--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Let a man begin in earnest with \"I…" description: "\"Let a man begin in earnest with \"I ought,\" and he will end, by God's grace, if he persevere, with \"I will.\" Let him force himself to abound in all smal..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abb/frederick-william-robertson-39_attention_let-a-man-begin-in-earnest-with-i-ought_1580291.png" --- # Let a man begin in earnest with "I ought," and he will… ![“Let a man begin in earnest with "I ought," and he will end, by God's grace, if he persevere, with "I will." Let him force himself to abound in all small offices of kindliness, attention, affectionateness, and all these for God's sake. By and by he will feel them become the habit of his soul.” quote by Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abb/frederick-william-robertson-39_attention_let-a-man-begin-in-earnest-with-i-ought_1580291.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abb/frederick-william-robertson-39_attention_let-a-man-begin-in-earnest-with-i-ought_1580291.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abb/frederick-william-robertson-39_attention_let-a-man-begin-in-earnest-with-i-ought_1580291.png) > “Let a man begin in earnest with "I ought," and he will end, by God's grace, if he persevere, with "I will." Let him force himself to abound in all small offices of kindliness, attention, affectionateness, and all these for God's sake. By and by he will feel them become the habit of his soul.” [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Through earnest self‑discipline and small acts of kindness, one can grow from modest intentions to confident fulfillment, guided by divine grace. **In simple terms:** Start small, stay faithful, become confident. Key Takeaway Cultivate tiny virtues consistently. Themes self‑improvement faith habit formation Mood hopeful reflective Type inspirational spiritual When to use this quote - personal development - community service - daily kindness - spiritual practice Key Concepts spiritual growth grace perseverance Questions to Reflect On - What small habit can you begin today? - How does faith influence your perseverance? A Different Perspective Reliance on divine grace may not resonate with secular readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [God 's grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-grace-2/) [God'S Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-grace/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Kindliness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindliness/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) ## Related quotes > [Let the force of arms give place to law and justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/let-the-force-of-arms-give-place-to-law-and-justice/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Who is to decide between 'Let it be' and 'Force it'?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/who-is-to-decide-between-let-it-be-and-force-it/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [“{ On the death of Hale's esteemed friend and fellow scientist, Luther Burbank . 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Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) ## More by Frederick William Robertson > [Women and God are the two rocks on which a man must either anchor or be wrecked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/women-and-god-are-the-two-rocks-on-which-a-man-must-either-anchor-or/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [By experience; by a sense of human frailty; by a perception of "the soul of goodness in things evil;" by a cheerful trust in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/by-experience-by-a-sense-of-human-frailty-by-a-perception-of-the-soul/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [This world is given as a prize for the men in earnest; and that which is true of this world is truer still of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/this-world-is-given-as-a-prize-for-the-men-in-earnest-and-that-which/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [Never does a man know the force that is in him till some mighty affliction or grief has humanized the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/never-does-a-man-know-the-force-that-is-in-him-till-some-mighty/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [In God's world, for those who are in earnest, there is no failure. 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