Who said “Every noble work is at first impossible.”?

Verified

Thomas Carlyle. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceFrom Past and Present (1843), Chapter XI : Labour

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: From Past and Present (1843), Chapter XI : Labour.

APA

Carlyle, T. (n.d.). Every noble work is at first impossible. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/30759-every-noble-work-is-at-first-impossible/

MLA

Carlyle, Thomas. “Every noble work is at first impossible.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/30759-every-noble-work-is-at-first-impossible/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Carlyle, Thomas. “Every noble work is at first impossible.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/30759-every-noble-work-is-at-first-impossible/.