The work we desire and prize is not the courage to die decently, but to live manfully.
Meaning
Writing about Samuel Johnson's hard, poor, stubborn life, Carlyle praised steady daily courage over dramatic gestures. Everyday perseverance is the real test. Apply it by keeping a promise to yourself on an ordinary, tiring Tuesday, such as finishing a workout or a report you would rather skip.
Source: Boswell's Life of Johnson (1832)
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