of-zadonsk/many-flatter-themselves-and-consider-themselves-to-be-good-humble-and/) [Tikhon of Zadonsk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tikhon-of-zadonsk/) > [When we are weakest and most despondent, Jesus is most considerate. When there is a break in our progress or we have a spell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/when-we-are-weakest-and-most-despondent-jesus-is-most-considerate/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [“wasn’t white. I felt utterly despondent and ready to give up. DI Fisher: But you didn’t give up, did you? CMB: No. No, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-hayes/wasn-t-white-i-felt-utterly-despondent-and-ready-to-give-up-di-fisher/) [Samantha Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-hayes/) > [What I am trying to teach is that when we keep the temple covenants we have made and when we live righteously in order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-scott/what-i-am-trying-to-teach-is-that-when-we-keep-the-temple-covenants/) [Richard G. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-scott/) > [We should never become despondent because the weather is bad, nor should we turn triumphalist because the sun shines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thabo-mbeki/we-should-never-become-despondent-because-the-weather-is-bad-nor/) [Thabo Mbeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thabo-mbeki/) ## More by Amy Carmichael > [Even though we must walk in the land of fear, there is no need to fear. The power of His resurrection comes before the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/even-though-we-must-walk-in-the-land-of-fear-there-is-no-need-to-fear/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/if-a-sudden-jar-can-cause-me-to-speak-an-impatient-unloving-word-then/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [He hath never failed thee yet. Never will His love forget. O fret not thyself nor let Thy heart be troubled, Neither let it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/he-hath-never-failed-thee-yet-never-will-his-love-forget-o-fret-not/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [The mere telling of how a need was met is often like telling of a need, which is asking crookedly instead of straight out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/the-mere-telling-of-how-a-need-was-met-is-often-like-telling-of-a/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [“The vows of God are on me. I may not stay to play with shadows or pluck earthly flowers till I my work have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/the-vows-of-god-are-on-me-i-may-not-stay-to-play-with-shadows-or/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [Now you are deep in what seems to me a peculiarly selfless service. The spiritual training of children must be that. You work for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/now-you-are-deep-in-what-seems-to-me-a-peculiarly-selfless-service/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [You can always give without loving, but you can never love without giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/you-can-always-give-without-loving-but-you-can-never-love-without/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [All life's training is just exactly what is needed for the true Life-work, still out of view but far away from none of us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/all-life-s-training-is-just-exactly-what-is-needed-for-the-true-life/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [ When I can see my face in it \[the liquid gold in the crucible\] then it is pure. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/when-i-can-see-my-face-in-it-the-liquid-gold-in-the-crucible-then-it/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [Ours should be the love that asks not 'how little?' but, 'how much?' The love that delights to pour out everything upon the feet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/ours-should-be-the-love-that-asks-not-how-little-but-how-much-the/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [It is more important that you should know about the reverses than about the successes of the war. We shall have all eternity to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/it-is-more-important-that-you-should-know-about-the-reverses-than/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [“If we were less of what seems like ease in our lives they would tell more for Christ and souls...We profess to be strangers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/if-we-were-less-of-what-seems-like-ease-in-our-lives-they-would-tell/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [“Sometimes in Dohnavur we, who dearly love the little children about us (and the older ones too), have looked up from some engrossing work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/sometimes-in-dohnavur-we-who-dearly-love-the-little-children-about-us/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [Let us not be surprised when we have to face difficulties. When the wind blows hard on a tree, the roots stretch and grow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/let-us-not-be-surprised-when-we-have-to-face-difficulties-when-the/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [“One can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/one-can-give-without-loving-but-one-cannot-love-without-giving/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) [Explore all 136 Amy Carmichael quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) ## More Accomplishment quotes > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [To accomplish much you must first lose everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/che-guevara/to-accomplish-much-you-must-first-lose-everything/) [Che Guevara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/che-guevara/) > [One of the most important rules for success is this: Every great success is the result of hundreds and thousands of small efforts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/one-of-the-most-important-rules-for-success-is-this-every-great/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [For many of us, work is the one place where we feel appreciated. The things that we long to experience at home - pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlie-russell-hochschild/for-many-of-us-work-is-the-one-place-where-we-feel-appreciated-the/) [Arlie Russell Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlie-russell-hochschild/) > [Humility is an elusive virtue. The more we pursue it - and the more we seem to acquire it - the more we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-aquilina/humility-is-an-elusive-virtue-the-more-we-pursue-it-and-the-more-we/) [Mike Aquilina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-aquilina/) > [I'm not always right, but I learn from my mistakes and make it a productive experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-kolhoff/i-m-not-always-right-but-i-learn-from-my-mistakes-and-make-it-a/) [Carson Kolhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-kolhoff/) > [Suffering in life can uncover untold depths of character and unknown strength for service. People who go through life unscathed by sorrow and untouched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/suffering-in-life-can-uncover-untold-depths-of-character-and-unknown/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/there-is-no-limit-to-the-amount-of-good-you-can-do-if-you-don-t-care/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Research is the live heart of the scientific life ... Greatness of position, respect for past accomplishments, the Nobel Prize itself -- none of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivian-gornick/research-is-the-live-heart-of-the-scientific-life-greatness-of/) [Vivian Gornick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivian-gornick/) > [“One man accomplishment Is another mans failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-sargent/one-man-accomplishment-is-another-mans-failure/) [Anthony Sargent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-sargent/) > [I expected college to feel like a major accomplishment. I walked across the stage, eight months pregnant with my almost seven-year-old daughter watching in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-land/i-expected-college-to-feel-like-a-major-accomplishment-i-walked/) [Stephanie Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-land/) > [Our purpose on this earth is not one single event, an accomplishment we can check off a list. There is no test. No passing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-hand/our-purpose-on-this-earth-is-not-one-single-event-an-accomplishment/) [Cynthia Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-hand/) > [An untrained or uneducated Marine ... deployed to the combat zone is a bigger threat to mission accomplishment ... than the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/an-untrained-or-uneducated-marine-deployed-to-the-combat-zone-is-a/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) [Browse all 1,598 Accomplishment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step, by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories, by faithfulness in very little things. 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