Concentrate all your thought upon the work in hand. The sun's rays do… — Alexander Graham Bell · Smartyfair

Concentrate all your thought upon the work in hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus.

Alexander Graham Bell1847–1922 · inventor · 1800s-1900s Scotland & USAAlexander Graham Bell was a Scottish-American inventor best known for patenting the telephone in 1876, changing how people could talk to each other across long distances.4 quotes

Source foundPerseverance1800s

In plain words

Focused attention makes small efforts powerful, like sunlight through a magnifying glass.

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Where these words come from

How sure this is: 95% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up: Interview, "How They Succeeded" by Orison Swett Marden (1901), Bell Telephone Talk chapter.
Work: How They Succeeded (Orison Swett Marden)
Occasion: 1901
Sources checked: archive.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 21 August 20261901 book full text confirms exact wording (Wikiquote's paraphrase has minor word swaps)
en.wikiquote.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 21 August 2026Wikiquote sourced section, same citation

Nothing made from these words yet — Storyfaire is where they get made.

More from Alexander Graham Bell

You cannot force ideas. Successful ideas are the result of slow growth.

Alexander Graham Bell A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with. A man is what he makes of himself.

Alexander Graham Bell Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.

Alexander Graham Bell

More on perseverance

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

Confucius Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Lao Tzu Slow and steady wins the race.

Aesop Patience is the key to relief.Arabic proverb Drops of water hollow out a stone.

Ovid Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.