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“How
to Develop Self-Confidence
In Speech and Manner” eBook Online Version
The pursuit of money is still intense. Probably the most difficult and unsatisfactory way to obtain it is to aim at it directly. We know a successful man who seldom thinks of money. His theory is that by devoting his time and energies to good work the financial results will take care of themselves. For over ten years he has persistently followed this plan and not once has he been without an abundance. His joy in his work is incomparably greater than that of the man who is merely money mad. Happy is the man who has found out early in life that the accumulation of money for its own sake is not a worthy ambition.
If you have books, read them; if you have friendships, strengthen them; if you have money, use it intelligently; if you have time, spend it wisely; if you have talents, cultivate them. Men often achieve greatness through turning small things to great account. "Not failure, but low-aim, is crime," says Lowell.
When a distinguished musician was complimented upon his apparently natural genius, he replied: "Ah, but you do not know with what difficulty this ease has been acquired." Sir Joshua Eeynolds was asked how long it had taken him to paint a certain picture. "All my life," he answered. The man who makes the best of his talent is constantly building reserve power. Such a man was Webster. In the great debate with Hayne, when he was suddenly thrown upon his own resources, he incorporated into his speech material that was prepared long before and had been reposing in his desk. Modesty does not mean weakness and self-effacement. It is one of the supreme qualities of manhood. It dislikes sham and pretense. It is an enemy to all that is unreal. It quickly recognizes truth and sincerity, but is quick to condemn the mean and false. Montaigne said: "The only thing I fear, is fear." The courageous man is at a premium, but the wibbly-wobbly person has always been and ever ill be in disfavor. The world awards its prizes to men of firmness and self-reliance. Fear has forged more chains for men than iron links have ever done. To see the best side of life is more a matter of habit than of heredity. A man has a sense of personal uplift when he shows sincere appreciation toward others. Like mercy, "it blesseth him that gives, and him that receives." A man's world is governed by his likes and dislikes, and what he looks for that he invariably finds. We should be eager to possess the great qualities of mind and heart that lift some men above the common crowd. And if we think as we should of our friends, we shall have no time for bitterness toward our foes.
Some one who knows has said that if you would have a friend, be one. Thoreau describes friendship as a plant so delicate that the least unworthiness vitiates it. It is a commingling of sympathy and unselfishness. When Charles Kingsley was asked the secret of his beautiful life he answered: "I had a friend." A great friendship is a priceless possession, and lucky is the man who can claim more than one. Schiller says:
If thou hast something, bring thy goods! A fair return be thine! If thou art something, bring thy soul and interchange with mine!
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