Mysterious Island-Chapter 2

During February 1865, General Grant tried to take Richmond by surprise, but failed. As a result, several of his officers fell into enemy hands and were imprisoned in the city. One of the most prominent is Cyrus Smith of the Federal Staff. He is a Massachusetts native and a profound scholar. During the war, the government assigned him to be in charge of the railway with strategic significance at that time. He is an out-and-out northerner, skinny, about forty-five, with short hair and a thick beard that has turned gray. His head looks straight, as if he was born on a medal. His eyes are bright and his mouth is serious. From his face, he looks like a radical scholar. He is an engineer who started with a hammer and axe, just like a general from the army. He is not only clever in brain, but also handy. His muscles look strong. He is an activist and thinker. He is enthusiastic and optimistic, and nothing can beat him. He is well-informed and good at improvising. He can keep a clear head, unlimited confidence and strong perseverance at any critical moment. These three conditions make him his master forever. He often quotes the words of willem van oranje in the/kloc-6th century as his motto: "Even if there is no hope of success, I can undertake the task and persevere."

The last sentence was also translated as "I don't need hope to start, and I don't need effective persistence."