--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No, the thing that makes for greatness is…" description: "\"No, the thing that makes for greatness is determination, persisting in the right direction over the long haul, following your dream, staying at the tas..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf9/charles-r-swindoll-878_determination_no-the-thing-that-makes-for-greatness-is_1093491.png" --- # No, the thing that makes for greatness is determination… ![“No, the thing that makes for greatness is determination, persisting in the right direction over the long haul, following your dream, staying at the task.” quote by Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf9/charles-r-swindoll-878_determination_no-the-thing-that-makes-for-greatness-is_1093491.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf9/charles-r-swindoll-878_determination_no-the-thing-that-makes-for-greatness-is_1093491.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf9/charles-r-swindoll-878_determination_no-the-thing-that-makes-for-greatness-is_1093491.png) > “No, the thing that makes for greatness is determination, persisting in the right direction over the long haul, following your dream, staying at the task.” [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Greatness stems from persistent, purposeful effort toward a dream over time, not just talent. **In simple terms:** Persistence creates greatness. Key Takeaway Stay determined and keep moving forward. Themes determination goal setting perseverance Mood hopeful steady Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career development - creative projects - academic research - fitness training Key Concepts psychology long‑term focus habit formation Questions to Reflect On - What long‑term goal fuels your persistence? - How do you maintain direction when progress slows? A Different Perspective Burnout can occur without balance and rest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Follow your dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/follow-your-dreams/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Long haul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-haul/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Right direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-direction/) [Your dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-dreams/) ## Related quotes > [What makes greatness is starting something that lives after you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-washington-sockman/what-makes-greatness-is-starting-something-that-lives-after-you/) [Ralph Washington Sockman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-washington-sockman/) > [I'm all about spontaneity. I think it makes for greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-kostek/i-m-all-about-spontaneity-i-think-it-makes-for-greatness/) [Camille Kostek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-kostek/) > [A lot of bands that are great disappear a little bit faster than they used to. They don't get as much support for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-apatow/a-lot-of-bands-that-are-great-disappear-a-little-bit-faster-than-they/) [Judd Apatow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-apatow/) > [Long-haul trucking. Just roaming the country, alone, with audiobooks and podcasts, sleeping in the back of the cab, showering at gas stations at 4…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-johnson/long-haul-trucking-just-roaming-the-country-alone-with-audiobooks-and/) [Mat Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-johnson/) > [You're either in it for the long haul or you're not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-gayle/you-re-either-in-it-for-the-long-haul-or-you-re-not/) [Crystal Gayle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-gayle/) > [“It's a long haul bringing up our children to be good; you have to keep doing that — bring them up — and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-erikson/it-s-a-long-haul-bringing-up-our-children-to-be-good-you-have-to-keep/) [Erik Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-erikson/) > [Surveys show that many talented and committed young people are reluctant to enter teaching for the long haul because they think the profession is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arne-duncan/surveys-show-that-many-talented-and-committed-young-people-are/) [Arne Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arne-duncan/) > [No matter how skillful the trading scheme, over the long haul, abnormal returns are sustained only through abnormal exposure to risk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/no-matter-how-skillful-the-trading-scheme-over-the-long-haul-abnormal/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [There's a lot of games played, a lot of snaps played over the long haul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-peppers/there-s-a-lot-of-games-played-a-lot-of-snaps-played-over-the-long-haul/) [Julius Peppers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-peppers/) > [Over the long haul I'd say that most directors I've worked with have been pretty sensitive to the quality of the interpreted scenes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-serling/over-the-long-haul-i-d-say-that-most-directors-i-ve-worked-with-have/) [Rod Serling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-serling/) > [I think when you're a fan of music - at least the way I've been a fan to artists that have really touched me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matisyahu/i-think-when-you-re-a-fan-of-music-at-least-the-way-i-ve-been-a-fan/) [Matisyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matisyahu/) > [The media wants overnight successes (so they have someone to tear down). Ignore them. Ignore the early adopter critics that never have enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-media-wants-overnight-successes-so-they-have-someone-to-tear-down/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [As you give to fund God's needs, are you forced to trust Him to provide for yours? That's what a growing faith is about.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/as-you-give-to-fund-god-s-needs-are-you-forced-to-trust-him-to/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [Dieting is long-haul. Many rapid weight loss programs actually only squeeze the water out of you. Just like a wet sponge. But a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-jones/dieting-is-long-haul-many-rapid-weight-loss-programs-actually-only/) [Owen Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-jones/) > [We said from the very beginning that we're in this for the long haul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-hanson/we-said-from-the-very-beginning-that-we-re-in-this-for-the-long-haul/) [Isaac Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-hanson/) ## More by Charles R. Swindoll > [This tendency to avoid problems and the emotional suffering inherent in them is the primary basis of all human mental illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/this-tendency-to-avoid-problems-and-the-emotional-suffering-inherent/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Grace is ours. Let's live it! Deny it or debate it and we kill it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/grace-is-ours-let-s-live-it-deny-it-or-debate-it-and-we-kill-it/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Cults use our vocabulary, but they don't use our dictionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/cults-use-our-vocabulary-but-they-don-t-use-our-dictionary/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [No pressure is greater than God's power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/no-pressure-is-greater-than-god-s-power/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Go God's way! His is the most reliable route to follow when life gets complicated. It will have its tough moments, but you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/go-god-s-way-his-is-the-most-reliable-route-to-follow-when-life-gets/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [For there to be true maturity, people must be given room to grow, which includes room to fail...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/for-there-to-be-true-maturity-people-must-be-given-room-to-grow-which/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Anyone who influences others is a leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/anyone-who-influences-others-is-a-leader/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Nothing is so common as unsuccessful men with talent. They lack only determination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/nothing-is-so-common-as-unsuccessful-men-with-talent-they-lack-only/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Faith is like lighting the torch that passes from one person to the next. You can't light the torch of another if yours isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/faith-is-like-lighting-the-torch-that-passes-from-one-person-to-the/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude... When my attitudes are right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/i-believe-the-single-most-significant-decision-i-can-make-on-a-day-to/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Two words will help you cope when you run low on hope: accept and trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/two-words-will-help-you-cope-when-you-run-low-on-hope-accept-and-trust/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Thanksgiving speaks in clear, crisp tones of forgotten terms, like integrity - bravery - respect - freedom - discipline - sacrifice - godliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/thanksgiving-speaks-in-clear-crisp-tones-of-forgotten-terms-like/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [All he asks is that we trust Him, that we stand before Him in integrity and faith. God is just waiting for us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/all-he-asks-is-that-we-trust-him-that-we-stand-before-him-in/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Adversity is a good test of our resiliency, our ability to cope, to stand back up, to recover from misfortune. Adversity is a painful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/adversity-is-a-good-test-of-our-resiliency-our-ability-to-cope-to/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [I am a preacher. I'm involved in many other things, but, mainly, I preach. And I love it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/i-am-a-preacher-i-m-involved-in-many-other-things-but-mainly-i-preach/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) [Explore all 343 Charles R. Swindoll quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) ## More Determination quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) Ted Martinez > [In 1990, when they asked me to shoot a cover for 'British Vogue' to convey my personal vision of a woman, I explained that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lindbergh/in-1990-when-they-asked-me-to-shoot-a-cover-for-british-vogue-to/) [Peter Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lindbergh/) > [“It is not the force of the wind, but the depth of the roots.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/it-is-not-the-force-of-the-wind-but-the-depth-of-the-roots/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [“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/) > [If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-not-willing-to-learn-no-one-can-help-you-if-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-as-much-as-government-can-do-and-must-do-it-is-ultimately-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't let a breath escape from your body without Krishna's name. That should be our determination throughout our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/don-t-let-a-breath-escape-from-your-body-without-krishna-s-name-that/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [Work towards your goal and dont watch the post size,its either they hate,or like you.there is no room for both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-buabeng/work-towards-your-goal-and-dont-watch-the-post-size-its-either-they/) [Isaac Buabeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-buabeng/) > [“Making a decision takes a moment, living a decision takes a life-time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherif-a-el-mawardy/making-a-decision-takes-a-moment-living-a-decision-takes-a-life-time/) [Sherif A. El-Mawardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherif-a-el-mawardy/) > [“Fate and future both are servant to the determined, for they are nothing but creation of human determination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/fate-and-future-both-are-servant-to-the-determined-for-they-are/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-cannot-go-back-in-time-and-change-the-past-but-we-can-repent-the/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [“She felt wild and unruly, determined and free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/she-felt-wild-and-unruly-determined-and-free/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) > [“The real failure is not the one who falls down, it's the one who refuses to get up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/habeeb-akande/the-real-failure-is-not-the-one-who-falls-down-it-s-the-one-who/) [Habeeb Akande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/habeeb-akande/) > [“I AM ALL ABOUT SELF-DETERMINATION. Will. Control. I determine my path in life. I decide my failures and successes. Screw fate. Destiny can kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-chase/i-am-all-about-self-determination-will-control-i-determine-my-path-in/) [Emma Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-chase/) [Browse all 3,068 Determination quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "No, the thing that makes for greatness is determination, persisting in the right direction over the long haul, following your dream, staying at the task.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Charles R. 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