Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.
It's always too early to quit.
To be a good loser is to learn how to win.
The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
If you think you can do it, you can.
Be thine own palace, or the world's thy jail.
Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.
You never know what motivates you.
Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.
Know or listen to those who know.
Your political reputation affects how likely allies are to trust you, and what kind of deals they'll offer at the negotiating table. There's also some emotional response in there, so factions do bear grudges. Just like the real thing.