Samuel Smiles
There are many counterfeits of character, but the genuine article is difficult to be mistaken.Collection: Character
It will generally be found that men who are constantly lamenting their ill luck are only reaping the consequences of their own neglect, mismanagement, and improvidence, or want of application.Collection: Inspirational
The path of success in business is invariably the path of common-sense. Nothwithstanding all that is said about "lucky hits," the best kind of success in every man's life is not that which comes by accident. The only "good time coming" we are justified in hoping for is that which we are capable of making for ourselves.Collection: Success
Luck whines; labor whistles.Collection: Luck
For want of self-restraint many men are engaged all their lives in fighting with difficulties of their own making, and rendering success impossible by their own cross-grained ungentleness; whilst others, it may be much less gifted, make their way and achieve success by simple patience, equanimity, and self-control.Collection: Life
Childhood is like a mirror, which reflects in after life the images first presented to it.Collection: Children
So much does the moral health depend upon the moral atmosphere that is breathed, and so great is the influence daily exercised by parents over their children by living a life before their eyes, that perhaps the best system of parental instruction might be summed up in these two words: 'Improve thyself.'Collection: Children
Progress, of the best kind, is comparatively slowCollection: Moving
Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey towards it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us. ...Hope sweetens the memory of experiences well loved. It tempers our troubles to our growth and our strength. It befriends us in the dark hours, excites us in bright ones. It lends promise to the future and purpose to the past. It turns discouragement to determination. Samuel SmilesCollection: Determination
Though an inheritance of acres may be bequeathed, an inheritance of knowledge and wisdom cannot. The wealthy man may pay others for doing his work for him; but it is impossible to get his thinking done for him by another, or to purchase any kind of self-culture.Collection: Men
The great lesson of biography is to show what man can be and do at his best. A noble life put fairly on record acts like an inspiration to others.Collection: Inspiration
Cheerfulness is also an excellent wearing quality. It has been called the bright weather of the heart.Collection: Heart
Obedience, submission, discipline, courage--these are among the characteristics which make a man.Collection: Men
The great high-road of human welfare lies along the old highway of steadfast welldoing; and they who are the most persistent, and work in the truest spirit, will invariably be the most successful.Collection: Dream
There is no act, however trivial, but has its train of consequences.Collection: Train
Riches do not constitute any claim to distinction. It is only the vulgar who admire riches as riches.Collection: Riches
With will one can do anything.Collection: Inspirational
Mere political reform will not cure the manifold evils which now afflict society. There requires a social reform, a domestic reform, an individual reform.Collection: Evil
Opportunities ... fall in the way of every man who is resolved to take advantage of them.Collection: Fall
It is observed at sea that men are never so much disposed to grumble and mutiny as when least employed. Hence an old captain, when there was nothing else to do, would issue the order to "scour the anchor.Collection: Men
If we opened our minds to enjoyment, we might find tranquil pleasures spread about us on every side. We might live with the angels that visit us on every sunbeam, and sit with the fairies who wait on every flower.Collection: Flower
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.Collection: Art
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. But all play and no work makes him something worse.Collection: Boys
Self-respect is the noblest garment with which a man can clothe himself, the most elevating feeling with which the mind can be inspired.Collection: Self Esteem
Persons with comparatively moderate powers will accomplish much, if they apply themselves wholly and indefatigably to one thing at a time.Collection: Time
Those who aren't making mistakes probably aren't making anything.Collection: Mistake
The spirit of self-help is the root of all genuine growth in the individual; and, exhibited in the lives of many, it constitutes the true source of national vigour and strength. Help from without is often enfeebling in its effects, but help from within invariably invigoratesCollection: Self
Purposes, like eggs, unless they be hatched into action, will run into rottenness.Collection: Running
Character is itself a fortune.Collection: Character
Men cannot be raised in masses as the mountains were in he early geological states of the world. They must be dealt with as units; for it is only by the elevation of individuals that the elevation of the masses can be effectively secured.Collection: Men
Woman is the heart of humanity ... its grace, ornament, and solace.Collection: Women
For want of self-restraint many men are engaged all their lives in fighting with difficulties of their own making.Collection: Fighting
A fig-tree looking on a fig-tree becometh fruitful," says the Arabian proverb. And so it is with children; their first great instructor is example.Collection: Children
Marriage like government is a series of compromises. One must give and take, repair and restrain, endure and be patient.Collection: Marriage
The knowledge and experience which produce wisdom can only become a man's individual possession and property by his own free action; and it is as futile to expect these without laborious, painstaking effort, as it is to hope to gather a harvest where the seed has not been sown.Collection: Wisdom
Men whose acts are at variance with their words command no respect, and what they say has but little weight.Collection: Men
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. Dr. Johnson has said that the habit of looking at the best side of a thing is worth more to a man than a thousand pounds a year. And we possess the power, to a great extent, of so exercising the will as to direct the thoughts upon objects calculated to yield happiness and improvement rather than their opposites.Collection: Exercise
Commit a child to the care of a worthless, ignorant woman, and no culture in after-life will remedy the evil you have done.Collection: Children
Home is the first and most important school of character. It is there that every human being receives his best moral training, or his worst; for it is there that he imbibes those principles of conduct which endure through manhood, and cease only with life.Collection: Home
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.Collection: Time
Help from without is often enfeebling in its effects, but help from within invariably invigorates.Collection: Helping
The great leader attracts to himself men of kindred character, drawing them towards him as the loadstone draws iron.Collection: Leadership
Enthusiasm..the sustaining power of all great actionCollection: Enthusiasm For Life
To set a lofty example is the richest bequest a man can leave behind.Collection: Men
Good sense, disciplined by experience and inspired by goodness, issues in practical wisdom.Collection: Issues
The crown and glory of life is character. It is the noblest possession of a man, constituting a rank in itself, and an estate in the general good-will; dignifying every station, and exalting every position in society. It exercises a greater power than wealth, and secures all the honor without the jealousies of fame. It carries with it an influence which always tell; for it is the result of proved honor, rectitude, and consistency-qualities which, perhaps more than any other, command the general confidence and respect of mankind.Collection: Character
Woman, above all other educators, educates humanly. Man is the brain, but woman is the heart, of humanity.Collection: Heart
No good thing is ever lost. Nothing dies, not even life which gives up one form only to resume another. No good action, no good example dies. It lives forever in our race. While the frame moulders and disappears, the deed leaves an indelible stamp, and molds the very thought and will of future generations.Collection: Giving Up
Cecil's dispatch of business was extraordinary, his maxim being, "The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once."Collection: Business