Enduring Quote by Elizabeth Goudge
““Cousin Mary hoped her journey through periods of dark and light was like that of a Swiss train toiling up the mountainside, in and out of tunnels but always a little farther up the hill at each emergence. But she could only hope that this was so, she did not feel it. It seemed to her that she did not advance at all and that what she was learning now was only to hold on. The Red Queen in Alice Through the Looking Glass , she remembered, had had to run fast merely to stay where she was, but doubtless she had run in hope, disdaining despair; and hope, Cousin Mary discovered, when deliberately opposed to despair, was one of the tough virtues.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge, 1946
Progress often feels slow and hidden, yet perseverance and hope keep moving us upward despite setbacks.
In simple terms: Hard work may seem invisible, but hope and perseverance drive growth.
Key Takeaway
Keep hope alive and persevere through challenges.
Themes
perseverance
hope
growth
resilience
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- personal development
- overcoming adversity
- learning new skills
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
literary metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- What small signs of progress can you recognize?
- How does hope influence your perseverance?
A Different Perspective
Hope alone may not guarantee measurable progress without strategic action.
![“[Salvation] is a curious process of divine burglary. The first thing to be wrested from one by a God who said 'Thou shalt not steal' is one's good opinion of one's self.” quote by Elizabeth Goudge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/359/elizabeth-goudge-2888_burglary_salvation-is-a-curious-process-of-divine_266718.jpg)
