A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules.

Anthony Trollope was famously methodical about work, especially his writing routine. He kept strict hours and word-count targets, often drafting in the early morning before his duties in the British Post Office. The remark reflects the Victorian era’s admiration for industry and self-discipline, but it is also distinctly personal: Trollope defended steady, repeatable effort against romantic notions of genius or occasional bursts of heroic labor. The image of a “spasmodic Hercules” contrasts mythic strength with unreliable exertion, underscoring Trollope’s belief that consistent habits—not intermittent feats—produce lasting results in writing and in life.

The quote argues for the power of consistency over intensity. A “small daily task” represents modest, sustainable effort that accumulates; “really daily” stresses regularity as the crucial ingredient. By contrast, the “spasmodic Hercules” evokes someone capable of great exertion but only in irregular bursts—impressive in the moment yet ultimately less productive. Trollope’s point is practical and moral: discipline turns ordinary capacity into achievement, while reliance on occasional inspiration or heroic overwork tends to waste potential. The line also demystifies creativity, implying that art and accomplishment are built through routine rather than sudden genius.