Confucius taught a philosophy focused on the importance of morality, justice, and respect for authority. The renowned sixth-century Chinese philosopher believed that by following these principles, one could achieve harmony in society. Confucius’ legacy lives on today in East Asia and beyond: His moral philosophy and his many words of wisdom, such as this encouraging quote about perseverance, have inspired generations of people across the world.

This oft-quoted statement comes from “The Notebook of Elbert Hubbard,” a collection of musings, short essays, and nuggets of wisdom from the eponymous writer, artist, and socialist philosopher that was published in 1927. The quote stands alone in the text, apart from any paragraph — a single thought about the fuel for our loftiest goals. What some may describe as zeal, spirit, or resolve, Hubbard names in his own way. For each step toward a mountain-sized dream, enthusiasm is what gives us the energy to push forward.

As the first Black president of South Africa and a lifelong anti-apartheid activist, Nelson Mandela faced more than his share of seemingly impossible challenges. Over his lifetime, he spent a total of 27 years in prison for fighting against the country’s institutionalized racial oppression. In 1993, he won the Nobel Peace Prize, and was sworn in as president of South Africa only a year later. Here, he encourages us to keep pushing toward our goals, even when we are discouraged: That determination can often trigger the turning point we’ve been waiting for.

Miguel de Cervantes is widely regarded as the greatest writer of the Spanish language, best known for his epic story “Don Quixote.” The book was originally published in two parts, the first released in 1605 and the second 10 years later in 1615. While it is undeniable that Cervantes must have been incredibly diligent to produce a work that is, even in modern printings, over 1,000 pages long, it is also worth noting that he struggled as a writer for 20 years before releasing the first half of “Don Quixote.” In the end, his diligence did indeed lead to good fortune. The work is considered to be the first modern novel and is one of the most widely translated books of all time.