H. L. Mencken Quotes

Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day, which must be done, whether you like it or not.

But I really believe that you don't do music because you want to, you do it because you have to.

For myself, I keep writing. I've got to do something. I can't sit on my hands and do nothing.

One starts an action simply because one must do something.

I'm one of the people that when I wake up I have to do what I do. It's not like I want to do it. I kind of have to do it.

In life you need either inspiration or desperation.

If the motivation is gone, then I am finished.

Give yourself something to work toward - constantly.

The man that's out to do something has to keep in high gear all the time.

What keeps me going is goals.

He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor.

Goals provide the energy source that powers our lives. One of the best ways we can get the most from the energy we have is to focus it. That is what goals can do for us; concentrate our energy.

The real essence of work is concentrated energy.

Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal.

If we fix a goal and work towards it, then we are never just passing time.

I would die without goals or a focus. I need something to keep me going.

I feel less often compelled to do the work than I was in the past.

When I'm working, I'm not so much disciplined as obsessive. I have this feeling that I need to clear everything away and get this down.

Fires can't be made with dead embers, nor can enthusiasm be stirred by spiritless men. Enthusiasm in our daily work lightens effort and turns even labor into pleasant tasks.

The more one works, the more willing one is to work.

I drink coffee. Without coffee, I probably couldn't write.

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

People often say I have so much energy, that I never stop; but that's what it takes to accomplish your goals.

The motivation is in my heart to work toward my goals and my dreams.

When I do work, I feel the same sort of urgency as I ever did. If I didn't feel that, I don't think I would wish to be doing it. I wouldn't really see the point.