Samuel Smiles
Samuel Smiles
Samuel Smiles, was a Scottish author and government reformer who campaigned on a Chartist platform. But he concluded that more progress would come from new attitudes than from new laws. His masterpiece, Self-Help, promoted thrift and claimed that poverty was caused largely by irresponsible habits, while also attacking materialism and laissez-faire government. It has been called "the bible of mid-Victorian liberalism", and it raised Smiles to celebrity status almost overnight...
NationalityScottish
ProfessionAuthor
Date of Birth23 December 1812
Life is of little value unless it be consecrated by duty.
A woman's best qualities do not reside in her intellect, but in her affections. She gives refreshment by her sympathies, rather than by her knowledge.
All life is a struggle.... Under competition the lazy man is put under the necessity of exerting himself; and if he will not exert himself, he must fall behind. If he do not work, neither shall he eat.
Men whose acts are at variance with their words command no respect, and what they say has but little weight.
He who labours not, cannot enjoy the reward of labour.
Work is one of the best educators of practical character.
Those who have most to do, and are willing to work, will find the most time.
Help from without is often enfeebling in its effects, but help from within invariably invigorates.
The Romans rightly employed the same word (virtus) to designate courage, which is, in a physical sense, what the other is in a moral; the highest virtue of all being victory over ourselves.
Self-control is only courage under another form.
Manners are the ornament of action.
Great men are always exceptional men; and greatness itself is but comparative. Indeed, the range of most men in life is so limited that very few have the opportunity of being great.
The best school of discipline is home. Family life is God's own method of training the young, and homes are very much as women make them.
Cheerfulness is also an excellent wearing quality. It has been called the bright weather of the heart.