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Preface
Quotations
1. Success and Failure
2. Concentration of Effort
3. Self-Reliance
4. Economy of Time
5. Causes of Failure
Some succeed while others fail. This is a recognized fact; yet history tells us that seven-tenths of our most successful men began life poor. As our title indicates, we shall endeavor to show "why some succeed while others fail." Knowing that everybody desires success, and recognizing the old adage, "Example is the best of teachers," we have selected representative characters from the multitude of successful men who have climbed the ladder of success, beginning at the bottom round. These we have followed from childhood to manhood, dwelling at length on the traits of character that have made them so rich and successful, believing that a careful study will convince all that the proverbial "luck" had little to do with it. On the contrary, one is taught those lessons of self-helpfulness and self-reliance which are so essential to success in life's struggles. It is fearful to think how many of our young people are drifting without an aim in life, and do not comprehend that they owe mankind their best efforts. We are all familiar with the parable of the slothful servant who buried his talent—all may profit by his example. To those who would succeed, we respectfully present this volume.
A man, to succeed, must possess the necessary equanimity of temperament to conceive an idea, the capacity to form it into some tangible shape, the ingenuity to put it into practical operation, the ability to favorably impress others with its merits, and the power of will that is absolutely necessary to force it to success.
—Thomas A. Scott.
Labor rids us of three evils.—Tediousness, Vice and Poverty.
—Carlyle.
"Never start upon an undertaking until you are sure it is practicable and ought to be done, and then let nothing stand long in the way of accomplishing that undertaking. It is better to deserve success than to have it; few deserve it who do not attain it."
"There is no failure in this country for those whose personal habits are good, and who follow some honest calling industriously, unselfishly, and purely. If one desires to succeed, he must pay the price—work!"
In order to succeed, a man must have a purpose fixed, then let his motto be victory or death.
—Henry Clay.
"Be liberal but cautious; enterprising but careful."
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
Fail!—Fail?
In the lexicon of youth, which Fate reserves for a bright manhood, there is no such word
As—fail!
—"Richelieu."
Benjamin Franklin has truly said: The road to wealth is as plain as the road to mill.
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