Virginia Woolf, a prominent English modernist writer, expressed ideas about effort and reward in her quote. She believes that when we apologize or work strenuously, we might only receive a glimpse of reward or a short break. This statement reflects how sometimes tremendous effort doesn't match the small reward we gain. Woolf challenges us to examine whether this situation is just. Many people find her words resonate with their own experiences, as they highlight the disparity between effort and outcome. Woolf's quote provokes thought and discussion on what fairness truly means in life.