“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”
Tom Jordan, Pre: Americas Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine, ISBN 0875964575
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Steve Prefontaine 1
United States long-distance runner 1951–1975Related quotes

“Liberality consists less in giving a great deal than in gifts well timed.”
La libéralité consiste moins à donner beaucoup qu'à donner à propos.
Aphorism 47; Variant translation: Generosity lies less in giving much than in giving at the right moment.
Les Caractères (1688), Du Coeur

“The best gift an educator can give is to get someone to become self-reflective.”
The Last Lecture (2007)

“The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.”
La façon de donner vaut mieux que ce qu'on donne.
Cliton, act I, scene i.
Le Menteur (The Liar) (1643)

pp 79 - 80.
Letter to his daughter (1978)
Context: Life is a love affair. There is a romance with every beauty of nature. I have no hesitation in saving that my most passionate love affair, my most thrilling romance has been with the people. There is an indissoluble marriage between politics and the people. That is why "Man is a political animal" and the state a political theatre. I have been on this stage of the masters for over twenty tumultuous years. I believe I still have a role to play. I believe the people still want me on this stage, but if I have to bow out, I give you the gift of my feelings. You will fight the fight better than me. Your speeches will be more eloquent than my speeches. Your commitment equally total. There will be more youth and vitality in your struggle. Your deeds ill be more daring. I transmit to you the blessing to the most blessed mission. This is the only present I can give you on your birthdays.

“I'd rather offer my life as a sacrifice than be necessary to anything.”
Anathemas and Admirations (1987)
As quoted in Perfecting Private Practice (2004) by Joan Neehall-Davidson, p. 95.
1970s and later
Source: book The Farther Reaches of Human