Original artwork, not a still
Misattributed to Naruto Uzumaki
Hard work is worthless for those that don't believe in themselves.
— Naruto ‧ 2002
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
A pep talk that sounds like a poster, and it is hard to hear it as anything else: it comes from the most earnest teacher in anime to the student who trains hardest and was told it would never be enough. The line works because it doesn't promise success, only that effort without belief is wasted. It circulates endlessly as a motivational quote, almost always under Naruto's name.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for NarutoShow the scene
The line is not Naruto's. In the Chunin Exams arc of the original Naruto, in episode 49, "Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu!" (Japanese broadcast 10 September 2003, English dub 2006), the story cuts to a flashback of Rock Lee confiding to his teacher Might Guy. Lee admits he fears he will never catch up with his teammate Neji, however hard he trains. Guy answers that all the effort is pointless if you don't believe in yourself, then tells Lee that perseverance is a genius of its own. Back in the present, Lee opens the Third Gate against Gaara.
Sources (2)
- Wikiquote: Naruto, Lee and Guy flashbackSeason 2, 'Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu!' [2.14]Reference checked
- Narutopedia: Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu!Infobox and SynopsisReference checked
Context reviewed
