Nothing ever comes to one that is worth having, except as a result of hard work. (Booker T. Washington, 19th-20th century American educator)

When you know something of the struggles that Washington had to overcome to become an admired teacher and an advisor to presidents, you can appreciate this important lesson. When things come easily to us, they are often appreciated little and do not enhance our learning. As inventor Thomas Edison said, “There is no substitute for hard work.”

Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. … Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. (Proverbs 12:14, 24)