Opportunities Where You Are

What is opportunity to a man who can't use it? An unfecundated egg, which the waves of time wash away into non-entity.—GEORGE ELIOT.

What is opportunity to a man who can't use it? It is an unfertilized egg, washed away into nothingness by the waves of time. GEORGE ELIOT.

The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.—DISRAELI.

The secret to success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes. DISRAELI.

"There are no longer any good chances for young men," complained a youthful law student to Daniel Webster. "There is always room at the top," replied the great statesman and jurist.

"There are no longer any good opportunities for young men," a young law student complained to Daniel Webster. "There is always room at the top," replied the great statesman and legal scholar.

No chance, no opportunities, in a land where thousands of poor boys become rich men, where newsboys go to Congress, and where those born in the lowest stations attain the highest positions? The world is all gates, all opportunities to him who will use them. But, like Bunyan's Pilgrim in the dungeon of Giant Despair's castle, who had the key of deliverance all the time with him but had forgotten it, we fail to rely wholly upon the ability to advance all that is good for us which has been given to the weakest as well as the strongest. We depend too much upon outside assistance.

No chances, no opportunities, in a land where thousands of poor boys become rich men? Where newsboys go to Congress, and those born in the lowest positions rise to the highest? The world is full of doors and opportunities for anyone who will use them. But we are like Bunyan's Pilgrim, held in the dungeon of Giant Despair's castle. He had the key to freedom with him all along, but he had forgotten it. We fail to rely fully on our ability to advance all that is good for us. That ability has been given to the weakest as well as the strongest. We depend too much on help from others.

A Baltimore lady lost a valuable diamond bracelet at a ball, and supposed that it was stolen from the pocket of her cloak. Years afterward she washed the steps of the Peabody Institute, pondering how to get money to buy food. She cut up an old, worn-out, ragged cloak to make a hood, when lo! in the lining of the cloak she discovered the diamond bracelet. During all her poverty she was worth $3500, but did not know it.

A woman in Baltimore lost a valuable diamond bracelet at a ball. She thought it had been stolen from her cloak pocket. Years later, she washed the steps of the Peabody Institute, wondering how she would get money for food. She cut up an old, worn, ragged cloak to make a hood. To her surprise, she found the diamond bracelet in its lining. Throughout all her poverty, she was worth $3,500, but she did not know it.

Many of us who think we are poor are rich in opportunities, if we could only see them, in possibilities all about us, in faculties worth more than diamond bracelets. In our large Eastern cities it has been found that at least ninety-four out of every hundred found their first fortune at home, or near at hand, and in meeting common every-day wants. It is a sorry day for a young man who can not see any opportunities where he is, but thinks he can do better somewhere else. Some Brazilian shepherds organized a party to go to California to dig gold, and took along a handful of translucent pebbles to play checkers with on the voyage. After arriving in San Francisco, and after they had thrown most of the pebbles away, they discovered that they were diamonds. They hastened back to Brazil, only to find that the mines from which the pebbles had been gathered had been taken up by other prospectors and sold to the government.

Many of us who think we are poor are rich in opportunities, if only we could see them. Possibilities surround us, and we have abilities worth more than diamond bracelets. In our large Eastern cities, at least ninety-four out of every hundred made their first fortune at home or nearby. They did it by meeting ordinary, everyday needs. It is a sad day for a young man who sees no opportunities where he is and thinks he can do better somewhere else. Some Brazilian shepherds formed a group to go to California to dig for gold. They took a handful of translucent pebbles to play checkers with during the voyage. After arriving in San Francisco, they threw most of the pebbles away. Then they discovered that the pebbles were diamonds. They hurried back to Brazil, only to find that other prospectors had claimed the mines where the pebbles had been gathered. The prospectors had sold the mines to the government.

The richest gold and silver mine in Nevada was sold by the owner for $42, to get money to pay his passage to other mines, where he thought he could get rich. Professor Agassiz once told the Harvard students of a farmer who owned a farm of hundreds of acres of unprofitable woods and rocks, and concluded to sell out and get into a more profitable business. He decided to go into the coal-oil business; he studied coal measures and coal-oil deposits, and experimented for a long time. He sold his farm for $200, and engaged in his new business two hundred miles away. Only a short time after, the man who bought his farm discovered upon it a great flood of coal-oil, which the farmer had previously ignorantly tried to drain off.

The owner of the richest gold and silver mine in Nevada sold it for $42. He needed money to travel to other mines, where he thought he could get rich. Professor Agassiz once told the Harvard students about a farmer who owned hundreds of acres of unprofitable woods and rocks. The farmer decided to sell his farm and find a more profitable business. He chose the coal-oil business. He studied coal seams and coal-oil deposits and experimented for a long time. He sold his farm for $200 and started his new business two hundred miles away. Soon afterward, the man who bought the farm discovered a great flood of coal oil on the property. The farmer had previously tried to drain the oil away, unaware of what it was.

Hundreds of years ago there lived near the shore of the river Indus a Persian by the name of Ali Hafed. He lived in a cottage on the river bank, from which he could get a grand view of the beautiful country stretching away to the sea. He had a wife and children; an extensive farm, fields of grain, gardens of flowers, orchards of fruit, and miles of forest. He had plenty of money and everything that heart could wish. He was contented and happy. One evening a priest of Buddha visited him, and, sitting before the fire, explained to him how the world was made, and how the first beams of sunlight condensed on the earth's surface into diamonds.

Hundreds of years ago, a Persian named Ali Hafed lived near the shore of the river Indus. His cottage stood on the riverbank, with a grand view of the beautiful countryside stretching to the sea. He had a wife and children and a large farm with grain fields, flower gardens, fruit orchards, and miles of forest. He had plenty of money and everything his heart could wish for. He was content and happy. One evening, a priest of Buddha visited him. Sitting before the fire, the priest explained how the world was made. He also explained how the first beams of sunlight formed diamonds on the earth’s surface.

The old priest told that a drop of sunlight the size of his thumb was worth more than large mines of copper, silver, or gold; that with one of them he could buy many farms like his; that with a handful he could buy a province, and with a mine of diamonds he could purchase a kingdom. Ali Hafed listened, and was no longer a rich man. He had been touched with discontent, and with that all wealth vanishes. Early the next morning he woke the priest who had been the cause of his unhappiness, and anxiously asked him where he could find a mine of diamonds. "What do you want of diamonds?" asked the astonished priest. "I want to be rich and place my children on thrones." "All you have to do is to go and search until you find them," said the priest. "But where shall I go?" asked the poor farmer. "Go anywhere, north, south, east, or west." "How shall I know when I have found the place?" "When you find a river running over white sands between high mountain ranges, in those white sands you will find diamonds," answered the priest.

The old priest said that a drop of sunlight the size of his thumb was worth more than large mines of copper, silver, or gold. With one such drop, he could buy many farms like his. With a handful, he could buy a province, and with a mine of diamonds, he could purchase a kingdom. Ali Hafed listened and was no longer a rich man. He had felt discontent, and with that, all wealth vanishes. Early the next morning, he woke the priest who had caused his unhappiness. He anxiously asked him where he could find a mine of diamonds. "What do you want diamonds for?" asked the astonished priest. "I want to be rich and place my children on thrones." "All you have to do is search until you find them," said the priest. "But where should I go?" asked the poor farmer. "Go anywhere, north, south, east, or west." "How will I know when I have found the place?" "When you find a river running over white sand between high mountain ranges, you will find diamonds in that sand," answered the priest.

The discontented man sold the farm for what he could get, left his family with a neighbor, took the money he had at interest, and went to search for the coveted treasure. Over the mountains of Arabia, through Palestine and Egypt, he wandered for years, but found no diamonds. When his money was all gone and starvation stared him in the face, ashamed of his folly and of his rags, poor Ali Hafed threw himself into the tide and was drowned. The man who bought his farm was a contented man, who made the most of his surroundings, and did not believe in going away from home to hunt for diamonds or success. While his camel was drinking in the garden one day, he noticed a flash of light from the white sands of the brook. He picked up a pebble, and pleased with its brilliant hues took it into the house, put it on the shelf near the fireplace, and forgot all about it.

The discontented man sold the farm for whatever he could get and left his family with a neighbor. He took the money he had invested at interest and went in search of the treasure he longed for. He wandered for years over the mountains of Arabia and through Palestine and Egypt, but found no diamonds. When all his money was gone, he faced starvation. Ashamed of his folly and his rags, poor Ali Hafed threw himself into the sea and drowned. The man who bought his farm was content. He made the most of his surroundings and did not believe in leaving home to search for diamonds or success. One day, while his camel was drinking in the garden, he noticed a flash of light from the brook’s white sands. He picked up a pebble and admired its brilliant colors. He took it into the house, put it on the shelf near the fireplace, and forgot all about it.

The old priest of Buddha who had filled Ali Hafed with the fatal discontent called one day upon the new owner of the farm. He had no sooner entered the room than his eye caught that flash of light from the stone. "Here's a diamond! here's a diamond!" he shouted in great excitement. "Has Ali Hafed returned?" "No," said the farmer, "nor is that a diamond. That is but a stone." They went into the garden and stirred up the white sand with their fingers, and behold, other diamonds more beautiful than the first gleamed out of it. So the famous diamond beds of Golconda were discovered. Had Ali Hafed been content to remain at home, and dug in his own garden, instead of going abroad in search for wealth, he would have been one of the richest men in the world, for the entire farm abounded in the richest of gems.

The old Buddhist priest who had filled Ali Hafed with that fatal discontent visited the farm’s new owner one day. As soon as he entered the room, he saw a flash of light from the stone. “Here’s a diamond! Here’s a diamond!” he shouted excitedly. “Has Ali Hafed returned?” “No,” said the farmer, “and that isn’t a diamond. It’s only a stone.” They went into the garden and stirred the white sand with their fingers. There, they saw other diamonds, even more beautiful than the first, gleaming in the sand. That is how the famous diamond beds of Golconda were discovered. If Ali Hafed had been content to stay home and dig in his own garden instead of going abroad to seek wealth, he would have been one of the richest men in the world. His entire farm was full of the richest gems.

You have your own special place and work. Find it, fill it. Scarcely a boy or girl will read these lines but has much better opportunity to win success than Garfield, Wilson, Franklin, Lincoln, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Frances Willard, and thousands of others had. But to succeed you must be prepared to seize and improve the opportunity when it comes. Remember that four things come not back: the spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life, and the neglected opportunity.

You have your own special place and work. Find your place and fill it. Almost every boy or girl reading these lines has a much better chance of success than Garfield, Wilson, Franklin, Lincoln, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Frances Willard, and thousands of others had. But to succeed, you must be ready to seize an opportunity and make the most of it when it comes. Remember that four things never come back: a spoken word, an arrow once shot, a life already lived, and a missed opportunity.

It is one of the paradoxes of civilization that the more opportunities are utilized, the more new ones are thereby created. New openings are as easy to find as ever to those who do their best; although it is not so easy as formerly to obtain great distinction in the old lines, because the standard has advanced so much, and competition has so greatly increased. "The world is no longer clay," said Emerson, "but rather iron in the hands of its workers, and men have got to hammer out a place for themselves by steady and rugged blows."

One paradox of civilization is that the more opportunities people use, the more new ones they create. New opportunities are as easy to find as ever for those who do their best. But it is harder than it once was to achieve great distinction in established fields. Standards have risen so much, and competition has greatly increased. As Emerson said, "The world is no longer clay, but iron in the hands of its workers. Men must hammer out a place for themselves with steady, forceful blows."

Thousands of men have made fortunes out of trifles which others pass by. As the bee gets honey from the same flower from which the spider gets poison, so some men will get a fortune out of the commonest and meanest things, as scraps of leather, cotton waste, slag, iron filings, from which others get only poverty and failure. There is scarcely a thing which contributes to the welfare and comfort of humanity, scarcely an article of household furniture, a kitchen utensil, an article of clothing or of food, that is not capable of an improvement in which there may be a fortune.

Thousands of men have made fortunes from small things that others overlook. A bee gets honey from the same flower from which a spider gets poison. In the same way, some men make fortunes from the most ordinary, humble things. They use leather scraps, cotton waste, slag, and iron filings, while others find only poverty and failure in them. Almost anything that adds to human well-being and comfort can be improved in a way that could make someone a fortune. This includes almost every piece of furniture, kitchen utensil, item of clothing, and kind of food.

Opportunities? They are all around us. Forces of nature plead to be used in the service of man, as lightning for ages tried to attract his attention to the great force of electricity, which would do his drudgery and leave him to develop the God-given powers within him. There is power lying latent everywhere waiting for the observant eye to discover it.

Opportunities? They are all around us. The forces of nature beg to be used in the service of humanity. For ages, lightning tried to draw our attention to the great power of electricity. Electricity would do our hard work, leaving us free to develop our God-given powers. Hidden power is everywhere, waiting for an observant eye to discover it.

First find out what the world needs and then supply the want. An invention to make smoke go the wrong way in a chimney might be a very ingenious thing, but it would be of no use to humanity. The patent office at Washington is full of wonderful devices of ingenious mechanism, but not one in hundreds is of use to the inventor or to the world. And yet how many families have been impoverished, and have struggled for years amid want and woe, while the father has been working on useless inventions. A. T. Stewart, as a boy, lost eighty-seven cents, when his capital was one dollar and a half, in buying buttons and thread which shoppers did not call for. After that he made it a rule never to buy anything which the public did not want, and so prospered.

First find out what the world needs, then supply it. An invention that makes smoke go the wrong way in a chimney might be very clever. But it would be of no use to humanity. The patent office in Washington is full of wonderful, ingenious devices. Yet fewer than one in hundreds is useful to the inventor or to the world. How many families have been impoverished and struggled for years in poverty and misery while the father worked on useless inventions? As a boy, A. T. Stewart had a dollar and a half in capital. He lost eighty-seven cents buying buttons and thread that shoppers did not ask for. After that, he made it a rule never to buy anything the public did not want, and he prospered.

An observing man, the eyelets of whose shoes pulled out, but who could not afford to get another pair, said to himself, "I will make a metallic lacing hook, which can be riveted into the leather." He was then so poor that he had to borrow a sickle to cut grass in front of his hired tenement. He became a very rich man.

An observant man’s shoelace eyelets pulled out, but he could not afford another pair of shoes. He said to himself, "I will make a metal lacing hook that can be riveted into the leather." At the time, he was so poor that he had to borrow a sickle to cut the grass in front of his rented home. He became a very rich man.

An observing barber in Newark, N. J., thought he could make an improvement on shears for cutting hair, invented clippers, and became rich. A Maine man was called in from the hayfield to wash clothes for his invalid wife. He had never realized what it was to wash before. Finding the method slow and laborious, he invented the washing machine, and made a fortune. A man who was suffering terribly with toothache felt sure there must be some way of filling teeth which would prevent their aching and he invented the method of gold filling for teeth.

An observant barber in Newark, N. J., thought he could improve on hair-cutting shears. He invented clippers and became rich. A Maine man was called in from the hayfield to wash clothes for his sick wife. He had never realized what washing clothes involved. Finding the method slow and tiring, he invented the washing machine and made a fortune. A man suffering from a terrible toothache was sure there must be a way to fill teeth and prevent them from aching. He invented the method of filling teeth with gold.

The great things of the world have not been done by men of large means. Ericsson began the construction of the screw propellers in a bathroom. The cotton-gin was first manufactured in a log cabin. John Harrison, the great inventor of the marine chronometer, began his career in the loft of an old barn. Parts of the first steamboat ever run in America were set up in the vestry of a church in Philadelphia by Fitch. McCormick began to make his famous reaper in a grist-mill. The first model dry-dock was made in an attic. Clark, the founder of Clark University of Worcester, Mass., began his great fortune by making toy wagons in a horse shed. Farquhar made umbrellas in his sitting-room, with his daughter's help, until he sold enough to hire a loft. Edison began his experiments in a baggage car on the Grand Trunk Railroad when a newsboy.

The world’s great achievements have not been made by wealthy men. Ericsson began building screw propellers in a bathroom. The cotton gin was first made in a log cabin. John Harrison, the great inventor of the marine chronometer, began his career in the loft of an old barn. Fitch assembled parts of the first steamboat ever run in America in a Philadelphia church’s vestry. McCormick began making his famous reaper in a gristmill. The first model of a dry dock was made in an attic. Clark, the founder of Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, began building his great fortune by making toy wagons in a horse shed. Farquhar made umbrellas in his living room with his daughter’s help. He continued there until he sold enough to rent a loft. Edison began his experiments in a baggage car on the Grand Trunk Railroad when he was a newsboy.

Michael Angelo found a piece of discarded Carrara marble among waste rubbish beside a street in Florence, which some unskilful workman had cut, hacked, spoiled, and thrown away. No doubt many artists had noticed the fine quality of the marble, and regretted that it should have been spoiled. But Michael Angelo still saw an angel in the ruin, and with his chisel and mallet he called out from it one of the finest pieces of statuary in Italy, the young David.

Michael Angelo found a discarded piece of Carrara marble among the rubbish beside a street in Florence. An unskilled worker had cut, hacked, and ruined it before throwing it away. No doubt many artists had noticed the marble's fine quality and regretted that it had been spoiled. But Michael Angelo still saw an angel in the ruined marble. With his chisel and mallet, he brought out one of the finest statues in Italy, the young David.

Patrick Henry was called a lazy boy, a good-for-nothing farmer, and he failed as a merchant. He was always dreaming of some far-off greatness, and never thought he could be a hero among the corn and tobacco and saddlebags of Virginia. He studied law for six weeks; when he put out his shingle. People thought he would fail, but in his first case he showed that he had a wonderful power of oratory. It then first dawned upon him that he could be a hero in Virginia. From the time the Stamp Act was passed and Henry was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses, and he had introduced his famous resolution against the unjust taxation of the American colonies, he rose steadily until he became one of the brilliant orators of America. In one of his first speeches upon this resolution he uttered these words, which were prophetic of his power and courage: "Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and George the Third—may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it."

Patrick Henry was called a lazy boy and a good-for-nothing farmer, and he failed as a merchant. He was always dreaming of greatness somewhere far away. He never thought he could be a hero among the corn, tobacco, and saddlebags of Virginia. He studied law for six weeks, then opened a law office. People thought he would fail, but in his first case he showed a remarkable gift for public speaking. Only then did he begin to realize that he could be a hero in Virginia. After the Stamp Act was passed, Henry was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. He introduced his famous resolution against the unjust taxation of the American colonies. From then on, he rose steadily until he became one of America's brilliant orators. In one of his first speeches on the resolution, he spoke words that foreshadowed his power and courage: "Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and George the Third may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it."

The great natural philosopher, Faraday, who was the son of a blacksmith, wrote, when a young man, to Humphry Davy, asking for employment at the Royal Institution. Davy consulted a friend on the matter. "Here is a letter from a young man named Faraday; he has been attending my lectures, and wants me to give him employment at the Royal Institution—what can I do?" "Do? put him to washing bottles; if he is good for anything he will do it directly; if he refuses he is good for nothing." But the boy who could experiment in the attic of an apothecary shop with an old pan and glass vials during every moment he could snatch from his work saw an opportunity in washing bottles, which led to a professorship at the Royal Academy at Woolwich. Tyndall said of this boy with no chance, "He is the greatest experimental philosopher the world has ever seen." He became the wonder of his age in science.

The great scientist Faraday was the son of a blacksmith. As a young man, he wrote to Humphry Davy, asking for a job at the Royal Institution. Davy asked a friend for advice. "Here is a letter from a young man named Faraday. He has been attending my lectures and wants me to give him a job at the Royal Institution. What can I do?" "Do? Put him to washing bottles. If he is good for anything, he will do it right away. If he refuses, he is good for nothing." But Faraday saw an opportunity in washing bottles. As a boy, he had experimented in the attic of an apothecary shop with an old pan and glass vials. He used every moment he could spare from his work. Washing bottles led him to a professorship at the Royal Academy at Woolwich. Tyndall said of this boy who had no chance, "He is the greatest experimental scientist the world has ever seen." He became the wonder of his age in science.

There is a legend of an artist who long sought for a piece of sandalwood, out of which to carve a Madonna. He was about to give up in despair, leaving the vision of his life unrealized, when in a dream he was bidden to carve his Madonna from a block of oak wood which was destined for the fire. He obeyed, and produced a masterpiece from a log of common firewood. Many of us lose great opportunities in life by waiting to find sandalwood for our carvings, when they really lie hidden in the common logs that we burn. One man goes through life without seeing chances for doing anything great, while another close beside him snatches from the same circumstances and privileges opportunities for achieving grand results.

There is a legend about an artist who spent a long time searching for sandalwood to carve a Madonna. He was about to give up in despair, leaving his life's vision unrealized. Then, in a dream, he was told to carve his Madonna from a block of oak meant for the fire. He obeyed and produced a masterpiece from a log of ordinary firewood. Many of us miss great opportunities in life while waiting to find sandalwood for our carvings. Yet those opportunities lie hidden in the ordinary logs we burn. One man goes through life without seeing chances to do anything great. Meanwhile, another man beside him seizes opportunities from the same circumstances and privileges and achieves grand results.

Opportunities? They are everywhere. "America is another name for opportunities. Our whole history appears like a last effort of divine Providence in behalf of the human race." Never before were there such grand openings, such chances, such opportunities. Especially is this true for girls and young women. A new era is dawning for them. Hundreds of occupations and professions, which were closed to them only a few years ago, are now inviting them to enter.

Opportunities? They are everywhere. "America is another name for opportunity. Our whole history looks like a final effort by divine Providence on behalf of the human race." Never before have there been such great openings, chances, and opportunities. This is especially true for girls and young women. A new era is beginning for them. Hundreds of occupations and professions were closed to them only a few years ago. Now these fields are inviting them in.

We can not all of us perhaps make great discoveries like Newton, Faraday, Edison, and Thompson, or paint immortal pictures like an Angelo or a Raphael. But we can all of us make our lives sublime, by seizing common occasions and making them great. What chance had the young girl, Grace Darling, to distinguish herself, living on those barren lighthouse rocks alone with her aged parents? But while her brothers and sisters, who moved to the cities to win wealth and fame, are not known to the world, she became more famous than a princess. This poor girl did not need to go to London to see the nobility; they came to the lighthouse to see her. Right at home she had won fame which the regal heirs might envy, and a name which will never perish from the earth. She did not wander away into dreamy distance for fame and fortune, but did her best where duty had placed her.

Perhaps not all of us can make great discoveries like Newton, Faraday, Edison, and Thompson. Nor can we all paint immortal pictures like an Angelo or a Raphael. But we can all make our lives sublime by seizing ordinary opportunities and making them great. What chance did the young Grace Darling have to distinguish herself? She lived alone with her elderly parents on those barren lighthouse rocks. Her brothers and sisters moved to the cities to seek wealth and fame, but the world does not know them. Grace, on the other hand, became more famous than a princess. This poor girl did not need to go to London to see the nobility. They came to the lighthouse to see her. Right at home, she had won fame that royal heirs might envy and a name that will never perish from the earth. She did not wander off to some distant, dreamlike place in search of fame and fortune. Instead, she did her best where duty had placed her.

If you want to get rich, study yourself and your own wants. You will find that millions have the same wants. The safest business is always connected with man's prime necessities. He must have clothing and dwelling; he must eat. He wants comforts, facilities of all kinds for pleasure, education, and culture. Any man who can supply a great want of humanity, improve any methods which men use, supply any demand of comfort, or contribute in any way to their well-being, can make a fortune.

If you want to get rich, study yourself and your own needs. You will find that millions of people have the same needs. The safest business is always connected to people’s basic necessities. They must have clothing and shelter, and they must eat. They also want comforts and all kinds of resources for pleasure, education, and culture. Anyone can make a fortune by meeting a great human need or improving methods people use. They can also make a fortune by providing a comfort people want or contributing in any way to people’s well-being.