Although strength should fail, the effort will deserve praise.

"Although strength should fail, the effort will deserve praise. In great enterprises the attempt is enough." Thus wrote Sextus Propertius, the Roman poet of the Augustan age, whose verses often blended passion with philosophy. His words are a hymn to courage, a reminder that in the grand struggles of life, it is not only the victory that is noble but the striving itself. For the human spirit was not made solely to succeed but to dare, to venture into the unknown, to offer its whole being to the pursuit of something greater than itself.

The ancients revered this principle. They told tales of heroes who fell in battle but were still crowned with glory. Leonidas and his three hundred Spartans perished at Thermopylae, yet their stand was immortalized as one of history’s greatest testaments to courage. Their strength failed against overwhelming numbers, but their effort inspired generations. Propertius’ words echo this eternal truth: in great enterprises, whether one triumphs or falls, the nobility lies in the attempt.

Consider also the voyages of Christopher Columbus. Though his path was uncertain and his knowledge incomplete, he set sail into waters that many feared. His journey was not flawless, nor without suffering, yet his attempt opened a new world. Here, too, is the spirit of Propertius’ teaching: that the act of daring itself, of stepping beyond fear and doubt, carries a value that endures even when perfection is absent. The attempt is enough, for it alters history, awakens imagination, and sets the course for those who follow.

There is a lesson in these words for all who live under the weight of failure. Too often, men and women shrink back from greatness because they fear they may not succeed. But Propertius teaches us that even if strength fails, the act of striving is itself victory. The farmer who tills a barren field shows more courage than one who never plants. The poet who writes words that may never be read has still offered something to the eternal. The warrior who falls in battle has still honored his cause. The worth of life is not only in outcomes but in endeavors.

Yet these words also remind us of humility. We must accept that human strength is limited, and not all dreams can be fulfilled. But that does not diminish the value of the dream. For in attempting the impossible, man touches the divine. The one who dares great enterprises becomes part of a larger story, even if his role ends before the final triumph. His attempt lays stones on the road others may finish. Thus, praise belongs not only to victors but to all who dared to begin.

The lesson is clear: never allow fear of failure to silence your calling. If your heart longs for something great—pursue it. Do not ask whether you will succeed; ask only whether the cause is worthy. For in the attempt lies dignity, in the striving lies greatness. Praise belongs to the one who moves, not the one who hides. And even if your strength falters, your effort will echo in the hearts of those who witness it.

Practically, this means embracing challenge in daily life. Begin the book, even if it may never be finished. Speak the truth, even if it may not be heard. Defend the weak, even if you may lose. Dare the enterprise, however uncertain its outcome. For every attempt at greatness leaves the world changed, whether by inspiration, by courage, or by the seeds sown for others to reap.

So let Propertius’ wisdom be passed down: “In great enterprises, the attempt is enough.” Tell your children that success is not measured by crowns or wealth, but by courage and effort. Remind your companions that failure is not disgrace if the cause was noble. And whisper to your own heart in times of doubt: “Though my strength may fail, my effort will shine.” For this is the path of the ancients—the path where to strive is itself the highest glory.