“Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent.”

“Talent is nothing without persistence.”

“Nature is monstrously unjust. There is no substitute for talent. Industry and all the virtues are of no avail.”

“If you do not have persistence then no amount of education, talent or genius can make up for it.”

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On!' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

“She was one of those writers, far from rare in the world of letters, who suppose that push and pull are an adequate substitute for talent...”