A person with a clear purpose will make progress, even on the roughest road. A person with no purpose will make no progress, even on the smoothest road – Thomas Carlyle

Thomas Carlyle was a historian, philosopher and a leading writer of the Victorian era from the Scottish Lowlands.

Having a clear sense of purpose is a driving force for progress and success.

A person with a clear purpose will make progress, even on the roughest road. A person with no purpose will make no progress, even on the smoothest road.

Thomas Carlyle

A person with a clear purpose will make progress, even on the roughest road: When you have a clear sense of purpose or a defined goal, you will usually do your best to reach that goal. You will continue to make progress and move forward, even when faced with challenges or difficulties. The metaphorical “roughest road” represents obstacles, challenges or tough situations in life. Persistence and perseverance are typical behaviours of people with clear purpose.

A person with no purpose will make no progress, even on the smoothest road: Someone that lacks a clear purpose or goal, even when the path ahead is easy or smooth, they won’t make any significant progress. The “smoothest road” means an uncomplicated or straightforward journey. Why? you might ask. Well, it’s because without a purpose and direction, you do not know where to go, and end up wasting your time and energy going in circles.

To give you an example:
A school kid who wants to become a mechanic, will usually focus on the idea and end up becoming mechanic.
Another school kid who does not know what he wants to be, will consider multiple ideas, end up doing something he does like that much and then working often in a none related job, hating every second of it.