Orison Swett
Orison Swett
characters controls destinies strongest
Charm of personality is a divine gift that sways the strongest characters and sometimes even controls the destinies of nations.
clear constant
By constant contemplation of excellence, we clear our selfhood of all dross and impurities.
exhausting health keeps upsets work worry
A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work. Worry upsets our whole system; work keeps it in health and order.
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.
blessed elevated great humanity nearly triumphs
Nearly all the great improvements, discoveries, inventions, and achievements which have elevated and blessed humanity have been the triumphs of enthusiasm.
abandon frankly men money ruined
More men are ruined by underestimating the value of money than by overestimating it. Let us, then, abandon the affectation of despising money, and frankly own its value.