The man who succeeds above his fellows is the one who early in life, clearly discerns his object, and towards that object habitually directs his powers. Even genius itself is but fine observation strengthened by fixity of purpose. Every man who observes vigilantly and resolves steadfastly grows unconsciously into genius.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

Categorized in : Men Success Purpose

Genius is but fine observation strengthened by fixity of purpose.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

fine genius purpose

In how large a proportion of creatures is existence composed of one ruling passion, the most agonizing of all sensations--fear.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

agonizing passion fear

It is a wonderful advantage to a man, in every pursuite or avocation, to secure an adviser in a sensible woman. In woman there is at once a subtle delicacy of tact, and a plain soundness of judgement, which are rarely combined to an equal degree in man. A woman, if she be really your friend, will have a sensitive regard for your character, honor, repute. She will seldom counsel you to do a shabby thing: for a woman friend always desires to be proud of you.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

friendship character men

A sense of contentment makes us kindly and benevolent to others; we are not chafed and galled by cares which are tyrannical because original. We are fulfilling our proper destiny, and those around us feel the sunshine of our own hearts.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

sunshine destiny heart

Anger ventilated often hurries towards forgiveness; anger conceal... by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baro...

Anger ventilated often hurries towards forgiveness; anger concealed often hardens into revenge.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

concealed anger revenge

The magic of the tongue is the most dangerous of all spells.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

tongue magic language

And, of all the things upon earth, I hold that a faithful friend... by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baro...

And, of all the things upon earth, I hold that a faithful friend is the best.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

faithful earth friendship

Tears are akin to prayer - Pharisees parade prayers, imposters pa... by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baro...

Tears are akin to prayer - Pharisees parade prayers, imposters parade tears.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

pharisees tears prayer

Kindness like light speaks in the air it gilds.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

light air kindness

Let youth cherish sleep, the happiest of earthly boons, while yet it is at its command; for there cometh the day to all when "neither the voice of the lute nor the birds" shall bring back the sweet slumbers that fell on their young eyes as unbidden as the dews.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

eye sleep sweet

Say what we will, we may be sure that ambition is an error. Its wear and tear on the heart are never recompensed.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

errors ambition heart

Fate! There is no fate. Between the thought and the success God is the only agent. Fate is not the ruler, but the servant of Providence.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

agents providence fate

Happiness and virtue rest upon each other; the best are not only the happiest, but the happiest are usually the best.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

inner-peace virtue happiness

When a person is down in the world, an ounce of help is better th... by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baro...

When a person is down in the world, an ounce of help is better than a pound of preaching.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

helping-others pounds world

Dream manfully and nobly, and thy dreams shall be prophets.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

just-a-dream prophet dream

He whom God hath gifted with a love of retirement possesses, as i... by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baro...

He whom God hath gifted with a love of retirement possesses, as it were, an extra sense.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

retribution gifted retirement

Love is the business of the idle, but the idleness of the busy.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

indolence busy love

It is the glorious doom of literature that the evil perishes and... by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baro...

It is the glorious doom of literature that the evil perishes and the good remains.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

doom literature evil

Every man loves and admires his own country because it produced h... by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baro...

Every man loves and admires his own country because it produced him.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

admire men country

Remedy your deficiencies, and your merits will take care of themselves. Every man has in him good and evil. His good is his valiant army, his evil is his corrupt commissariat; reform the commissariat and the army will do its duty.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

army character men