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“How
to Develop Self-Confidence
In Speech and Manner” eBook Online Version
Character is more than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live, as well as to think. Goodness outshines genius, as the sun makes the electric light cast a shadow.--Emerson.
Sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.--Anon.
Fail, yet rejoice, because no less the failure that makes thy distress may teach another full success.
It may be that in some great need thy life's poor fragments are decreed to help build up a lofty deed.
Thy heart should throb in vast content, thus knowing that it was meant as chord in one great instrument;
That even the discord in thy soul may make completer music roll from out the great harmonious whole.--A. A. Proctor.
Resolve, resolve! and to be men aspire, exert that noblest privilege, alone here to mankind indulged; control desire; let God-like reason, from her sovereign throne, speak the commanding word: "I will," and it is done.--Thompson.
Let your courage be as keen, but, at the same time, as polished, as your sword.--Sheridan.
O friends, be men, and let your hearts be strong, and let no warrior in the heat of fight do what may bring him shame in others' eyes; for more of those who shrink from shame are safe than fall in battle, while with those who flee is neither glory nor reprieve from death.--Homer.
True bravery is shown by performing without witness what one might be capable of doing before all the world.--La Bochefoucauld.
All languages and literatures are full of general observations on life, both as to what it is, and how to conduct one's self in it; observations which everybody knows, which everybody repeats, or hears with acquiescence, which are received as truisms, yet of which most people first truly learn the meaning, when experience, generally of a painful kind, has made it a reality to them. How often, when smarting under some unforeseen misfortune or disappointment, does a person call to mind some proverb or common saying, familiar to him all his life, the meaning of which, if he had ever before felt it as he does now, would have saved him from the calamity.--John Stuart Mill.
Self-consciousness is one of the greatest hindrances to the best manner. Do not imagine that every one is looking at you. Do not try to be some one else, but be simply and naturally yourself; second, do not be in a hurry. "Whoever," says Lord Chesterfield, "is in a hurry shows that the thing that he is about is too big for him." To be courteous does not take much time, but it takes a little. He who would be courteous must not be in such haste that he can not be sympathetic, nor so absorbed that he can not be considerate of others.
--Lyman Abbott.
As to moral courage, I have very rarely met with the two-o 'clock-in-the-morning courage. I mean, unprepared courage, that which is necessary on an unexpected occasion, and which, in spite of the most unforeseen events, leaves full freedom of judgment and decision.--Napoleon.
For they can conquer who believe they can--Dryden.
Confidence imparts a wondrous inspiration to its possessor. It bears him on in security, either to meet no danger, or to find matter of glorious trial.--Milton.
Under what shining colors does Demosthenes represent Philip; where the orator apologizes for his own administration, and justifies that pertinacious love of liberty, with which he had inspired the Athenians. '' I beheld Philip,'' says he,'' he with whom was your contest, resolutely, while in pursuit of empire and dominion, exposing himself to every wound; his eye gored, his neck wrested, his arm, his thigh pierced, whatever part of his body fortune should seize on, that cheerfully relinquishing; provided that, with what remained, he might live in honor and renown. And shall it be said that he, born in Pella, a place heretofore mean and ignoble, should be inspired with so high an ambition and thirst of fame: while you, Athenians," etc. These praises excite the most lively admiration; but the views presented by the orator carry us not, we see, beyond the hero himself, nor ever regard the future advantageous consequences of his valor.--Hume.
A decent boldness ever meets with friends.--Homer.
Courage is the armed sentinel that guards liberty, innocence and right.--Anon.
Hardly less than mental ability are bodily health and vigor necessary to success. In the learned professions, especially, great constitutional strength and power of endurance are absolutely indispensable. The demand on the vitality of a successful clergyman, lawyer, doctor, architect, or engineer, is continuous and exhausting. Talents alone, however fine, will not insure success. The ax may be sharp, and may be "driven home" with the utmost force; but the power of dealing reiterated and prolonged blows is equally needful. In other words, the mind may be keen, carefully cultured, and full of knowledge and resources; but, to achieve great results it must be capable of sustained energy--of intense and long-continued labor.--William Mathews.
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