Necessity, oftener than facility, has been the mother of invention; and the most prolific school of all has been the school of difficulty. Samuel Smiles More Quotes by Samuel Smiles More Quotes From Samuel Smiles The most influential of all the virtues are those which are the most in request for daily use. They wear the best, and last the longest. Samuel Smiles influentiallastsuse Time is of no account with great thoughts, which are as fresh to -day as when they first passed through their authors' minds ages ago. Samuel Smiles agemindtime Persons with comparatively moderate powers will accomplish much, if they apply themselves wholly and indefatigably to one thing at a time. Samuel Smiles accomplishpersonstime For want of self-restraint many men are engaged all their lives in fighting with difficulties of their own making. Samuel Smiles fightingselfmen Knowledge conquered by labor becomes a possession -a property entirely our own. Samuel Smiles possessionlaborknowledge There are many counterfeits of character, but the genuine article is difficult to be mistaken. Samuel Smiles genuinedifficultcharacter 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. Samuel Smiles gratitudedarksides Diligence, above all, is the mother of good luck. Samuel Smiles good-luckluckmother The great and good do no die even in this world. Embalmed in books, their spirits walk abroad. The book is a living voice. It is an intellect to which one still listens. Samuel Smiles voicebookworld Help from without is often enfeebling in its effects, but help from within invariably invigorates. Samuel Smiles genuine-smileseffectshelping It is the close observation of little things which is the secret of success in business, in art, in science, and in every pursuit of life. Samuel Smiles perspectivesecretart Those who aren't making mistakes probably aren't making anything. Samuel Smiles daringmaking-mistakesmistake Nothing is more common than energy in money-making, quite independent of any higher object than its accumulation. A man who devotes himself to this pursuit, body and soul, can scarcely fail to become rich. Very little brains will do; spend less than you earn; add guinea to guinea; scrape and save; and the pile of gold will gradually rise. Samuel Smiles independentsoulmen The egotist is next door to a fanatic. Samuel Smiles egotismnextdoors Great men stamp their mind upon their age and nation. Samuel Smiles agemindmen I see nothing quite conclusive in the art of temporal government, But violence, duplicity and frequent malversation. King rules or barons rule: The strong man strongly and the weak man by caprice. They have but one law, to seize the power and keep it. Samuel Smiles strongkingsart Purposes, like eggs, unless they be hatched into action, will run into rottenness. Samuel Smiles eggspurposerunning Sympathy is the golden key that unlocks the hearts of others. Samuel Smiles condolencesheartsympathy The healthy spirit of self-help created among working people would, more than any other measure, serve to raise them as a class; and this, not by pulling down others, but by levelling them up to a higher and still advancing standard of religion, intelligence, and virtue. Samuel Smiles selfclasspeople The life of a good man is at the same time the most eloquent lesson of virtue and the most severe reproof of vice. Samuel Smiles good-manvicesmen
