Quotes from Samuel Smiles

The reason why so little is done, is generally because so little is attempted.

It is not eminent talent that is required to ensure success in any pursuit, so much as purpose- not merely the power to achieve, but the will to labour energetically and perserveringly...Even if a man fail in his efforts, it will be a satisfaction to him to enjoy the consciousness of having done his best (p.205)

It is not then how much a man may know that is of importance, but the end and purpose for which he knows it (p.299).

Help from without is often enfeebling in its effects, but help from within invariably invigorates (p.9).

The Government that is ahead of the people will inevitably be dragged down to their level, as the Government that is behind them will in the long run be dragged up (p.10).

An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality; our desires being often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing.

The most influential of all the virtues are those which are the most in request for daily use. They wear the best, and last the longest.

Burke has truly said that "the human system which rests for its basis on the heroic virtues is sure to have a superstructure of weakness or of profligacy.

Persons with comparatively moderate powers will accomplish much, if they apply themselves wholly and indefatigably to one thing at a time.

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.

Idleness of the mind is much worse than that of the body: wit, without employment, is a disease - the rust of the soul, a plague, a hell itself.

The battle of life is, in most cases, fought uphill; and to win it without a struggle were perhaps to win it without honor. If there were no difficulties there would be no success; if there were nothing to struggle for, there would be nothing to be achieved.

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.

Length of years is no proper test of length of life. A man's life is to be measured by what he does in it and what he feels in it.

I'm as happy a man as any in the world, for the whole world seems to smile upon me!

Labour may be a burden and a chastisement, but it is also an honour and a glory. Without it, nothing can be accomplished.

He who labours not, cannot enjoy the reward of labour.

It is energy, the central element of which is will, that produces the miracles of enthusiasm in all ages. It is the mainspring of what is called force of character and the sustaining power of all great action.

Luck lies in bed, and wishes the postman would bring him news of a legacy; labor turns out at six, and with busy pen or ringing hammer lays the foundation of a competence.

Luck whines; labor whistles.

We often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do; and probably he who never made a mistake never made a discovery.

They who are the most persistent, and work in the true spirit, will invariably be the most successful.

The experience gathered from books, though often valuable, is but the nature of learning; whereas the experience gained from actual life is one of the nature of wisdom.

Marriage like government is a series of compromises. One must give and take, repair and restrain, endure and be patient.