Samuel Smiles

Wherever formed, habit acts involuntarily, and without effort; and, it is only when you oppose it, that you find how powerful it has become. What…

Self-respect, self-help, application, industry, integrity—all are of the nature of habits, not beliefs. Principles, in fact, are but the names…

Even happiness itself may become habitual. There is a habit of looking at the bright side of things, and also of looking at the dark side. Dr.…

As daylight can be seen through very small holes, so little things will illustrate a person’s character. Indeed character consists in little acts,…

The cultivation of manner—though in excess it is foppish and foolish—is highly necessary in a person who has occasion to negociate with others in…

The gentleman is eminently distinguished for his self-respect. He values his character,—not so much of it only as can be seen of others, but as he…

A similar sensitiveness and high-mindedness characterised his noble relative, the Marquis of Wellesley, who, on one occasion, positively refused a…

Occasionally, the brave and gentle character may be found under the humblest garb. Here is an old illustration, but a fine one. Once on a time,…

Lord Chatham has said that the gentleman is characterised by his sacrifice of self and preference of others to himself in the little daily…

{31} Since the original publication of this book, the author has in another work, ‘The Lives of Boulton and Watt,’ endeavoured to portray in…

{43a} The following entry, which occurs in the account of monies disbursed by the burgesses of Sheffield in 1573 [?] is supposed by some to refer…

{44} There are, however, other and different accounts. One is to the effect that Lee set about studying the contrivance of the stocking-loom for…

{115} It was characteristic of Mr. Hume, that, during his professional voyages between England and India, he should diligently apply his spare time…

{201} While the sheets of this revised edition are passing through the press, the announcement appears in the local papers of the death of Mr.…

{216} Mansfield owed nothing to his noble relations, who were poor and uninfluential. His success was the legitimate and logical result of the…

{313} His old gardener. Collingwood’s favourite amusement was gardening. Shortly after the battle of Trafalgar a brother admiral called upon him, and…

{321} ‘Self-Development: an Address to Students,’ by George Ross, M.D., pp. 1–20, reprinted from the ‘Medical Circular.’ This address, to which we…

"Be thrifty, but not covetous; therefore give Thy need, thine honour, and thy friend his due, Never was scraper brave man. Get to _live_, Then live,…

"To catch Dame Fortune's golden smile, Assiduous wait upon her; And gather gear by ev'ry wile That's justify'd by Honour: Not for to hide it in a…

This book is intended as a sequel to "Self-Help," and "Character." It might, indeed, have appeared as an introduction to these volumes; for Thrift is…

The author has already referred to the Use and Abuse of Money; but the lesson is worthy of being repeated and enforced. As he has already observed,--…

Sir Henry Taylor has observed that "industry must take an interest in its own fruits, and God has appointed that the mass of mankind shall be moved…

Every man is bound to do what he can to elevate his social state, and to secure his independence. For this purpose he must spare from his means in…

The object of this book is to induce men to employ their means for worthy purposes, and not to waste them upon selfish indulgences. Many enemies have…

"Our plan is very different," said the bee; "we work hard in the summer, to lay by a store of food against the season when we foresee we shall want…

"Productive industry is the only capital which enriches a people, and spreads national prosperity and well-being. In all labour there is profit, says…

Thrift began with civilization. It began when men found it necessary to provide for to-morrow, as well as for to-day. It began long before money…

It is the savings of individuals which compose the wealth--in other words, the well-being--of every nation. On the other hand, it is the wastefulness…

There is no dispute as to the necessity for Private Economy. Everybody admits it, and recommends it. But with respect to Political Economy, there are…

Economy is not a natural instinct, but the growth of experience, example, and forethought. It is also the result of education and intelligence. It is…

The original savage knew nothing of agriculture. It was only in comparatively recent times that men gathered seeds for food, and saved a portion of…

All nature teaches that no good thing which has once been done passes utterly away. The living are ever reminded of the buried millions who have…

The mere material wealth bequeathed to us by our forefathers forms but an insignificant item in the sum of our inheritance. Our birthright is made up…

Our birthright, therefore, consists in the useful effects of the labours of our forefathers; but we cannot enjoy them unless we ourselves take part…

"A noble heart," says Barrow, "will disdain to subsist, like a drone, upon others' labours; like a vermin to filch its food out of the public granary…

Labour is not only a necessity, but it is also a pleasure. What would otherwise be a curse, by the constitution of our physical system becomes a…

Nature works with us. She provides the earth which we furrow; she grows and ripens the seeds that we sow and gather. She furnishes, with the help…

Men co-operate with each other for the mutual sustenance of all. The husbandman tills the ground and provides food; the manufacturer weaves tissues,…

Labour and skill applied to the vulgarest things invest them at once with precious value. Labour is indeed the life of humanity; take it away, banish…

There is a well-known story of an old farmer calling his three idle sons around him when on his deathbed, to impart to them an important secret.…

Labour is at once a burden, a chastisement, an honour, and a pleasure. It may be identified with poverty, but there is also glory in it. It bears…

There are many who murmur and complain at the law of labour under which we live, without reflecting that obedience to it is not only in conformity…

Who have helped the world onward so much as the workers; men who have had to work for necessity or from choice? All that we call…

All useful and beautiful thoughts, in like manner, are the issue of labour, of study, of observation, of research, of diligent elaboration. The…

The history of industry is uniform in the character of its illustrations. Industry enables the poorest man to achieve honour, if not distinction. The…

By the working man, we do not mean merely the man who labours with his muscles and sinews. A horse can do this. But _he_ is pre-eminently the working…

Having said so much of the importance and the necessity of industry, let us see what uses are made of the advantages derivable from it. It is clear…

It is the savings of the world that have made the civilization of the world. Savings are the result of labour; and it is only when labourers begin to…

But thrift is not a natural instinct. It is an acquired principle of conduct. It involves self-denial--the denial of present enjoyment for future,…

But a large proportion of men do not provide for the future. They do not remember the past. They think only of the present. They preserve nothing.…

It is the same with nations. The nations which consume all that they produce, without leaving a store for future production, have no capital. Like…

It is in this way that society mainly consists of two classes--the savers and the wasters, the provident and the improvident, the thrifty and the…

The thrifty build houses, warehouses, and mills. They fit manufactories with tools and machines. They build ships, and send them to various parts…

All this is the result of thrift. It is the result of economizing money, and employing it for beneficial purposes. The thriftless man has no share in…

"Most men work for the present, a few for the future. The wise work for both--for the future in the present, and for the present in the…

"The secret of all success is to know how to deny yourself.... If you once learn to get the whip-hand of yourself, that is the best educator. Prove…

Competence and comfort lie within the reach of most people, were they to take the adequate means to secure and enjoy them. Men who are paid good…

Society at present suffers far more from waste of money than from want of money. It is easier to make money than to know how to spend it. It is not…

There is no reason why the highly-paid workman of to-day may not save a store of capital. It is merely a matter of self-denial and private economy.…

Thrift of Time is equal to thrift of money. Franklin said, "Time is gold." If one wishes to earn money, it may be done by the proper use of time. But…