Orison Swett Marden
Orison Swett Marden
Dr. Orison Swett Mardenwas an American inspirational author who wrote about achieving success in life and founded SUCCESS magazine in 1897. His writings discuss common-sense principles and virtues that make for a well-rounded, successful life. Many of his ideas are based on New Thought philosophy...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionWriter
CountryUnited States of America
hands giving excellence
Make it a life-rule to give your best to whatever passes through your hands. Stamp it with your manhood. Let superiority be your trademark...
dream giving-up block
There is a legend of an artist who long sought for a piece of sandalwood, out of which to carve a Madonna. He was about to give up in despair, leaving the vision of his life unrealized, when in a dream he was bidden to carve his Madonna from a block of oak wood which was destined for the fire. He obeyed and produced a masterpiece from a log of common firewood. Many of us lose great opportunities in life by waiting to find sandalwood for our carvings, when they really lie hidden in the common logs that we burn.
order giving generosity
We must give more in order to get more. It is the generous giving of ourselves that produces the generous harvest.
encouragement years giving
We can give our smiles, our encouragement, our sympathy to someone who needs them every day of the year.
inspiring fundraising giving
The best thing about giving of ourselves is that what we get is always better than what we give. The reaction is greater than the action.
fame greater stand
There is something greater than wealth, grander even than fame -- manhood, character, stand for success... nothing else really does.
wrestling men doe
No man fails who does his best.
inspirational motivational responsibility
The greatest thing a man can do in this world is to make the most possible out of the stuff that has been given him. This is success, and there is no other.
ability aid banks business capital concerns cultivate stand success
The ability to cultivate friends is a powerful aid to success. It is capital which will stand by one when panics come, when banks fail, when business concerns go to the wall.
begin industry mind soon suppose
Should you be so unfortunate as to suppose you are a genius, and that 'things will come to you,' it would be well to undeceive yourself as soon as possible. Make up your mind that industry must be the price of all you obtain, and at once begin to pay down.
drawings follow followed life possible vigorous visions
Our visions are the plans of the possible life structure, but they will end in plans if we do not follow them up with a vigorous effort to make them real, just as the architect's plans will end in his drawings if they are not followed up and made real by the builder.
bestow cries detect discover ears eyes fail hands hearts lack noble objects open work worthy
Open eyes will discover opportunities everywhere; open ears will never fail to detect the cries of those who are perishing for assistance; open hearts will never want for worthy objects upon which to bestow their gifts; open hands will never lack for noble work to do.
great himself life looks mar materials spoil until
No one can make the most of himself until he looks upon his life as a magnificent possibility, the materials for a great masterpiece, to mar or spoil which would be a great tragedy.
allow attain firmly holding ideal struggling
Never allow yourself to dwell upon your weaknesses, deficiencies, or failures. Holding firmly the ideal and struggling vigorously to attain it will help you to realize it.