The world belongs to the enthusiast who keeps cool.

William McFee was a 20th-century British writer known for his novels set at sea, an apt choice considering McFee himself was born on his father’s ship and later worked as a ship engineer. McFee served in the British Navy during World War I, publishing several novels and nonfiction works from his various postings. After 20 years at sea, he turned to a full-time career as a writer. Journalist Christopher Morley once praised the engineer’s touch he saw in McFee’s writing, calling him “patient, dogged, [and] purposeful.” McFee’s words here remind us to balance our passions with a level head: Marrying drive with patience and diligence remains the best way to move toward our goals.