The Civil Services Exam (CSE) is considered as one of the toughest in the world. To clear the exam, an aspirant has to maintain high motivational levels for a minimum period of two years. To achieve this, quotes by great personalities will be of much help.
For the benefit of IAS aspirants, ten best inspirational quotes are given below.
1. “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” – Tagore
This famous quote is from Rabindranath Tagore’s drama ‘The King of Dark Chamber’. One can’t cross a river by merely standing and staring. Similarly, one can’t clear the CSE, by dreaming and reading success stories. One has to take a step and leap forward. One has to overcome the procrastination and should start reading the necessary material and practice mock papers to succeed in the exam.
2. Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” – Buddha
This Buddha’s quote is not only applicable to the journey of your life, but also to your IAS exam preparation. Realize the power of the ‘now’ and make the most out of your present. If you failed to study yesterday, don’t get carried away with that disappointment. Start every day afresh and study with focus every day.
3. “Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work.” – Einstein
Many aspirants think that only those having inborn talent can become IAS officers. But, this is not true. It is only with your sheer hard, you can succeed in the CSE. With only your persistent and disciplined hard work, you can complete the huge syllabus and succeed in the exam.
4. Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi
This famous quote from the father of the nation has inspired generations across the world. As per Mahatma Gandhi, whatever changes you would like to effect in the society has to begin with you.
Try to be innovative in your preparation. Think about the ways to effectively utilize your available resources for the preparation. Always remember that the change in the society starts from you.
5. Rarest of all human quality is consistency.” – Bentham
Rome was not built in a day. To accomplish great things in life, consistent efforts are a must. Studying for 15 hours a day for three days and taking a break for the next three days wouldn’t help you in achieving success. Remember that a tortoise with consistent pace has higher chance of success rather than a rabbit with an inconsistent pace.
6. The hardest thing in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.” - Bertrand Russell
Knowledge and hard work are not sufficient to clear the CSE. To succeed, one has to do smart work. One should know, what are the most scoring areas in the preliminary and the main examination? One should know, which books have to be read and which books have to be avoided? To become an IAS officer with minimum efforts, aspirants have to be tactful.
7. Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius
In life, one cannot achieve success without facing failures. Don’t get disheartened when you are not able to clear the exam in an attempt. One must know that failure is a very normal thing. Analyse your mistakes in your previous attempt, learn from them and prepare an action plan and execute it. Success will be yours.
8. “Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.” - Benjamin Franklin
Aspirants must learn to use the available resources in an optimum manner. Focus on things that are in your hands and ignore what you can’t change. If your surrounding environment is not in your favour, don’t curse it; instead, develop a positive attitude and be a guiding light to others.
9. All persons ought to endeavor to follow what is right, and not what is established.” – Aristotile
Aspirants must take decisions on the basis of rationality. Don’t choose an optional just because many people are choosing it or don’t read a book or a magazine just because it is read by many people. You must make choices only after a careful analysis.
10. Arise, awake, and, stop not till the goal is reached. - Swami Vivekananda
Among all the quotes mentioned above, this quote from Swami Vivekananda is the most powerful and has played a great role in the success of many IAS officers. This quote propels you to be proactive and do the needful to succeed in the exam.
Conclusion
It is not necessary that all the quotes are equally applicable to all aspirants. Choose two or three quotes that have inspired you the most. Write them on a piece of paper and paste it in your study room. It will act as a constant reminder and help continue your preparation with a greater zeal.
