Meaning of “The greatest achievement was at first and for…”

As a Man Thinketh, “Visions and Ideals.”

As a Man Thinketh, chapter “Visions and Ideals”; this is an excerpt from Allen’s longer exhortation to remain true to constructive ideals.

Ulysses, in the closing address to the mariners.

If—, third stanza; the surrounding passage describes losing one’s winnings and beginning again.

The Gardener, poem 5, translated by Tagore from Bengali; Project Gutenberg #6686. The poem repeatedly addresses the “Great Beyond” and “Far-to-seek,” so the hope is lyrical longing rather than a factual prediction.

The Secret Garden (1911), Chapter X, “Dickon.” Mary tells Dickon that this is a secret garden and that she is the only person who wants it to be alive. The sentence belongs to Mary Lennox’s fictional discovery/care plot rather than to Burnett speaking autobiographically.