Why Some Succeed and Others Fail

Life's highway is strewn with failures, just as the sea bed is strewn with wrecks.

The road of life is littered with failures, just as the sea floor is littered with wrecks.

A large percentage of those who embark in commercial undertakings fail, according to the records of commercial agencies.

According to commercial agency records, a large percentage of people who start businesses fail.

Why do men fail? Why do adventures into business, happily launched, terminate in disastrous wreck?

Why do men fail? Why do business ventures that start out well end in disaster?

Why do the few succeed and the many fail? Some failures are relative and not absolute; a partial success is achieved; a success that goes limping along through life; but the goal of ambition is unreached, the heart's desire unattained.

Why do a few succeed while many fail? Some failures are relative, not absolute. Some people achieve partial success, limping along through life. But they never reach their goals or attain what their hearts desire.

There are so many elements that enter into business that it is impossible to more than indicate them. Health, natural aptitude, temperament, disposition, a right start and in the right place, hereditary traits, good judgment, common sense, level-headedness, etc., are all factors which enter into one's chance of success in life. The best we can do in one chapter is to hang out the red flag over the dangerous places; to chart the rocks and shoals, whereon multitudes of vessels, which left the port of youth with flying colors, favoring breezes and every promise of a successful voyage, have been wrecked and lost.

So many elements affect business that we can only point them out. Health, natural ability, temperament, disposition, and getting the right start in the right place all matter. So do inherited traits, good judgment, common sense, and a clear head. All these and other factors affect a person's chance of success in life. In one chapter, the best we can do is raise a red flag over the dangers. We can map the rocks and shallows where countless ships have been wrecked and lost. Those ships left the port of youth with flags flying, favorable winds, and every promise of a successful voyage.

The lack of self-confidence and lack of faith in one's ideas in one's mission in life have caused innumerable failures.

A lack of confidence in oneself and faith in one's ideas and mission in life has caused countless failures.

People who don't get on and who don't know why, do not realize the power of trifles to mar a career, what little things are killing their business or injuring their profession; do not realize how little things injure their credit; such as the lack of promptness in paying bills, or meeting a note at the bank.

People who don't get ahead and don't know why often fail to see how small things can ruin a career. They don't realize what little things are harming their business or profession. Nor do they realize how small things can hurt their credit, such as paying bills or bank notes late.

Many men fail because they thought they had the field and were in no danger from competition, so that the heads of the firm took it easy, or because some enterprising up-to-date, progressive young man came to town, and, before they realized it, took their trade away from them, because they got into a rut, and didn't keep up-to-date stock and an attractive store.

Many men fail because they think they have the market to themselves and face no danger from competition. As a result, the heads of the firm take it easy. Or an enterprising, modern, progressive young man comes to town and takes away their customers before they realize it. They lose customers because they have fallen into a rut and have not kept their stock up to date or their store attractive.

They don't realize what splendid salesmen, an attractive place of business, up-to-date methods, and courteous treatment of customers mean.

They don't realize the value of excellent salespeople, an attractive place of business, modern methods, and courteous treatment of customers.

Men often fail because they do not realize that creeping paralysis, caused by dry rot, is gradually strangling their business. Many business men fail because they dare not look their business conditions in the face when things go wrong, and do not adopt heroic methods, but continue to use palliatives, until the conditions are beyond cure, even with a surgeon's knife.

Men often fail because they do not realize that dry rot is slowly paralyzing and strangling their business. When things go wrong, many businessmen fail because they dare not face the condition of their business. Instead of taking drastic action, they keep using temporary fixes. Eventually, the problems become impossible to cure, even with a surgeon's knife.

Lots of men fail because they don't know how to get rid of deadwood in their establishment, or retain non-productive employees, who with slip-shod methods, and indifference drive away more business than the proprietors can bring in by advertising.

Many men fail because they do not know how to get rid of unproductive employees in their businesses. These employees are careless and indifferent, driving away more business than the owners can bring in through advertising.

Many other men fail because they tried bluff in place of capital, and proper training, or because they didn't keep up with the times.

Many other men fail because they rely on bluff instead of capital and proper training, or because they fail to keep up with the times.

Lots of young people fail to get ahead and plod along in mediocrity because they never found their place. They are round pegs in square holes. Others are not capable of coping with antagonism. Favoritism of proprietors and managers has killed many a business. A multitude of men fail to get on because they take themselves too seriously. They deliver their goods in a hearse, employ surly, unaccommodating clerks. Bad business manners have killed many a business. Slave-driving methods, inability to get along with others, lack of system, defective organizing ability, have cut short many a career.

Many young people fail to get ahead and drift through life without achieving much because they never find their place. They are round pegs in square holes. Others cannot cope with opposition. Favoritism by owners and managers has ruined many businesses. Many men fail to get ahead because they take themselves too seriously. They deliver their goods in a hearse and employ unfriendly, unhelpful clerks. Bad business manners have ruined many businesses. Slave-driving methods, an inability to get along with others, poor systems, and poor organizational skills have cut many careers short.

A great many men are ruined by "side-lines" things outside their regular vocation. Success depends upon efficiency, and efficiency is impossible without intense, persistent concentration. Many traveling men think that they can pick up a little extra money and increase their income by taking up some "side-line." But it is always the small man, never the big one, who has a "side-line." Many of these men remain small, and are never able to rise to a big salaried position because they split up their endeavor, dissipate their energy. "Side-lines" are dangerous because they divert the mind, scatter effort, and nothing great can be accomplished without intense concentration.

A great many men are ruined by "side-lines", or work outside their regular occupation. Success depends on efficiency, and efficiency is impossible without intense, sustained concentration. Many traveling salesmen think they can earn extra money by taking on a "side-line." But it is always the small man, never the big one, who has a "side-line." Many of these men remain small and never rise to a high-paying position because they divide their efforts and waste their energy. "Side-lines" are dangerous because they distract the mind and scatter effort. Nothing great can be accomplished without intense concentration.

Many people are always driving success away from them by their antagonistic manner, and their pessimistic thought. They work for one thing, but expect something else. They don't realize that their mental attitude must correspond with their ambition; that if they are working hard to get on, they must expect prosperity, and not kill their prospects by their adverse mental attitude—their doubts and fears.

Many people constantly drive success away with their hostile manner and pessimistic thoughts. They work for one thing, but expect something else. They don't realize that their attitude must match their ambition. If they are working hard to get ahead, they must expect prosperity. They must not destroy their prospects with a negative attitude, doubts, and fears.

Lots of men are ruined by "a sure thing," an inside tip, buying stocks on other people's judgment.

Lots of men are ruined by "a sure thing," an inside tip, or buying stocks based on other people's judgment.

Many people fail because they lose their grit after they fail, or when they get down, they don't know how to get up. Many are victims of their moods, slaves of despondency. Courage and an optimistic outlook upon life are imperative to the winner. Fear is fatal to success. Many a young man fails because he can not multiply himself in others, can not delegate his work, is lost in detail. Other men fail in an attempt to build up a big business; their minds are not trained to grasp large subjects, to generalize, to make combinations; they are not self-reliant, depending upon other people's judgment and advice.

Many people fail because they lose their determination after a setback. When they fall, they do not know how to get back up. Many are victims of their moods, slaves of despair. To win, you must have courage and an optimistic outlook on life. Fear is fatal to success. Many young men fail because they cannot extend their reach through others or delegate their work. They get lost in the details. Other men fail when they try to build a large business. Their minds are not trained to grasp large subjects, see the big picture, or bring things together. They lack self-reliance and depend on other people's judgment and advice.

Many a man who works hard himself, does not know how to handle men, and does not know how to use other people's brains.

Many men work hard themselves but do not know how to manage others or make use of their ideas.

Thousands of youths fail to get on because they never fall in love with their work. Work that is drudgery never succeeds.

Thousands of young people fail to make progress because they never fall in love with their work. Work that feels like drudgery never succeeds.

Fifty years ago, a stable-boy cleaned the horses of a prosperous hotel proprietor, who drove into Denver for supplies. That boy became Governor of Colorado, and later the hotel-keeper, with shattered fortunes, was glad to accept a place as watchman at the hand of the former stable-boy.

Fifty years ago, a stable boy cleaned the horses of a wealthy hotel owner who drove into Denver for supplies. The boy became Governor of Colorado. Later, the hotel owner lost his fortune and was glad to accept a job as a watchman from the former stable boy.

Life is made up of such contrasts. Every successful man, in whatever degree and in whatever line, has, at every step of his life, been on seemingly equal terms with hundreds of his fellows who, later, reached no such measure of success as he. Every miserable failure has had at some time as many chances, and at least as much possibility of cultivating the same qualities, as the successful people have had at some time in their lives.

Life is full of such contrasts. Every successful man, whatever his field or degree of success, has faced this contrast. At every step in his life, he has seemed to be on equal footing with hundreds of others. Yet those people later achieved less success than he did. Every miserable failure has, at some point, had just as many chances as successful people have had. He has also had at least as much opportunity to develop the same qualities.

Since humble birth and handicaps of every sort and degree have not prevented success in the determined man; since want has often spurred to needed action and obstacles but train to higher leaping, why should men fail? What causes the failures and half-successes that make up the generality of mankind?

A humble birth and all kinds and degrees of disadvantage have not stopped a determined man from succeeding. Need has often spurred people to take necessary action, and obstacles train them to leap higher. So why do men fail? What causes the failures and partial successes that make up the experience of most people?

The answer is manifold, but its lesson is plain. As one writer has expressed it, "Every mainspring of success is a mainspring of failure, when wound around the wrong way." Every opportunity for advancement, for climbing for success, is just as much an opportunity for failure. Every success quality can be turned to one's disadvantage through excessive development or wrong use. No matter how broad and strong the dike may be, if a little hole lets the water through, ruin and disaster are sure. Possession of almost all the success-qualities may be absolutely nullified by one or two faults or vices. Sometimes one or two masterful traits of character will carry a person to success, in spite of defects that are a serious clog.

The answer has many parts, but its lesson is clear. As one writer put it, "Every driving force behind success can cause failure when used the wrong way." Every opportunity to advance and achieve success is just as much an opportunity to fail. Every quality that leads to success can work against you if developed too much or used wrongly. No matter how wide and strong a dike is, a small hole that lets water through will surely bring ruin and disaster. A person may have almost all the qualities needed for success, yet one or two faults or vices can cancel them out completely. Sometimes one or two powerful character traits will carry a person to success, despite serious defects that hold them back.

The numerous failures who wish always to blame their misfortunes upon others, or upon external circumstances, find small comfort in statistics compiled by those who have investigated the subject. In analyzing the causes of business failure in a recent year Bradstreet's found that seven-tenths were due to faults of those failing, and only three-tenths to causes entirely beyond their control. Faults causing failure, with per cent. of failures caused by each, are given as follows: incompetence, 19 per cent.; inexperience, 7.8 per cent.; lack of capital, 30.3 per cent.; unwise granting of credit, 3.6 per cent.; speculation, 2.3 per cent. It may be explained that "lack of capital" really means attempting to do too much with inadequate capital. This is a purely commercial analysis of purely commercial success. Character delinquencies must be read between the lines.

The many people who fail and always blame others or circumstances find little comfort in the statistics gathered by researchers. Bradstreet's analyzed the causes of business failures in a recent year. It found that seven-tenths resulted from the faults of those who failed. Only three-tenths resulted from causes entirely beyond their control. The faults and the percentage of failures each caused were: incompetence, 19 percent; inexperience, 7.8 percent; lack of capital, 30.3 percent; unwise granting of credit, 3.6 percent; speculation, 2.3 percent. "Lack of capital" really means trying to do too much with too little capital. This is a purely commercial analysis of purely commercial success. Failings of character must be read between the lines.

Forty successful men were induced, not long ago, to answer in detail the question, "What, in your observation, are the chief causes of the failure in life of business or professional men?" The causes attributed by these representative men were as follows:

Not long ago, forty successful men were asked to answer a question in detail. The question was, "In your experience, what are the main causes of failure among business or professional men?" These representative men gave the following causes:

Bad habits; bad judgment; bad luck; bad associates; carelessness of details; constant assuming of unjustifiable risks; desire to become rich too fast; drinking; dishonest dealings; desire of retrenchment; dislike to say no at the proper time; disregard of the Golden Rule; drifting with the tide; expensive habits of life; extravagance: envy; failure to appreciate one's surroundings; failure to grasp one's opportunities; frequent changes from one business to another; fooling away of time in pursuit of a so-called good time, gambling; inattention; incompetent assistants; incompetency; indolence; jealousy. Lack of attention to business; of application; of adaptation; of ambition; of business methods; of capital; of conservatism; of close attention to business; of confidence in self; of careful accounting; of careful observation; of definite purpose; of discipline in early life; of discernment of character; of enterprise; of energy; of economy; of faithfulness; of faith in one's calling; of industry; of integrity; of judgment; of knowledge of business requirements; of manly character; of natural ability; of perseverance; of pure principles; of proper courtesy toward people; of purpose; of pluck; of promptness in meeting business engagements; of system. Late hours; living beyond one's income; leaving too much to one's employees; neglect of details; no inborn love for one's calling; over-confidence in the stability of existing conditions; procrastination; speculative mania; selfishness; self-indulgence in small vices; studying ease rather than vigilance; social demoralization; thoughtless marriages; trusting one's work to others; undesirable location; unwillingness to pay the price of success; unwillingness to bear early privations; waste; yielding too easily to discouragement.

Bad habits. Bad judgment. Bad luck. Bad company. Carelessness about details. Constantly taking unjustified risks. Wanting to get rich too quickly. Drinking. Dishonest dealings. A desire to cut back. Reluctance to say no at the right time. Disregard for the Golden Rule. Drifting with the tide. An expensive lifestyle. Extravagance. Envy. Failure to appreciate one’s surroundings. Failure to seize opportunities. Frequently changing from one business to another. Wasting time in pursuit of a so-called good time. Gambling. Inattention. Incompetent assistants. Incompetence. Laziness. Jealousy. Lack of attention to business. Lack of effort. Lack of adaptability. Lack of ambition. Lack of business methods. Lack of capital. Lack of caution. Lack of close attention to business. Lack of self-confidence. Lack of careful accounting. Lack of careful observation. Lack of a definite purpose. Lack of discipline early in life. Inability to judge character. Lack of initiative. Lack of energy. Lack of thrift. Lack of faithfulness. Lack of faith in one’s calling. Lack of industriousness. Lack of integrity. Lack of judgment. Lack of knowledge of business requirements. Lack of manly character. Lack of natural ability. Lack of perseverance. Lack of pure principles. Lack of proper courtesy toward others. Lack of purpose. Lack of courage. Failure to meet business commitments promptly. Lack of a system. Staying up late. Living beyond one’s income. Leaving too much to employees. Neglecting details. Having no natural love for one’s calling. Being too confident that current conditions will remain stable. Procrastination. An obsession with speculation. Selfishness. Indulging in small vices. Seeking ease rather than staying alert. Social decline. Thoughtless marriages. Entrusting one’s work to others. An undesirable location. Unwillingness to pay the price of success. Unwillingness to endure hardship early on. Waste. Giving in too easily to discouragement.

Surely, here is material enough for a hundred sermons if one cared to preach them. Without attempting to discuss all these causes of failure, some few may be profitably examined.

Surely, there is enough material here for a hundred sermons, if anyone wanted to preach them. Without trying to discuss all these causes of failure, we may benefit from examining a few.

No youth can hope to succeed who is timid, who lacks faith in himself, who has not the courage of his convictions, and who always seeks for certainty before he ventures. "Self-distrust is the cause of most of our failures," said one. "In the assurance of strength there is strength, and they are the weakest, however strong, who have no faith in themselves or their powers."

No young person can hope to succeed if they are timid, lack faith in themselves, or lack the courage of their convictions. Nor can they succeed if they always seek certainty before taking a risk. As one person said, "Self-doubt causes most of our failures. Confidence in our strength gives us strength. Those who lack faith in themselves or their abilities are the weakest, however strong they may be."

"The ruin which overtakes so many merchants," said another, "is due, not so much to their lack of business talent, as to their lack of business nerve. How many lovable persons we see in trade, endowed with brilliant capacities, but cursed with yielding dispositions—who are resolute in no business habits and fixed in no business principles—who are prone to follow the instincts of a weak good nature, against the ominous hints of a clear intelligence; now obliging this friend by indorsing an unsafe note, and then pleasing that neighbor by sharing his risk in a hopeless speculation, and who, after all the capital they have earned by their industry and sagacity has been sunk in benevolent attempts to assist blundering or plundering incapacity, are doomed, in their bankruptcy, to be the mark of bitter taunts from growling creditors and insolent pity from a gossiping public."

"The ruin that overtakes so many merchants," said another, "is due less to a lack of business talent than to a lack of business nerve. We see so many lovable people in trade who have brilliant abilities but are cursed with yielding dispositions. They have no firm business habits or fixed business principles. They tend to follow their weak good nature, despite the warning signs their clear intelligence shows them. One moment they oblige a friend by endorsing a risky note. The next, they please a neighbor by sharing the risk of a hopeless speculation. In the end, all the capital they earned through hard work and good judgment is lost. They have spent it on kindhearted attempts to help people who are incompetent through blundering or plundering. Then, in bankruptcy, they are doomed to endure bitter taunts from grumbling creditors and insulting pity from a gossiping public."

Scattering one's forces has killed many a man's success. Withdrawal of the best of yourself from the work to be done is sure to bring final disaster. Every particle of a man's energy, intellect, courage, and enthusiasm is needed to win success in one line. Draw off part of the supply of any one or all of these, and there is danger that what is left will not suffice. A little inattention to one's business at a critical point is quite sufficient to cause shipwreck. The pilot who pays attention to a pretty passenger is not likely to bring his ship to port. Attractive side issues, great schemes, and flattering promises of large rewards, too often lure the business or professional man from the safe path in which he may plod on to sure success. Many a man fails to become a great man, by splitting into several small ones, choosing to be a tolerable Jack-at-all-trades, rather than to be an unrivalled specialist.

Spreading your efforts too thin has ruined many a man's chances of success. Holding back the best of yourself from the work at hand is sure to end in disaster. A man needs every bit of his energy, intellect, courage, and enthusiasm to succeed in one field. Take away part of any or all of these, and what remains may not be enough. Even a little inattention to business at a critical moment can cause disaster. A pilot who pays attention to a pretty passenger is unlikely to bring his ship to port. Attractive side projects, grand schemes, and flattering promises of great rewards too often lure businessmen and professionals away. They leave the safe path where steady effort can bring sure success. Many a man fails to become great because he splits himself into several smaller men. He chooses to be a decent jack of all trades rather than an unrivaled specialist.

Lack of thoroughness is another great cause of failure. The world is overcrowded with men, young and old, who remain stationary, filling minor positions, and drawing meager salaries, simply because they have never thought it worth while to achieve mastery in the pursuits they have chosen to follow.

A lack of thoroughness is another major cause of failure. The world is overcrowded with men, young and old, who make no progress. They remain in minor positions and earn meager salaries simply because they have never thought it worthwhile to master their chosen fields.

Lack of education has caused many failures; if a man has success qualities in him, he will not long lack such education as is absolutely necessary to his success. He will walk fifty miles if necessary to borrow a book, like Lincoln. He will hang by one arm to a street lamp, and hold his book with the other, like a certain Glasgow boy. He will study between anvil blows, like Elihu Burritt; he will do some of the thousand things that other noble strugglers have done to fight against circumstances that would deprive them of what they hunger for.

Lack of education has caused many failures. But if a man has the qualities needed for success, he will soon get the education he absolutely needs. Like Lincoln, he will walk fifty miles if necessary to borrow a book. Like a certain Glasgow boy, he will hang from a street lamp by one arm and hold his book with the other. Like Elihu Burritt, he will study between blows on the anvil. He will do some of the thousand things other noble strugglers have done. They fought against circumstances that threatened to deprive them of what they hungered for.

"The five conditions of failure," said H. H. Vreeland, president of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company of New York, "may be roughly classified thus: first, laziness, and particularly mental laziness; second, lack of faith in the efficiency of work; third, reliance on the saving grace of luck; fourth, lack of courage, initiative and persistence: fifth, the belief that the young man's job affects his standing, instead of the young man's affecting the standing of his job."

“The five causes of failure,” said H. H. Vreeland, president of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company of New York, “may be roughly classified as follows: first, laziness, especially mental laziness. Second, a lack of faith in the effectiveness of work. Third, relying on luck to save you. Fourth, a lack of courage, initiative, and persistence. Fifth, the belief that a young man’s job determines his standing, rather than the young man determining his job’s standing.”

Look where you will, ask of whom you will, and you will find that not circumstances, but personal qualities, defects and deficiencies, cause failures. This is strongly expressed by a wealthy manufacturer who said: "Nothing else influences a man's career in life so much as his disposition. He may have capacity, knowledge, social position, or money to back him at the start; but it is his disposition that will decide his place in the world at the end. Show me a man who is, according to popular prejudice, a victim of bad luck, and I will show you one who has some unfortunate, crooked twist of temperament that invites disaster, He is ill-tempered, or conceited, or trifling, or lacks enthusiasm."

Look wherever you like and ask anyone you like. You will find that failures are caused not by circumstances, but by personal qualities, flaws, and shortcomings. A wealthy manufacturer put this plainly: "Nothing influences a man's career more than his disposition. He may start out with ability, knowledge, social standing, or money behind him. But his disposition will decide his place in the world in the end. Show me a man who people believe is a victim of bad luck. I will show you a man whose unfortunate, warped temperament invites disaster. He is bad-tempered, conceited, frivolous, or lacking in enthusiasm."

There are some men whose failure to succeed in life is a problem to others, as well as to themselves. They are industrious, prudent, and economical; yet after a long life of striving, old age finds them still poor. They complain of ill luck, they say fate is against them. But the real truth is that their projects miscarry, because they mistake mere activity for energy. Confounding two things essentially different, they suppose that if they are always busy, they must of necessity be advancing their fortunes; forgetting that labor misdirected is but a waste of activity.

Some men’s failure to succeed in life puzzles others as well as themselves. They are hardworking, careful, and thrifty. Yet after a lifetime of effort, they are still poor in old age. They complain of bad luck and say fate is against them. But the real reason their plans fail is that they mistake mere activity for energy. They confuse two very different things. They assume that if they are always busy, they must be improving their fortunes. They forget that misdirected work is simply wasted effort.

The worst of all foes to success is sheer, downright laziness. There is no polite synonym for laziness. Too many young men are afraid to work. They are lazy. They aim to find genteel occupations, so that they can dress well, and not soil their clothes, and handle things with the tips of their fingers. They do not like to get their shoulders under the wheel, and they prefer to give orders to others, or figure as masters, and let some one else do the drudgery. There is no place in this century for the lazy man. He will be pushed to the wall. Labor ever will be the inevitable price for everything that is valuable.

The worst enemy of success is plain laziness. There is no polite word for it. Too many young men are afraid to work. They are lazy. They look for respectable jobs so they can dress well, keep their clothes clean, and handle things with their fingertips. They do not like to put their shoulders to the wheel. They prefer to give orders or act as masters, leaving someone else to do the hard work. There is no place in this century for a lazy man. He will be pushed aside. Work will always be the unavoidable price of everything valuable.

A metropolitan daily newspaper not long ago invited confessions by letter from those who felt that their lives had been failures. The newspaper agreed not to disclose the name or identity of any person making such a confession, and requested frank statements. Two questions were asked: "Has your life been a failure? Has your business been a failure?"

Not long ago, a city newspaper invited letters from people who felt their lives had been failures. The newspaper promised not to reveal the name or identity of anyone who wrote and asked for honest answers. It posed two questions: "Has your life been a failure? Has your business been a failure?"

Some of the replies were pitiable in the extreme.

Some of the replies were extremely pitiful.

Some attributed their failures to a cruel fate which seemed to pursue them and thwart all their efforts, some to hereditary weaknesses, deformities, and taints, some to a husband or a wife, others to "inhospitable surroundings," and "cruel circumstances."

Some blamed their failures on a cruel fate that seemed to pursue them and frustrate all their efforts. Some blamed inherited weaknesses, deformities, and flaws. Some blamed a husband or wife. Others blamed “unwelcoming surroundings” and “cruel circumstances.”

It is worthy of note that not one of these failures mentioned laziness as a cause.

It is worth noting that none of these failures mentioned laziness as a cause.

Here are some of the reasons they did give:

Here are some of the reasons they gave:

"J. P. T." considered that his life was a failure from too much genius. He said he thought he could do anything, and therefore he couldn't wait to graduate from college, but left and began the practise of law, was principal of an academy, overworked himself, and had too many irons in the fire. He failed, he said, from dissipating his energies, and having too much confidence in men.

"J. P. T." believed his life had been a failure because he had too much genius. He said he thought he could do anything, so he couldn't wait to graduate from college. Instead, he left college and began practicing law. He also became the principal of an academy, overworked himself, and took on too many things at once. He said he failed because he spread his energy too thin and trusted people too much.

"Rutherford," said he had four chances to succeed in life, but lost them all. The first cause of his failure was lack of perseverance. He tired of the sameness and routine of his occupation. His second shortcoming was too great liberality, too much confidence in others. Third, economy was not in his dictionary. Fourth, "I had too much hope, even in the greatest extremities." Fifth, "I believed too much in friends and friendships. I couldn't read human nature, and did not make allowance enough for mistakes." Sixth, "I never struck my vocation." Seventh, "I had no one to care for, to spur me on to do something in the world. I am seventy years old, never drank, never had bad habits, always attended church. But I am as poor as when I started for myself."

"Rutherford," he said, had four chances to succeed in life, but lost them all. The first cause of his failure was a lack of persistence. He grew tired of the repetition and routine of his work. His second shortcoming was being too generous and trusting others too much. Third, saving money was not in his vocabulary. Fourth, "I had too much hope, even in the most desperate situations." Fifth, "I believed too much in friends and friendships. I couldn't judge people, and I didn't allow enough for mistakes." Sixth, "I never found my calling." Seventh, "I had no one to care for, no one to spur me to do something in the world. I am seventy years old. I never drank or had bad habits, and I always attended church. But I am as poor as when I first went out on my own."

"G. C. S." failed dismally. "My weakness was building air-castles. I had a burning desire to make a name in the world, and came to New York from the country. Rebuffed, discouraged, I drifted. I had no heart for work. I lacked ability and push, without which no life can be a success."

"G. C. S." failed miserably. "My weakness was daydreaming. I desperately wanted to make a name for myself, so I came to New York from the country. After being turned away and discouraged, I drifted. I had no desire to work. I lacked ability and drive, and no one can succeed in life without them."

"Lacked ability and push."—Push is ability. Laziness is lack of push. Nothing can take the place of push. Push means industry and endurance and everlasting stick-to-it-ive-ness.

"Lacked ability and drive." Drive is ability. Laziness is a lack of drive. Nothing can replace drive. Drive means hard work, endurance, and never giving up.

"A somewhat varied experience of men has led me, the longer I live," said a great man, "to set less value on mere cleverness; to attach more and more importance to industry and physical endurance."

"As I grow older, my varied experience with people has led me to value cleverness less," said a great man. "I place more and more importance on hard work and physical endurance."

Goethe said that industry is nine-tenths of genius, and Franklin that diligence is the mother of good luck. A thousand other tongues and pens have lauded work. Idleness and shiftlessness may be set down as causing a large part of the failures of the world.

Goethe said that hard work is nine-tenths of genius. Franklin said that diligence is the mother of good luck. A thousand others have praised work in speech and writing. Idleness and laziness may cause a large share of the world's failures.

On every side we see persons who started out with good educations and great promise, but who have gradually "gone to seed." Their early ambition oozed out, their early ideals gradually dropped to lower standards. Ambition is a spring that sets the apparatus going. All the parts may be perfect, but the lack of a spring is a fatal defect. Without wish to rise, desire to accomplish and to attain, no life will succeed largely.

Everywhere we see people who started out with good educations and great promise, but gradually "went to seed." Their early ambition faded, and their early ideals gradually gave way to lower standards. Ambition is the spring that sets the machinery in motion. All the parts may be perfect, but without a spring, the machinery cannot work. Without the wish to rise and the desire to accomplish and achieve, no life will be greatly successful.

"Chief among the causes which bring positive failure or a disappointing portion of half success to thousands of honest strugglers is vacillation," said Thomas B. Bryan.

"Indecision is a leading cause of outright failure or disappointing partial success for thousands of honest strugglers," said Thomas B. Bryan.

Many a business man has made his fortune by promptly deciding at some nice juncture to expose himself to a considerable risk. Yet many failures are caused by ill-advised changes and causeless vacillation of purpose. The vacillating man, however strong in other respects, is always pushed aside in the race of life by the determined man, the decisive man, who knows what he wants to do and does it; even brains must give way to decision. One could almost say that no life ever failed that was steadfastly devoted to one aim, if that aim were not in itself unworthy.

Many a businessman has made his fortune by quickly deciding to take a considerable risk at a critical moment. Yet many failures are caused by unwise changes and a needless lack of resolve. However strong he may be in other ways, an indecisive man is always pushed aside in life’s race. He is pushed aside by the determined, decisive man who knows what he wants to do and does it. Even intelligence must give way to decisiveness. One could almost say that no life ever failed if it was steadily devoted to one worthy aim.

I am a great believer in a college education, but a great many college graduates have made failures of their lives who might have succeeded had they not gone to college, because they depended upon theoretical, impractical knowledge to help them on, and were not willing to begin at the bottom after graduation.

I strongly believe in a college education. But many college graduates have failed in life who might have succeeded without going to college. They relied on theoretical, impractical knowledge to get ahead and were unwilling to start at the bottom after graduation.

On every hand we see men who did well in college, but who do very poorly in life. They stood high in their classes, were conscientious, hard workers, but somehow when they get out into life, they do not seem able to catch on. They are not practical. It would be hard to tell why they never get ahead, but there seems to be something lacking in their make-up, some screw loose somewhere. These brilliant graduates, but indifferently successful men, are often enigmas to themselves. They don't understand why they don't get on.

Everywhere we see men who did well in college but do very poorly in life. They ranked high in their classes and were conscientious, hard workers. But somehow, once they leave college, they don't seem able to find their footing. They aren't practical. It's hard to say why they never get ahead, but something seems to be missing from their makeup. It's as if they have a screw loose somewhere. These brilliant graduates, who achieve only moderate success, are often mysteries to themselves. They don't understand why they don't get ahead.

There is no doubt that ill-health is often the cause of failure, but this is often due to a wrong mental attitude, wrong thinking. The pessimistic, discouraged mental attitude is very injurious to good health. Worry, fear, anxiety, jealousy, extreme selfishness, poison the system, so that it does not perform its functions perfectly, and will cause much ill-health.

There is no doubt that poor health often causes failure. But poor health is often caused by a wrong attitude or wrong thinking. A pessimistic, discouraged attitude is very harmful to good health. Worry, fear, anxiety, jealousy, and extreme selfishness poison the body, preventing it from functioning properly. They cause much poor health.

A complete reversal of the mental attitude would bring robust health to multitudes of those who suffer from "poor health." If people would only think right, and live right, ill-health would be very rare. A wrong mental attitude is the cause of a large part of physical weakness, disease, and suffering.

A complete change in mental attitude would bring robust health to many people who suffer from "poor health." If people would only think and live right, poor health would be very rare. A wrong mental attitude causes a large part of physical weakness, disease, and suffering.

It has been said that the two chief factors of success are industry and health. But the history of human triumphs over difficulties shows that the sick, the crippled, the deformed, have often outrun the strong and hale to the goal of success, in spite of tremendous physical handicaps. Many such instances are cited in other chapters of this volume.

It has been said that the two main factors in success are hard work and good health. But history shows that people who were sick, disabled, or disfigured have often overcome great physical difficulties to achieve success. They have often surpassed those who were strong and healthy. Many such examples appear in other chapters of this book.

Where men have built an abiding success, industry and perseverance have proven the foundation stone? of their great achievements. Every man may lay this foundation and build on it for himself. Whatever a man's natural advantages may be, great or small, industry and perseverance are his, if he chooses. By the exercise of these qualities he may rise, as others have done, to success, if like Palissy he

Where men have built lasting success, hard work and perseverance have been the foundation of their great achievements. Every man can lay this foundation and build on it for himself. Whatever his natural advantages, great or small, a man can choose to work hard and persevere. By using these qualities, he may rise to success, as others have done, if, like Palissy, he

WHEN IS SUCCESS A FAILURE?

WHEN IS SUCCESS A FAILURE?

When you are doing the lower while the higher is possible.

When you are doing something lesser while something greater is possible.

When you are not a cleaner, finer, larger man on account of your life-work.

When your life's work does not make you a better, more refined, and more open-minded man.

When you live only to eat, drink, have a good time, and accumulate money.

When you live only to eat, drink, have fun, and make money.

When you do not carry a higher wealth in your character than in your pocketbook.

When you have more wealth in your wallet than in your character.

When your highest brain cells have been crowded out of business by greed.

When greed has pushed your highest brain cells out of action.

When it has made conscience an accuser, and shut the sunlight out of your life.

When it has made your conscience accuse you and shut the sunlight out of your life.

When all sympathy has been crushed out by selfish devotion to your vocation.

When selfish devotion to your work has crushed all your sympathy.

When the attainment of your ambition has blighted the aspirations and crushed the hopes of others.

When achieving your ambition has ruined the aspirations and crushed the hopes of others.

When you plead that you never had time to cultivate your friendships, politeness, or good manners.

When you say you never had time to nurture your friendships or develop politeness and good manners.

When you have lost on your way your self-respect, your courage, your self-control, or any other quality of manhood.

When you have lost your self-respect, courage, self-control, or any other quality of manhood along the way.

When you do not overtop your vocation; when you are not greater as a man than as a lawyer, a merchant, a physician, or a scientist.

When you do not rise above your profession, when you are not greater as a man than as a lawyer, merchant, doctor, or scientist.

When you have lived a double life and practised double-dealing.

When you have lived a double life and acted deceitfully.

When it has made you a physical wreck—a victim of "nerves" and moods.

When it has left you physically wrecked, a victim of "nerves" and moods.

When the hunger for more money, more land, more houses and bonds has grown to be your dominant passion.

When your hunger for more money, land, houses, and bonds has become your strongest passion.

When it has dwarfed you mentally and morally, and robbed you of the spontaneity and enthusiasm of youth. When it has hardened you to the needs and sufferings of others, and made you a scorner of the poor and unfortunate.

When it has stunted your mind and morals and robbed you of the spontaneity and enthusiasm of youth. When it has made you indifferent to the needs and suffering of others and made you look down on the poor and unfortunate.

When there is a dishonest or a deceitful dollar in your possession; when your fortune spells the ruin of widows and orphans, or the crushing of the opportunities of others.

When you have a dollar gained through dishonesty or deceit, or when your fortune ruins widows and orphans or crushes others' opportunities.

When your absorption in your work has made you practically a stranger to your family.

When you are so absorbed in your work that you have become almost a stranger to your family.

When you go on the principle of getting all you can and giving as little as possible in return.

When you live by the principle of getting all you can and giving as little as possible in return.

When your greed for money has darkened and cramped your wife's life, and deprived her of self-expression, of needed rest and recreation, or amusement of any kind.

When your greed for money has made your wife's life bleak and restricted. When it has deprived her of self-expression, needed rest, recreation, or any kind of amusement.

When the nervous irritability engendered by constant work, without relaxation, has made you a brute in your home and a nuisance to those who work for you.

When constant work without a break has made you so irritable that you are a brute at home and a nuisance to those who work for you.

When you rob those who work for you of what is justly their due, and then pose as a philanthropist by contributing a small fraction of your unjust gains to some charity or to the endowment of some public institution.

When you cheat your workers out of what they are owed, then pose as a philanthropist by giving a small fraction of your unfair gains to a charity or a public institution.