--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If our best efforts come to nothing often…" description: "\"If our best efforts come to nothing often enough, we need consolation, and thoughts of unfolding, infinite destiny, or karma , are sometimes consoling...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/692/simon-blackburn-14689_best-effort_if-our-best-efforts-come-to-nothing-ofte_2419827.jpg" --- # If our best efforts come to nothing often enough, we need… ![“If our best efforts come to nothing often enough, we need consolation, and thoughts of unfolding, infinite destiny, or karma , are sometimes consoling.” quote by Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/692/simon-blackburn-14689_best-effort_if-our-best-efforts-come-to-nothing-ofte_2419827.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/692/simon-blackburn-14689_best-effort_if-our-best-efforts-come-to-nothing-ofte_2419827.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/692/simon-blackburn-14689_best-effort_if-our-best-efforts-come-to-nothing-ofte_2419827.jpg) > “If our best efforts come to nothing often enough, we need consolation, and thoughts of unfolding, infinite destiny, or karma , are sometimes consoling.” [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When efforts fail repeatedly, we seek comfort in ideas of destiny or karma, which can be soothing. **In simple terms:** Failed efforts lead us to seek solace in fate or karma. Key Takeaway Find resilience beyond fatalistic comfort. Themes philosophy psychology spirituality Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal setbacks - career failures - relationship issues Key Concepts karma destiny resilience Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance acceptance and action? - What practices build inner resilience? A Different Perspective Overreliance on fate may hinder proactive change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-effort/) [Consolation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consolation/) [Consolation Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consolation-thoughts-6120598/) [Consoling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consoling/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Infinite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infinite/) [Karma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karma/) [Karma Consoling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karma-consoling-6120601/) [Need Consolation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-consolation-6120600/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Thoughts Unfolding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts-unfolding-6120603/) [Unfolding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfolding/) ## Related quotes > [Salvation is not some felicitous state to which we can lift ourselves by our own bootstraps after the contemplation of sufficiently good examples. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-farrar-capon/salvation-is-not-some-felicitous-state-to-which-we-can-lift-ourselves/) [Robert Farrar Capon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-farrar-capon/) > [“It is impossible to give your best effort without mindfulness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/it-is-impossible-to-give-your-best-effort-without-mindfulness/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [If you make your best effort to be kinder, nurture compassion, make the world a better place, then you can say 'At least I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinder-nurture-compassion-make-the/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Make a strong and permanent commitment to invest your talents only in pursuits that deserve your best efforts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nido-r-qubein/make-a-strong-and-permanent-commitment-to-invest-your-talents-only-in/) [Nido R Qubein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nido-r-qubein/) > [Every time you compete, try harder to improve on your last performance. Give nothing short of your very best effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elgin-baylor/every-time-you-compete-try-harder-to-improve-on-your-last-performance/) [Elgin Baylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elgin-baylor/) > [I agree that one can't dispense with the reins and the whip altogether, for knaves find their way even into literature, but no thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/i-agree-that-one-can-t-dispense-with-the-reins-and-the-whip/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [You can only do what ONLY YOU can do. Do that. The universe will configure around your very best efforts. Willingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/you-can-only-do-what-only-you-can-do-do-that-the-universe-will/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [Success is a process for all of us, and as long as you are making consistent progress towards your goals - sincerely giving your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/success-is-a-process-for-all-of-us-and-as-long-as-you-are-making/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Leadership is the ability to encourage the best efforts of others in working toward a desirable goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-w-kimball/leadership-is-the-ability-to-encourage-the-best-efforts-of-others-in/) [Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) > [The best effort of a fine person is felt after we have left their presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-best-effort-of-a-fine-person-is-felt-after-we-have-left-their/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If people give me a year or two of their best effort, then I am their friend for life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-trotter/if-people-give-me-a-year-or-two-of-their-best-effort-then-i-am-their/) [Charlie Trotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-trotter/) > [With the empowerment of an advanced Teacher, and your own best efforts, you will be able to explore the mysteries of knowledge that lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/with-the-empowerment-of-an-advanced-teacher-and-your-own-best-efforts/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/if-it-s-worth-doing-it-s-worth-doing-well/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Occupy yourself with what's in your life now. Address those situations and subjects as fully as possible with your best efforts. That is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/occupy-yourself-with-what-s-in-your-life-now-address-those-situations/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I have no apologies, no regrets. I gave my very best efforts… I've been hung in effigy. I've been spat upon. You just have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-westmoreland/i-have-no-apologies-no-regrets-i-gave-my-very-best-efforts-i-ve-been/) [William Westmoreland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-westmoreland/) ## More by Simon Blackburn > [Finding a mechanism does not bypass the problem of induction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/finding-a-mechanism-does-not-bypass-the-problem-of-induction/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [“seperate morality from its effects, and you will see that everyone regards ias a nuisance, an annoying brake on their freedom of action.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/seperate-morality-from-its-effects-and-you-will-see-that-everyone/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [The absolutist trumpets his plain vision; the relativist sees only someone who is unaware of his own spectacles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/the-absolutist-trumpets-his-plain-vision-the-relativist-sees-only/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [The absolutist takes himself to speak to the ages, with the tongue of angels, but the relativist hears only one version among others, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/the-absolutist-takes-himself-to-speak-to-the-ages-with-the-tongue-of/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [When the hoary old question of nature versus nurture comes around, sides form quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/when-the-hoary-old-question-of-nature-versus-nurture-comes-around/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [It can seem an amazing fact that laws of nature keep on holding, that the frame of nature does not fall apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/it-can-seem-an-amazing-fact-that-laws-of-nature-keep-on-holding-that/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [“Someone sitting on a completely unreasonable belief is sitting on a time bomb. The apparently harmless, idiosyncratic belief of the Catholic Church that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/someone-sitting-on-a-completely-unreasonable-belief-is-sitting-on-a/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [Paradigms can be asked to show their worth, an some of them do not stand up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/paradigms-can-be-asked-to-show-their-worth-an-some-of-them-do-not/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [“It is the thought that the least efficient way of of finding either happiness or pleasure is to pursue them. Put in terms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/it-is-the-thought-that-the-least-efficient-way-of-of-finding-either/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [The absolutist takes himself to read nature in her very own language, but the relativist insists that nature does not speak, and we hear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/the-absolutist-takes-himself-to-read-nature-in-her-very-own-language/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [The fantasist in whom the reality barrier has broken down is unreliable, believing things when he should not, and telling things as true when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/the-fantasist-in-whom-the-reality-barrier-has-broken-down-is/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [This doctrine, that of the ghost in the machine, strictly separates the mind or soul from the body. And by doing so it takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/this-doctrine-that-of-the-ghost-in-the-machine-strictly-separates-the/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [Respect, of course is a tricky term. I may respect your gardening by just letting you get on with it. Or, I may respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/respect-of-course-is-a-tricky-term-i-may-respect-your-gardening-by/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [“belief is to knowledge as shadow is to original”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/belief-is-to-knowledge-as-shadow-is-to-original/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) > [“So the middle-ground answer reminds us that reflection is continuous with practice, and our practice can go worse or better according to the value…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/so-the-middle-ground-answer-reminds-us-that-reflection-is-continuous/) [Simon Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) [Explore all 45 Simon Blackburn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/) ## More Best effort quotes > [Salvation is not some felicitous state to which we can lift ourselves by our own bootstraps after the contemplation of sufficiently good examples. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-farrar-capon/salvation-is-not-some-felicitous-state-to-which-we-can-lift-ourselves/) [Robert Farrar Capon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-farrar-capon/) > [Occupy yourself with what's in your life now. Address those situations and subjects as fully as possible with your best efforts. That is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/occupy-yourself-with-what-s-in-your-life-now-address-those-situations/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/if-it-s-worth-doing-it-s-worth-doing-well/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [With the empowerment of an advanced Teacher, and your own best efforts, you will be able to explore the mysteries of knowledge that lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/with-the-empowerment-of-an-advanced-teacher-and-your-own-best-efforts/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [If people give me a year or two of their best effort, then I am their friend for life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-trotter/if-people-give-me-a-year-or-two-of-their-best-effort-then-i-am-their/) [Charlie Trotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-trotter/) > [The best effort of a fine person is felt after we have left their presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-best-effort-of-a-fine-person-is-felt-after-we-have-left-their/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Leadership is the ability to encourage the best efforts of others in working toward a desirable goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-w-kimball/leadership-is-the-ability-to-encourage-the-best-efforts-of-others-in/) [Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) > [Success is a process for all of us, and as long as you are making consistent progress towards your goals - sincerely giving your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/success-is-a-process-for-all-of-us-and-as-long-as-you-are-making/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [You can only do what ONLY YOU can do. Do that. The universe will configure around your very best efforts. Willingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/you-can-only-do-what-only-you-can-do-do-that-the-universe-will/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [I agree that one can't dispense with the reins and the whip altogether, for knaves find their way even into literature, but no thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/i-agree-that-one-can-t-dispense-with-the-reins-and-the-whip/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [Every time you compete, try harder to improve on your last performance. Give nothing short of your very best effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elgin-baylor/every-time-you-compete-try-harder-to-improve-on-your-last-performance/) [Elgin Baylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elgin-baylor/) > [Make a strong and permanent commitment to invest your talents only in pursuits that deserve your best efforts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nido-r-qubein/make-a-strong-and-permanent-commitment-to-invest-your-talents-only-in/) [Nido R Qubein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nido-r-qubein/) > [If you make your best effort to be kinder, nurture compassion, make the world a better place, then you can say 'At least I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinder-nurture-compassion-make-the/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“It is impossible to give your best effort without mindfulness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/it-is-impossible-to-give-your-best-effort-without-mindfulness/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [I have no apologies, no regrets. I gave my very best efforts… I've been hung in effigy. I've been spat upon. You just have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-westmoreland/i-have-no-apologies-no-regrets-i-gave-my-very-best-efforts-i-ve-been/) [William Westmoreland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-westmoreland/) [Browse all 109 Best effort quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-effort/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If our best efforts come to nothing often enough, we need consolation, and thoughts of unfolding, infinite destiny, or karma , are sometimes consoling.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Simon Blackburn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/if-our-best-efforts-come-to-nothing-often-enough-we-need-consolation/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Best effort" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/if-our-best-efforts-come-to-nothing-often-enough-we-need-consolation/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/692/simon-blackburn-14689_best-effort_if-our-best-efforts-come-to-nothing-ofte_2419827.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/692/simon-blackburn-14689_best-effort_if-our-best-efforts-come-to-nothing-ofte_2419827.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/692/simon-blackburn-14689_best-effort_if-our-best-efforts-come-to-nothing-ofte_2419827.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If our best efforts come to nothing often enough, we need consolation, and thoughts of unfolding, infinite…” — Simon Blackburn", "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": "Simon Blackburn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-blackburn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If our best efforts come to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/if-our-best-efforts-come-to-nothing-often-enough-we-need-consolation/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-blackburn/if-our-best-efforts-come-to-nothing-often-enough-we-need-consolation/#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 } } ] } ```