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Section XIX. Of Success in Life.

186. Q. What are the essentials of success in life?

A. The first essential of true success in life is, as we have already learned, honesty and integrity; for success gained by dishonest means takes away our self-respect.

187. Q. What further effect has dishonesty?

A. By taking away our good name it destroys the confidence of others in our statements or promises, and thus lessens our influence.

188. Q. Name the other essentials of success?

A. Besides honesty, the other essentials of success are fixity of purpose, thrift, and application.

189. Q. What is fixity of purpose?

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A. By fixity of purpose is meant having a clear and distinct object in view, and working to secure it.

190. Q. What will follow from this?

A. Those who have a fixed purpose in life do not waste their time and energies on useless pursuits: having selected an object, they work to secure it.

191. Q. Are such always successful?

A. Though we cannot command success, he is more likely to be successful who aims at an object than he who works from day to day with no definite purpose in view.

192. Q. What then should we do?

A. We should set before us an honourable object in life, and endeavour to secure it by honest means, and with due respect for the rights of others.

193. Q. How does thrift secure success?

A. Thrift leads to habits of frugality and economy, and thus teaches us to save what many others waste.

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194. Q. What follows?

A. Those who are thrifty gradually increase their store of wealth, and thus acquire increased power, as they are able to assist and employ others, and can deal to greater advantage than those who are without means.

195. Q. What is application?

A. Application means industry and perseverance in following after an object.

196. Q. How does this tend to success?

A. A man who applies himself to his calling uses all his skill and energy to become proficient in it.

197. Q. In what ways may this proficiency be attained?

A. By observation, study, and energy; or, briefly, by doing as well as we can all we undertake.

198. Q. What means should we adopt to this end?

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A. We should bring our whole energy to bear on our calling, and endeavour to become as perfect in it as possible.

199. Q. How then do fixity of purpose, thrift and application combine with honesty to secure success?

A. By fixity of purpose we are led to work with and for an object; by thrift we save and keep what others waste, and thus make the best of our opportunities; and by application we improve our skill and knowledge, and thus are able to work to the best advantage.

200. Q. If we attain success, how should we demean ourselves?

A. If successful we should aim at using well what we possess: a sense of gratitude should lead us to think kindly of those who are less fortunate, and to do what we can to lessen the misery of the poor and distressed.