Good character is property. It is the noblest of all possessions. Samuel Smiles More Quotes by Samuel Smiles More Quotes From Samuel Smiles The crown and glory of life is character. It is the noblest possession of a man, constituting a rank in itself, and an estate in the general good-will; dignifying every station, and exalting every position in society. It exercises a greater power than wealth, and secures all the honor without the jealousies of fame. It carries with it an influence which always tell; for it is the result of proved honor, rectitude, and consistency-qualities which, perhaps more than any other, command the general confidence and respect of mankind. Samuel Smiles exercise character men One might almost fear," writes a thoughtful woman, "seeing how the women of to-day are lightly stirred up to run after some new fashion or faith, that heaven is not so near to them as it was to their mothers and grandmothers. Samuel Smiles fashion mother running England was nothing, compared to continental nations until she had become commercial... until about the middle of the last century, when a number of ingenious and inventive men, without apparent relation to each other, arose in various parts of the kingdom, succeeded in giving an immense impulse to all the branches of the national industry; the result of which has been a harvest of wealth and prosperity, perhaps without a parallel in the history of the world. Samuel Smiles numbers giving men No laws, however stringent, can make the idle industrious, the thriftless provident, or the drunken sober. Such reforms can only be effected by means of individual action, economy and self-denial; by better habits, rather than by greater rights. Samuel Smiles self rights mean Energy of will may be defined to be the very central power of character in a man. Samuel Smiles energy character men When typhus or cholera breaks out, they tell us that Nobody is to blame. That terrible Nobody! How much he has to answer for. More mischief is done by Nobody than by all the world besides. Samuel Smiles break-out done answers The principal industrial excellence of the English people lay in their capacity of present exertion for a distant object. Samuel Smiles excellence capacity people The iron rail proved a magicians' road. It virtually reduced England to a sixth of its size. It brought the country nearer to the town and the town to the country.... It energized punctuality, discipline, and attention; and proved a moral teacher by the influence of example. Samuel Smiles iron teacher country A woman's best qualities do not reside in her intellect, but in her affections. She gives refreshment by her sympathies, rather than by her knowledge. Samuel Smiles women quality giving Work is one of the best educators of practical character. Samuel Smiles educator practicals character He who labours not, cannot enjoy the reward of labour. Samuel Smiles rewards labour enjoy Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles. Samuel Smiles It is possible that the scrupulously honest man may not grow rich so fast as the unscrupulous and dishonest one; but success will be of a truer kind, earned without fraud or injustice. And even though a man should for a time be unsuccessful, still he must be honest; better to lose all and save character. For character is itself a fortune. Samuel Smiles The experience to be gathered from books, Though often valuable, is but of the nature of learning Whereas the experience gained from actual life, Is of the nature of wisdom And a small store of the latter Is worth vastly more than a stock of the former. Samuel Smiles Where there is a will there is a way," is an old and true saying. He who resolves upon doing a thing, by that very resolution often scales the barriers to it, and secures its achievement. To think we are able, is almost to be so - to determine upon attainment is frequently attainment itself. Samuel Smiles Progress, of the best kind, is comparatively slow. Great results cannot be achieved at once; and we must be satisfied to advance in life as we walk, step by step. Samuel Smiles walk best great life Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others. Samuel Smiles actions others good strength inspire A place for everything, and everything in its place. Samuel Smiles everything place Admiration of great men, living or dead, naturally evokes imitation of them in a greater or less degree. Samuel Smiles dead great living men Character is property. It is the noblest of possessions. Samuel Smiles possessions property character
