“I’m a big believer in luck, and the harder I work, the more I get”: This inspirational quote by Thomas Jefferson, former US president and one of the most influential figures in American history, suggests that luck is not entirely random, but is very closely related to perseverance and preparation.
What does the quote mean?
Jefferson’s quote suggests that the harder one continues to work at the things one wants to achieve in life, the greater the chance of favorable results. Jefferson’s words stand in contrast to what many people believe or tend to believe in order to feel better about not achieving the desired result. When a person fails to achieve their goals, they are most likely to focus on the negative and say things like “luck is not on my side” and “I tried my best.” But what people forget is to focus on positive thinking that can completely change the way a situation is perceived.
The quote suggests that success does not come unexpectedly and what many people think of as “luck” is a person’s hard work that is often overlooked or goes unappreciated. It reframes happiness as an outcome of action, suggesting that those who remain committed to their work are more likely to encounter opportunities.
Jefferson’s words also remind us that one must not stop when one fails at a task. While many people blame their “luck” or “fate” and give up after they fail, there are others who continue to focus on where their efforts failed and how they can improve for the next opportunity, thereby increasing their chances of success.
This perspective is especially important in today’s fast-paced world where everyone is competing with each other. It’s very easy to feel discouraged when others seem to succeed effortlessly, and this in turn makes people jealous of those around them. Social media and public narratives often tend to emphasize results while hiding the process and hard work that the other person earned. Late nights that fail repeatedly and continue to grind rarely make headlines. As a result, success often feels random to those who are not privy to the individual’s journey.
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States. He was born on April 13, 1743 in Albemarle County, Virginia to Peter and Jane Jefferson. His father was a successful planter and surveyor, and Jefferson came to own land and enslave people at an early age. Raised among Virginia’s plantation elite, he received a solid education and went on to study at the College of William & Mary, where he was influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment era.
In 1801 he became president. During two terms of office, he worked to reduce the national debt. He also completed the Louisiana Purchase, which increased the size of the country. Jefferson also authorized the Lewis and Clark Expedition, expanding knowledge of the American West.
