National progress is the sum of individual industry, energy, and uprightness, as national decay is of individual idleness, selfishness, and vice. Samuel Smiles More Quotes by Samuel Smiles More Quotes From Samuel Smiles The battle of life is, in most cases, fought uphill; and to win it without a struggle were perhaps to win it without honor. If there were no difficulties there would be no success; if there were nothing to struggle for, there would be nothing to be achieved. Samuel Smiles struggle success life It's not enough to have a dream, Unless you're willing to pursue it. It's not enough to know what's right, Unless you're strong enough to do it. It's not enough to learn the truth, Unless you also learn to live it. It's not enough to reach for love, Unless you care enough to give it Men who are resolved to find a way for themselves will always find opportunities enough; and if they do not find them, they will make them. Samuel Smiles strong courage dream Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever. Samuel Smiles medicine business time A great deal of what passes by the name of patriotism in these days consists of the merest bigotry and narrow-mindedness; exhibiting itself in national prejudice, national conceit, and national hatred. It does not show itself in deeds, but in boastings--in howlings, gesticulations, and shrieking helplessly for help--in flying flags and singing songs--and in perpetual grinding at the hurdy-gurdy of long-dead grievances and long-remedied wrongs. To be infested by such a patriotism as this is perhaps among the greatest curses that can befall any country. Samuel Smiles names song country Where there is a will there is a way. Samuel Smiles way Hope... is the companion of power, and the mother of success; for who so hopes has within him the gift of miracles. Samuel Smiles success inspirational life Even happiness itself may become habitual. There is a habit of looking at the bright side of things, and also of looking at the dark side. Dr. Johnson has said that the habit of looking at the best side of a thing is worth more to a man than a thousand pounds a year. And we possess the power, to a great extent, of so exercising the will as to direct the thoughts upon objects calculated to yield happiness and improvement rather than their opposites. Samuel Smiles dark exercise men Marriage like government is a series of compromises. One must give and take, repair and restrain, endure and be patient. Samuel Smiles marriage government giving Life will always be to a large extent what we ourselves make it. Samuel Smiles smart inspirational life The knowledge and experience which produce wisdom can only become a man's individual possession and property by his own free action; and it is as futile to expect these without laborious, painstaking effort, as it is to hope to gather a harvest where the seed has not been sown. Samuel Smiles effort wisdom men It is possible that the scrupulously honest man may not grow rich so fast as the unscrupulous and dishonest one; but the 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 lose all and save character. For character is itself a fortune. . . . Samuel Smiles honesty success character Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us. Samuel Smiles motivation hope inspirational Self-respect is the noblest garment with which a man can clothe himself, the most elevating feeling with which the mind can be inspired. Samuel Smiles self-respect self-esteem men The spirit of self-help is the root of all genuine growth in the individual; and, exhibited in the lives of many, it constitutes the true source of national vigour and strength. Help from without is often enfeebling in its effects, but help from within invariably invigorates Samuel Smiles growth self roots It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures. Precept, study, advice, and example could never have taught them so well as failure has done. Samuel Smiles success motivational positive No laws, however stringent, can make the idle industrious, the thriftless provident, or the drunken sober. Samuel Smiles sober idle law Good character is property. It is the noblest of all possessions. Samuel Smiles good-character possession character The very greatest things - great thoughts, discoveries, inventions - have usually been nurtured in hardship, often pondered over in sorrow, and at length established with difficulty. Samuel Smiles adversity sorrow discovery Luck lies in bed, and wishes the postman would bring him news of a legacy; labor turns out at six, and with busy pen or ringing hammer lays the foundation of a competence. Samuel Smiles luck wish lying Character is itself a fortune. Samuel Smiles fortune character
