How to Succeed

In speaking of success, I do not wish it to be understood as advancing the idea that the only success in life is to make money and get gain. Many of the most successful lawyers, divines, statesmen, physicians, authors, and warriors in ancient and modern times lived, and died poor. But I do say, very few men succeed in any pursuit or profession who do not work, toil, and struggle for success.

Success, when accompanied by wealth, brings with it cares and responsibilities that few can realize. It is more difficult to use money wisely than it is to make it. Too frequently it is the custom of men of wealth to hide away their gold, as it were, with the delusive hope of making benevolent uses of it when about to enter the cold stream of Jordan, forgetting that it is more difficult for a man "who trusts in riches" to enter the kingdom of Heaven, "than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle."

Money, however, possesses a magnetic power, and stirs the world from centre to circumference, and influences the destinies of nations as well as that of individuals.

It is the object which has engrossed the mind and affections of all ages, and has and ever will give an impulse to trade, commerce, and manufactures. We should all be co-laborers in the great field of commerce.

If you or I succeed by honest efforts, our neighbors, and the whole community will share in our prosperity. It is evidence of a contracted mind that looks with envy upon the honest success of a neighbor.

You should cultivate habits of attention, and be on the alert for opportunities. Do not fold your hands, like Micawber, and always be waiting for something to turn up. If you have not business, make it.

Those who work with their hands or brains are far happier than the idle, for sweet is the bread earned by the sweat of the face. Industry and enterprise are more important to success than brilliant talents.

It is surprising how much one of comparatively moderate talents can accomplish by persistent efforts, and patient, persevering energy. Honest success is salutary not only to individuals, but to the whole country.

We must look to the young to restore our wasted fortunes. Youth is the time to toil and struggle. Strive, and continue to strive, if you wish to see and enjoy the fruits of your labor. It is the period for making provision for old age. I have long since learned, that anything worth having is worth working for.

Work that brings honest accumulation is honorable.

We should all work while we live and make a diligent use of life while any power remains. How distressing it is to see in an age of progress, and in a land that yields so readily to the hand of the industrious, so much poverty, distress, and want. Even the ant, "which hath no guide, overseer or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."

A great many of the troubles and wants of life arise from a careless discharge of your duties, and an aversion to work, also a lack of energy and forethought, and a wasteful expenditure of money. It is indeed bad for a man, who has a large family, to be poor and not understand the value of time and money.

One of the first things that drew my attention to Charleston, as a business place, was the late hours at which merchants began their day's work. I concluded that if they could make a living beginning the day at 9 o'clock, I could make more than a living by starting some hours earlier.

As important as a collegiate education may be to young men, and I hereby admit the importance of parents bestowing the best possible [...]