--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Throughout human history, in any great…" description: "\"Throughout human history, in any great endeavour requiring the common effort of many nations and men and women everywhere, we have learned - it is only..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f81/ban-ki-moon-1778_any_throughout-human-history-in-any-great-en_2587270.png" --- # Throughout human history, in any great endeavour requiring… ![“Throughout human history, in any great endeavour requiring the common effort of many nations and men and women everywhere, we have learned - it is only through seriousness of purpose and persistence that we ultimately carry the day. We might liken it to riding a bicycle. You stay upright and move…” quote by Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f81/ban-ki-moon-1778_any_throughout-human-history-in-any-great-en_2587270.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f81/ban-ki-moon-1778_any_throughout-human-history-in-any-great-en_2587270.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f81/ban-ki-moon-1778_any_throughout-human-history-in-any-great-en_2587270.png) > “Throughout human history, in any great endeavour requiring the common effort of many nations and men and women everywhere, we have learned - it is only through seriousness of purpose and persistence that we ultimately carry the day. We might liken it to riding a bicycle. You stay upright and move forward so long as you keep up the momentum.” [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Collective effort and steadfast purpose drive progress, similar to maintaining momentum on a bicycle. **In simple terms:** Purpose and persistence keep societies moving forward. Key Takeaway Maintain focus and steady effort. Themes leadership cooperation perseverance Mood inspirational serious Type political motivational When to use this quote - global initiatives - climate policy - public health campaigns Key Concepts momentum collective action Questions to Reflect On - How can we sustain momentum in long‑term projects? - What fuels collective purpose? A Different Perspective Momentum can be lost without continuous effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Any](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/any/) [Bicycle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bicycle/) [Carry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carry/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Common Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-effort-854007/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Effort Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort-nations-1829677/) [Endeavour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endeavour/) [Everywhere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everywhere/) [Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forward/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Human history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-history/) [Keep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keep/) [Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Many](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/many/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Momentum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/momentum/) [Move](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/move/) [Move forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/move-forward/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Persistence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persistence/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Purpose Persistence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-persistence-1829676/) [Requiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/requiring/) [Riding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/riding/) [Riding a bicycle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/riding-a-bicycle/) [Seriousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seriousness/) [Stay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stay/) [Stay Upright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stay-upright-430114/) [Through](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/through/) [Throughout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/throughout/) [Ultimately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimately/) [Ultimately Carry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimately-carry-1829678/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [Upright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upright/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [There can be no permanent progress in the battle against hunger until the agencies that fight for increased food production and those that fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-borlaug/there-can-be-no-permanent-progress-in-the-battle-against-hunger-until/) [Norman Borlaug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-borlaug/) > [No matter who we are or what we look like or what we may believe, it is both possible and, more importantly, it becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/no-matter-who-we-are-or-what-we-look-like-or-what-we-may-believe-it/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/with-common-effort-and-common-purpose-with-passion-and-dedication-let/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“I thought so too,” he said, shaking his head, “but now I don’t know. I had hoped that by working with the people, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-robbins/i-thought-so-too-he-said-shaking-his-head-but-now-i-don-t-know-i-had/) [Harold Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-robbins/) > [“in seeking only to stay upright, you fall, are banished then cursed and reviled, condemned to wander a continent you don’t even know where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-cohen/in-seeking-only-to-stay-upright-you-fall-are-banished-then-cursed-and/) [Joshua Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-cohen/) > [“it was difficult to stay upright. Once rolling, the oxen were as”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverley-harper/it-was-difficult-to-stay-upright-once-rolling-the-oxen-were-as/) [Beverley Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverley-harper/) > [“Balancing your life and business will always walking a tightrope. Some days, your balance will amaze you. Some days, you’ll struggle to stay upright.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liesha-petrovich/balancing-your-life-and-business-will-always-walking-a-tightrope-some/) [Liesha Petrovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liesha-petrovich/) > [ \[H\]ow was I supposed to get excited about the oppression of females if they couldn't be trusted to stay upright during the final minutes… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/h-ow-was-i-supposed-to-get-excited-about-the-oppression-of-females-if/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [When I was getting injured so much, I spoke to my family and my manager and said, 'I need my body to recover.' The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-pato/when-i-was-getting-injured-so-much-i-spoke-to-my-family-and-my/) [Alexandre Pato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-pato/) > [“In our springtime there is no better, there is no worse. Blossoming branches burgeon as the must. Some are long, some are short.' Stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-pedrosa/in-our-springtime-there-is-no-better-there-is-no-worse-blossoming/) [Cyril Pedrosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-pedrosa/) > [“You seem not like a lady give much to swooning, anyway, from what I've seen," he said. "Not much, sir. Swooning stains one's gown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melinda-taub/you-seem-not-like-a-lady-give-much-to-swooning-anyway-from-what-i-ve/) [Melinda Taub](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melinda-taub/) > [If you want to support others you have to stay upright yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-want-to-support-others-you-have-to-stay-upright-yourself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As you keep moving forward, you can stay upright even when outside forces try to pull you down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-l-oscarson/as-you-keep-moving-forward-you-can-stay-upright-even-when-outside/) [Bonnie L. Oscarson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-l-oscarson/) > [New situations requiring closer contact with the rabbit had been gradually introduced and the degree to which these situations were avoided, tolerated, or welcomed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-c-jones/new-situations-requiring-closer-contact-with-the-rabbit-had-been/) [Mary C. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-c-jones/) > [I came rather late to film. I've done an awful lot of theater before - before I discovered the camera, you know, seeing everything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-came-rather-late-to-film-i-ve-done-an-awful-lot-of-theater-before/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) ## More by Ban Ki-moon > [Planet Earth is our shared island, let us join forces to protect it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/planet-earth-is-our-shared-island-let-us-join-forces-to-protect-it/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [My observation is China is thinking more as a global player than regionally, in both politics and economics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/my-observation-is-china-is-thinking-more-as-a-global-player-than/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [With her courage and determination, Malala has shown what terrorists fear most: a girl with a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/with-her-courage-and-determination-malala-has-shown-what-terrorists/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [I have been, and will remain, outspoken in my insistence that Israel has a right to live in peace and security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/i-have-been-and-will-remain-outspoken-in-my-insistence-that-israel/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [Building sustainable cities - and a sustainable future - will need open dialogue among all branches of national, regional and local government. And it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/building-sustainable-cities-and-a-sustainable-future-will-need-open/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [We must follow the wisdom of the Brundtland Report. We must pursue development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/we-must-follow-the-wisdom-of-the-brundtland-report-we-must-pursue/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [We have reached a new milestone as a human family. With seven billion of us now inhabiting our planet, it is time to ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/we-have-reached-a-new-milestone-as-a-human-family-with-seven-billion/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [Grave security concerns can arise as a result of demographic trends, chronic poverty, economic inequality, environmental degradation, pandemic diseases, organized crime, repressive governance and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/grave-security-concerns-can-arise-as-a-result-of-demographic-trends/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [Some might complain that nuclear disarmament is little more than a dream. But that ignores the very tangible benefits disarmament would bring for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/some-might-complain-that-nuclear-disarmament-is-little-more-than-a/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [On this International Day for the Abolition of Slavery let us reaffirm the inherent dignity of all men, women and children. And let us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/on-this-international-day-for-the-abolition-of-slavery-let-us/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [I believe that the topic of chemical weapons is critically important for international peace and security, and I take note of the ongoing debate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/i-believe-that-the-topic-of-chemical-weapons-is-critically-important/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [Achieving gender equality requires the engagement of women and men, girls and boys. It is everyone's responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/achieving-gender-equality-requires-the-engagement-of-women-and-men/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [Three decades into this crisis, let us set our sights on achieving the "three zeros" zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/three-decades-into-this-crisis-let-us-set-our-sights-on-achieving-the/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [Businesses succeed when societies themselves succeed. When countries are affected by violence and the absence of the rule of law, business can and must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/businesses-succeed-when-societies-themselves-succeed-when-countries/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [New York is one of the greatest cities in the world. It is a fitting host to its many international visitors, who can come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/new-york-is-one-of-the-greatest-cities-in-the-world-it-is-a-fitting/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) [Explore all 209 Ban Ki-moon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) ## More Any quotes > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [We were so poor as kids. I didn't even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode - we didn't have any of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-robertson/we-were-so-poor-as-kids-i-didn-t-even-see-a-bathtub-running-water-hot/) [Phil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-robertson/) > [We earned any fans with the way we play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-white/we-earned-any-fans-with-the-way-we-play/) [Jimmy White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-white/) > [Hard work and a good education will take you further than any government program.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-schock/hard-work-and-a-good-education-will-take-you-further-than-any/) [Aaron Schock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-schock/) > [Anyone who's read my 'Terror in the Skies' series knows that I have not been writing with an eye toward approval from any government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-jacobsen/anyone-who-s-read-my-terror-in-the-skies-series-knows-that-i-have-not/) [Annie Jacobsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-jacobsen/) > [The system in Germany is different, as you sign up with a company for two or three years, and you work exclusively with them;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-wlaschiha/the-system-in-germany-is-different-as-you-sign-up-with-a-company-for/) [Tom Wlaschiha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-wlaschiha/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [I haven't shut any doors, and I'm really open to anything, so I think it's just about the material and what is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-panabaker/i-haven-t-shut-any-doors-and-i-m-really-open-to-anything-so-i-think/) [Danielle Panabaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-panabaker/) > [I never want to look back on any moment and say I could have done more. So I go all in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-haze/i-never-want-to-look-back-on-any-moment-and-say-i-could-have-done/) [Scott Haze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-haze/) > [I love the sea, but I avoid any sort of seaside resort that has skyscrapers or seaside entertainments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-blake/i-love-the-sea-but-i-avoid-any-sort-of-seaside-resort-that-has/) [Quentin Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-blake/) [Browse all 6,938 Any quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/any/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Throughout human history, in any great endeavour requiring the common effort of many nations and men and women everywhere, we have learned - it is only through seriousness of purpose and persistence that we ultimately carry the day. We might liken it to riding a bicycle. You stay upright and move forward so long as you keep up the momentum.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ban Ki-moon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/throughout-human-history-in-any-great-endeavour-requiring-the-common/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Any" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/throughout-human-history-in-any-great-endeavour-requiring-the-common/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f81/ban-ki-moon-1778_any_throughout-human-history-in-any-great-en_2587270.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f81/ban-ki-moon-1778_any_throughout-human-history-in-any-great-en_2587270.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f81/ban-ki-moon-1778_any_throughout-human-history-in-any-great-en_2587270.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Throughout human history, in any great endeavour requiring the common effort of many nations and men and…” — Ban Ki-moon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ban Ki-moon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Throughout human history, in any great...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/throughout-human-history-in-any-great-endeavour-requiring-the-common/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/throughout-human-history-in-any-great-endeavour-requiring-the-common/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```