The author is: “John Greenleaf Whittier (1807 - 1892) was one of the 'Fireside Poets,' called such because their work was popular enough to be read (ostensibly by the fire) in homes all over America. My grandfather kept it with him as a Div 1 United States Marine at Okinawa and then on his desk when he was a community leader in NY’s Little Italy & Chinatown. For 3 generations this poem was passed from father to son in my family.

I only found out recently that the author is NOT anonymous. It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit. So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit– When he might have captured the victor’s cup,Īnd he learned too late when the night slipped down,Īnd you never can tell how close you are, When he might have won had he stuck it out ĭon’t give up though the pace seems slow– When the funds are low and the debts are high,Īnd you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, I do hope that this poem will bring some degree of optimism and positivity in otherwise negative environment.and hopefully you will find it inspiring too, as much as I do.

I thought of posting this at LinkedIn, mainly in light of various negative posts that I have been seeing lately, which justify and encourage quitting. It has definitely inspired generations of Americans. This is a superb inspiring poem, in my view, although no one knows who wrote this poem, and exactly how long ago it was written.

Dont quit poem edgar