Diogenes still persisting, the cynic raised his knotty staff, and threatened to strike him if he did not depart.

"Strike!" said Diogenes; "you will not find a stick hard enough to conquer my perseverance." Antisthenes, overcome, had not another word to say, but forthwith accepted him as his pupil.
Energy of temperament, with a moderate degree of wisdom, will carry a man further than any amount of intellect without it.

Energy makes the man of practical ability.

It gives him VIS, force, MOMENTUM.

It is the active motive power of character; and if combined with sagacity and self-possession, will enable a man to employ his powers to the best advantage in all the affairs of life.
Hence it is that, inspired by energy of purpose, men of comparatively mediocre powers have often been enabled to accomplish such extraordinary results.