Orison Swett Marden Quotes
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The best thing about giving of ourselves is that what we get is always better than what we give. The reaction is greater than the action.
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The man who practises unselfishness, who is genuinely interested in the welfare of others, who feels it a privilege to have the power to do a fellow-creature a kindness - even though polished manners and a gracious presence may be absent - will be an elevating influence wherever he goes.
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Obstacles are like wild animals. They are cowards but they will bluff you if they can. If they see you are afraid of them... they are liable to spring upon you; but if you look them squarely in the eye, they will slink out of sight.
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Golden opportunities are nothing to laziness, but industry makes the commonest chances golden.
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Nearly all the great improvements, discoveries, inventions, and achievements which have elevated and blessed humanity have been the triumphs of enthusiasm.
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Wanted: a man who will not lose his individuality in a crowd, a man who has the courage of his convictions, who is not afraid to say 'No,' though all the world say 'Yes.'
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There are powers inside of you which, if you could discover and use, would make of you everything you ever dreamed or imagined you could become.
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If you do not feel yourself growing in your work and your life broadening and deepening, if your task is not a perpetual tonic to you, you have not found your place.
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When God calls a man to be upright and pure and generous, he also calls him to be intelligent and skillful, and strong and brave.
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When the mind has once formed the habit of holding cheerful, happy, prosperous pictures, it will not be easy to form the opposite habit.
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Believe with all your heart that you will do what you were made to do. Never for an instant harbor a doubt of it.
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The true doctrine is that labor - systematic, effective, congenial labor - is not only a necessity, but is the source of the highest enjoyment.
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True economy means the wisest expenditure of what we have, everything considered, looking at it from the broadest standpoint. It is not a good thing to save a nickel at the expenditure of twenty-five cents' worth of time.
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There is not a single indication in man's wonderful mechanism that he was created for a life of poverty. There is something larger and grander for him in the divine plan than perpetual slavery to the bread-winning problem.
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Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them.
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Nothing else so destroys the power to stand alone as the habit of leaning upon others. If you lean, you will never be strong or original. Stand alone or bury your ambition to be somebody in the world.
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The Universe is one great kindergarten for man. Everything that exists has brought with it its own peculiar lesson.
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No matter where your lot may be cast, no power on earth can keep you from making a man of yourself, a superb character, a masterpiece.
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When we are sure that we are on the right road there is no need to plan our journey too far ahead. No need to burden ourselves with doubts and fears as to the obstacles that may bar our progress. We cannot take more than one step at a time.
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A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work. Worry upsets our whole system; work keeps it in health and order.
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Every youth owes it to himself and to the world to make the most possible out of the stuff that is in him.
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Achievement is not always success, while reputed failure often is. It is honest endeavor, persistent effort to do the best possible under any and all circumstances.
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Regard every suggestion that your life may be a failure, that you are not made like those who succeed, and that success is not for you, as a traitor, and expel it from your mind as you would a thief from your house.
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One of the greatest boons that can ever come to a human being is to be born on a farm and reared in the country. Self-reliance and grit are oftenest country-bred.