“Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph: a beginning, a struggle, and a victory.”
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Attribution note
Found only on quote aggregators attributed to Gandhi, with no primary in Young India/Harijan/CWMG; the Western motivational phrasing suggests it is not his, but no other author is confirmed.
Likely origin: No reliable source; motivational aphorism ('drudgery and triumph... a beginning, a struggle, and a victory') credited to Gandhi only on quote sites, in a tone unlike his writing.
About this quote
Naming the middle stage is the useful part. Most efforts feel exciting at the start and rewarding at the end, but sag through a long, dull grind in between. Expecting that drudgery means you don't mistake it for failure and walk away right before the payoff would have arrived.
When to use it
- Writing a thesis: the eager outline, then months of tedious drafting, then the defense.
- Getting fit: the motivated first week, the plateau where nothing seems to change, the eventual milestone.
- Learning guitar: the fun first songs, the boring scales, and finally the first real performance.