--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The greater I am, the greater shall be my…" description: "\"The greater I am, the greater shall be my efforts.\" — Petrarch" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3a/petrarch-6716_effort_the-greater-i-am-the-greater-shall-be-my_3019699.png" --- # The greater I am, the greater shall be my efforts. ![“The greater I am, the greater shall be my efforts.” quote by Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3a/petrarch-6716_effort_the-greater-i-am-the-greater-shall-be-my_3019699.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3a/petrarch-6716_effort_the-greater-i-am-the-greater-shall-be-my_3019699.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3a/petrarch-6716_effort_the-greater-i-am-the-greater-shall-be-my_3019699.png) > “The greater I am, the greater shall be my efforts.” [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ambition drives greater effort; the larger the self, the more one strives. **In simple terms:** Bigger self, bigger effort. Key Takeaway Match effort to aspirations. Themes ambition effort self‑growth Mood determined reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career advancement - personal goals - leadership - creative projects Key Concepts human nature motivation Questions to Reflect On - How does self‑image affect your work ethic? - What limits arise from over‑ambition? A Different Perspective Effort may not always yield proportional results. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Efforts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efforts/) [Hard work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-work/) ## Related quotes > [I have reared a memorial more enduring than brass, and loftier than the regal structure of the pyramids, which neither the corroding shower nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/i-have-reared-a-memorial-more-enduring-than-brass-and-loftier-than/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Time makes fools of us all. Our only comfort is that greater shall come after us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-makes-fools-of-us-all-our-only-comfort-is-that-greater-shall/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Reality is always greater - much greater - than what we know, than whatever we can say about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/reality-is-always-greater-much-greater-than-what-we-know-than/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [The greater the will, the greater the flow of energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/the-greater-the-will-the-greater-the-flow-of-energy/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [“The willingness to become greater than you are is itself becoming greater than you are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-willingness-to-become-greater-than-you-are-is-itself-becoming/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [“I get so excited when I hear people saying their greater is coming. After all, I’m always telling everyone to find the positive. Yes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-son-m-lee/i-get-so-excited-when-i-hear-people-saying-their-greater-is-coming/) [J'son M. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-son-m-lee/) > [In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of effort is the measure of the results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/in-all-human-affairs-there-are-efforts-and-there-are-results-and-the/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [When hard work coupled with sincere efforts does not toll and time keeps on checking your patience, then what to do?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athar-azeem/when-hard-work-coupled-with-sincere-efforts-does-not-toll-and-time/) [Athar Azeem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athar-azeem/) > [It's very flattering to be praised for each of your efforts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhika-pandit/it-s-very-flattering-to-be-praised-for-each-of-your-efforts/) [Radhika Pandit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhika-pandit/) > [“Dreams come true with much work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/dreams-come-true-with-much-work/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Whether our efforts are, or not, favored by life, let us be able to say, when we come near to the great goal, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-pasteur/whether-our-efforts-are-or-not-favored-by-life-let-us-be-able-to-say/) [Louis Pasteur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-pasteur/) > [I think efforts sometimes don't get rewarded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-seung-gi/i-think-efforts-sometimes-don-t-get-rewarded/) [Lee Seung-gi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-seung-gi/) > [“Challenge is tough. It needs efforts, energy and time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-finder/challenge-is-tough-it-needs-efforts-energy-and-time/) [Joseph Finder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-finder/) > [If China someday gains a more fair, just, and accountable system of government, it will be due to the hard work and efforts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-mackinnon/if-china-someday-gains-a-more-fair-just-and-accountable-system-of/) [Rebecca MacKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-mackinnon/) > [Before success comes patience... when we add to our accomplishments the element of hard work over a long period of time, we'll place a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/before-success-comes-patience-when-we-add-to-our-accomplishments-the/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## More by Petrarch > [Five enemies of peace inhabit with us - avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride; if these were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/five-enemies-of-peace-inhabit-with-us-avarice-ambition-envy-anger-and/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [I would have preferred to have been born in any other time than our own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/i-would-have-preferred-to-have-been-born-in-any-other-time-than-our/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [The time will come when every change shall cease, This quick revolving wheel shall rest in peace: No summer then shall glow, not winter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/the-time-will-come-when-every-change-shall-cease-this-quick-revolving/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [Wanting is not enough, long and you attain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/wanting-is-not-enough-long-and-you-attain-it/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [The aged love what is practical while impetuous youth longs only for what is dazzling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/the-aged-love-what-is-practical-while-impetuous-youth-longs-only-for/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [Oh, may she deign to stand atmy bedside When I come to die; and may she call to me And draw me to her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/oh-may-she-deign-to-stand-atmy-bedside-when-i-come-to-die-and-may-she/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [How difficult it is to save the bark of reputation from the rocks of ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/how-difficult-it-is-to-save-the-bark-of-reputation-from-the-rocks-of/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [Do you suppose there is any living man so unreasonable that if he found himself stricken with a dangerous ailment he would not anxiously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/do-you-suppose-there-is-any-living-man-so-unreasonable-that-if-he/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [Sameness is the mother of disgust, variety the cure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/sameness-is-the-mother-of-disgust-variety-the-cure/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [He loves but lightly who his love can tell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/he-loves-but-lightly-who-his-love-can-tell/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [Rarely do great beauty and great virtue dwell together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/rarely-do-great-beauty-and-great-virtue-dwell-together/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [It is better to will the good than to know the truth,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/it-is-better-to-will-the-good-than-to-know-the-truth/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [For death betimes is comfort, not dismay, and who can rightly die needs no delay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/for-death-betimes-is-comfort-not-dismay-and-who-can-rightly-die-needs/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [“I feed my heart with sighs, that's all it asks, I live on tears, I think I'm born to weep; I don't complain of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/i-feed-my-heart-with-sighs-that-s-all-it-asks-i-live-on-tears-i-think/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) > [Often have I wondered with much curiosity as to our coming into this world and what will follow our departure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/often-have-i-wondered-with-much-curiosity-as-to-our-coming-into-this/) [Petrarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) [Explore all 98 Petrarch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/) ## More Effort quotes > [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [An enlightened awareness is within each one of us, right at this moment. This enlightened awareness is truly unborn and marvellously illuminating; and everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bankei-yotaku/an-enlightened-awareness-is-within-each-one-of-us-right-at-this/) [Bankei Yotaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bankei-yotaku/) > [Now I try to make efforts, you know, I'm just, the best effort I can do is just stay sober myself. I can at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-dick/now-i-try-to-make-efforts-you-know-i-m-just-the-best-effort-i-can-do/) [Andy Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-dick/) > [Reading counts as partying, even if you're not enjoying it! Even if someone's forcing you to read, you can find a way to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-w-k/reading-counts-as-partying-even-if-you-re-not-enjoying-it-even-if/) [Andrew W.K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-w-k/) > [ Bernie \[Ecclestone\] is the commercial rights holder so the more outgoing the champion is, the better. Of course. I also do think about our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-ecclestone/bernie-ecclestone-is-the-commercial-rights-holder-so-the-more/) [Bernie Ecclestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-ecclestone/) > [All efforts to render politics aesthetic culminate in one thing: war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/all-efforts-to-render-politics-aesthetic-culminate-in-one-thing-war/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [Im tired, tired of putting more effort than you do. Im tired of always having to start the conversation and if I dont, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-tired-tired-of-putting-more-effort-than-you-do-im-tired-of-always/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is for the superfluous we sweat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/it-is-for-the-superfluous-we-sweat/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Only alone can you go into eternity. Only alone can you feel the transcendental light. It is not a shared experience because if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-alone-can-you-go-into-eternity-only-alone-can-you-feel-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I love a pocket. I'm about helping women look as good as possible on the least amount of effort. I want versatility and comfort.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-mccartney/i-love-a-pocket-i-m-about-helping-women-look-as-good-as-possible-on/) [Stella McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-mccartney/) > [I have often spoken of integrity as the most important of these values, realizing that integrity – and personal integrity, at that – is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/verghese-kurien/i-have-often-spoken-of-integrity-as-the-most-important-of-these/) [Verghese Kurien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/verghese-kurien/) > [Grace is the power of the Holy Spirit coming to us free of charge to enable you to do with ease what you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/grace-is-the-power-of-the-holy-spirit-coming-to-us-free-of-charge-to/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [ No wonder that Churchill described this effort \[the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park\] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hilton/no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this-effort-the-british/) [Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hilton/) > [“Dreams will come true as long as you give some effort towards your goal”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dayana/dreams-will-come-true-as-long-as-you-give-some-effort-towards-your/) Dayana > [I should have liked to get married, but over many decades I have lived essentially alone. I go to sleep when I'm tired, get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-should-have-liked-to-get-married-but-over-many-decades-i-have-lived/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) [Browse all 8,602 Effort quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The greater I am, the greater shall be my efforts.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Petrarch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/the-greater-i-am-the-greater-shall-be-my-efforts/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Effort" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/the-greater-i-am-the-greater-shall-be-my-efforts/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3a/petrarch-6716_effort_the-greater-i-am-the-greater-shall-be-my_3019699.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3a/petrarch-6716_effort_the-greater-i-am-the-greater-shall-be-my_3019699.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3a/petrarch-6716_effort_the-greater-i-am-the-greater-shall-be-my_3019699.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The greater I am, the greater shall be my efforts.” — Petrarch", "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": "Petrarch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petrarch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The greater I am, the greater...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/the-greater-i-am-the-greater-shall-be-my-efforts/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petrarch/the-greater-i-am-the-greater-shall-be-my-efforts/#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 } } ] } ```