The Power of Little Things

It is but the littleness of man that sees no greatness in trifles.—WENDELL PHILLIPS.

Only a small-minded person sees no greatness in little things. WENDELL PHILLIPS.

He that despiseth small things shall fall by little and little.—ECCLESIASTICUS.

Anyone who despises small things will fall little by little. ECCLESIASTICUS.

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.—EMERSON.

One acorn holds the potential to create a thousand forests. (EMERSON)

Men are led by trifles.—NAPOLEON.

Men are influenced by small things. NAPOLEON.

"The bad thing about a little sin is that it won't stay little."

"The problem with a little sin is that it won't stay little."

"Arletta's pretty feet, glistening in the brook, made her the mother of William the Conqueror," says Palgrave's "History of Normandy and England." "Had she not thus fascinated Duke Robert the Liberal, of Normandy, Harold would not have fallen at Hastings, no Anglo-Norman dynasty could have arisen, no British Empire."

"Arletta's pretty feet, glistening in the brook, made her the mother of William the Conqueror," says Palgrave's "History of Normandy and England." "Her feet fascinated Duke Robert the Liberal of Normandy. If they had not, Harold would not have fallen at Hastings. No Anglo-Norman dynasty could have arisen, and there would have been no British Empire."

We may tell which way the wind blew before the Deluge by marking the ripple and cupping of the rain in the petrified sand now preserved forever. We tell the very path by which gigantic creatures, whom man never saw, walked to the river's edge to find their food.

We can tell which way the wind blew before the Deluge by looking at ripples and rain marks preserved forever in hardened sand. We can trace the exact path that giant creatures took to the river’s edge to find food. No human ever saw these creatures.

It was little Greece that rolled back the overflowing tide of Asiatic luxury and despotism, giving instead to Europe and America models of the highest political freedom yet attained, and germs of limitless mental growth. A different result at Plataea would have delayed the progress of the human race more than ten centuries.

Little Greece pushed back the rising tide of Asiatic luxury and tyranny. Instead, Greece gave Europe and America models of the highest political freedom yet achieved, along with the seeds of limitless intellectual growth. A different outcome at Plataea would have delayed human progress by more than ten centuries.

Among the lofty Alps, it is said, the guides sometimes demand absolute silence, lest the vibration of the voice bring down an avalanche.

In the high Alps, guides sometimes demand complete silence, it is said, for fear that voices might trigger an avalanche.

The power of observation in the American Indian would put many an educated man to shame. Returning home, an Indian discovered that his venison, which had been hanging up to dry, had been stolen. After careful observation he started to track the thief through the woods. Meeting a man on the route, he asked him if he had seen a little, old, white man, with a short gun, and with a small bobtailed dog. The man told him he had met such a man, but was surprised to find that the Indian had not even seen the one he described, and asked him how he could give such a minute description of the man he had never seen. "I knew the thief was a little man," said the Indian, "because he rolled up a stone to stand on in order to reach the venison; I knew he was an old man by his short steps; I knew he was a white man by his turning out his toes in walking, which an Indian never does; I knew he had a short gun by the mark it left on the tree where he had stood it up; I knew the dog was small by his tracks and short steps, and that he had a bob-tail by the mark it left in the dust where he sat."

The American Indian's power of observation would put many educated men to shame. One Indian returned home to find that his venison, which he had hung up to dry, had been stolen. After looking carefully for clues, he set out to track the thief through the woods. On the way, he met a man and asked if he had seen a small, old, white man. The man carried a short gun and had a small dog with a short tail. The man said he had met someone like that. But he was surprised to learn that the Indian had not even seen the person he described. He asked how the Indian could describe a man he had never seen in such detail. "I knew the thief was a small man," said the Indian, "because he rolled up a stone to stand on so he could reach the venison. I knew he was an old man by his short steps. I knew he was a white man because he turned his toes outward when he walked, which an Indian never does. I knew he had a short gun by the mark it left on the tree where he had leaned it. I knew the dog was small by his tracks and short steps. I knew he had a short tail by the mark it left in the dust where he sat."

Two drops of rain, falling side by side, were separated a few inches by a gentle breeze. Striking on opposite sides of the roof of a court-house in Wisconsin, one rolled southward through the Rock River and the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico; while the other entered successively the Fox River, Green Bay, Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinaw, Lake Huron, St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, Lake Erie, Niagara River, Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and finally reached the Gulf of St. Lawrence. How slight the influence of the breeze, yet such was the formation of the continent that a trifling cause was multiplied almost beyond the power of figures to express its momentous effect upon the destinies of these companion raindrops. Who can calculate the future of the smallest trifle when a mud crack swells to an Amazon and the stealing of a penny may end on the scaffold? The act of a moment may cause a life's regret. A trigger may be pulled in an instant, but the soul returns never.

Two drops of rain fell side by side, but a gentle breeze separated them by a few inches. They struck opposite sides of the roof of a courthouse in Wisconsin. One rolled southward through the Rock River and the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. The other entered the Fox River, Green Bay, Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinaw, and Lake Huron. It then passed through the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, Lake Erie, Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River. Finally, it reached the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The breeze had so little influence. Yet the continent was shaped in such a way that this small cause had an immense effect on the companion raindrops’ destinies. Its effect was almost beyond what numbers could express. Who can calculate the future of the smallest trifle? A crack in the mud can swell into an Amazon, and stealing a penny may end on the scaffold. An act of a moment may cause a lifetime of regret. A trigger can be pulled in an instant, but the soul never returns.

A spark falling upon some combustibles led to the invention of gunpowder. A few bits of seaweed and driftwood, floating on the waves, enabled Columbus to stay a mutiny of his sailors which threatened to prevent the discovery of a new world. There are moments in history which balance years of ordinary life. Dana could interest a class for hours on a grain of sand; and from a single bone, such as no one had ever seen before, Agassiz could deduce the entire structure and habits of an animal which no man had ever seen so accurately that subsequent discoveries of complete skeletons have not changed one of his conclusions.

A spark falling on some flammable materials led to the invention of gunpowder. A few pieces of seaweed and driftwood floated on the waves. They enabled Columbus to stop a mutiny among his sailors that threatened to prevent the discovery of a new world. Some moments in history are worth years of ordinary life. Dana could hold a class’s interest for hours with a grain of sand. From a single bone unlike any ever seen before, Agassiz could deduce the entire structure and habits of an animal no one had ever seen. His deductions were so accurate that later discoveries of complete skeletons have not changed a single one of his conclusions.

A cricket once saved a military expedition from destruction. The commanding officer and hundreds of his men were going to South America on a great ship, and, through the carelessness of the watch, they would have been dashed upon a ledge of rock had it not been for a cricket which a soldier had brought on board. When the little insect scented the land, it broke its long silence by a shrill note, and thus warned them of their danger.

A cricket once saved a military expedition from destruction. The commanding officer and hundreds of his men were sailing to South America on a large ship. The watch was careless, and the ship would have crashed into a ledge of rock. But a soldier had brought a cricket on board. When the little insect smelled land, it broke its long silence with a shrill chirp, warning them of danger.

By gnawing through a dike, even a rat may drown a nation. A little boy in Holland saw water trickling from a small hole near the bottom of a dike. He realized that the leak would rapidly become larger if the water were not checked, so he held his hand over the hole for hours on a dark and dismal night until he could attract the attention of passers-by. His name is still held in grateful remembrance in Holland.

Even a rat may drown a nation by gnawing through a dike. A little boy in Holland saw water trickling from a small hole near the bottom of a dike. He realized that the hole would quickly grow larger if the water was not stopped. So he held his hand over the hole for hours on a dark, gloomy night. Finally, he attracted the attention of people passing by. His name is still remembered with gratitude in Holland.

The beetling chalk cliffs of England were built by rhizopods, too small to be clearly seen without the aid of a magnifying-glass.

England's overhanging chalk cliffs were built by rhizopods. These are too small to be seen clearly without a magnifying glass.

What was so unlikely as that throwing an empty wine-flask in the fire should furnish the first notion of a locomotive, or that the sickness of an Italian chemist's wife and her absurd craving for reptiles for food should begin the electric telegraph. Madame Galvani noticed the contraction of the muscles of a skinned frog which was accidentally touched at the moment her husband took a spark from an electrical machine. She gave the hint which led to the discovery of galvanic electricity, now so useful in the arts and in transmitting vocal or written language.

What could be more unlikely than an empty wine flask thrown into a fire inspiring the first idea of a locomotive? Or that an Italian chemist's wife's illness and her absurd craving for reptiles to eat would lead to the electric telegraph? Madame Galvani noticed the muscles of a skinned frog contract when it was accidentally touched. At that same moment, her husband drew a spark from an electrical machine. Her observation provided the clue that led to the discovery of galvanic electricity. This electricity is now very useful in the arts and in transmitting spoken or written language.

"The fate of a nation," says Gladstone, "has often depended upon the good or bad digestion of a fine dinner."

"The fate of a nation," Gladstone says, "has often depended on whether a fine dinner was digested well or poorly."

A stamp act to raise 60,000 pounds produced the American Revolution, a war that cost England 100,000,000 pounds. A war between France and England, costing more than a hundred thousand lives, grew out of a quarrel as to which of two vessels should first be served with water. The quarrel of two Indian boys over a grasshopper led to the "Grasshopper War." What mighty contests rise from trivial things!

A stamp act intended to raise 60,000 pounds led to the American Revolution. That war cost England 100,000,000 pounds. A war between France and England grew out of an argument over which of two ships should get water first. The war cost more than a hundred thousand lives. A quarrel between two Indian boys over a grasshopper led to the "Grasshopper War." What mighty conflicts arise from trivial things!

A young man once went to India to seek his fortune, but, finding no opening, he went to his room, loaded his pistol, put the muzzle to his head, and pulled the trigger. But it did not go off. He went to the window to point it in another direction and try it again, resolved that if the weapon went off he would regard it as a Providence that he was spared. He pulled the trigger and it went off the first time. Trembling with excitement he resolved to hold his life sacred, to make the most of it, and never again to cheapen it. This young man became General Robert Clive, who, with but a handful of European soldiers, secured to the East India Company and afterwards to Great Britain a great and rich country with two hundred millions of people.

A young man once went to India to seek his fortune. But he found no opportunity, so he went to his room and loaded his pistol. He put the muzzle to his head and pulled the trigger, but the pistol did not fire. He went to the window to point the pistol in another direction and try again. He decided that if it fired, he would see his survival as an act of Providence. He pulled the trigger, and the pistol fired on the first try. Trembling with excitement, he resolved to treat his life as sacred, make the most of it, and never again treat it as cheap. This young man became General Robert Clive. With only a handful of European soldiers, he secured a large, rich country with two hundred million people for the East India Company and later for Great Britain.

The cackling of a goose aroused the sentinels and saved Rome from the Gauls, and the pain from a thistle warned a Scottish army of the approach of the Danes.

The cackling of a goose woke the guards and saved Rome from the Gauls. The pain of a thistle warned a Scottish army that the Danes were approaching.

Henry Ward Beecher came within one vote of being elected superintendent of a railway. If he had had that vote America would probably have lost its greatest preacher. What a little thing fixes destiny!

Henry Ward Beecher came within one vote of being elected superintendent of a railway. If he had received that vote, America would probably have lost its greatest preacher. What a small thing can determine a destiny!

Trifles light as air often suggest to the thinking mind ideas which have revolutionized the world.

Things as light as air often inspire thoughtful people with ideas that have revolutionized the world.

A famous ruby was offered to the English government. The report of the crown jeweler was that it was the finest he had ever seen or heard of, but that one of the "facets" was slightly fractured. That invisible fracture reduced the value of the ruby thousands of dollars, and it was rejected from the regalia of England.

A famous ruby was offered to the English government. The crown jeweler reported that it was the finest he had ever seen or heard of. But one of its "facets" was slightly cracked. That invisible crack reduced the ruby’s value by thousands of dollars, and it was rejected from England’s crown jewels.

It was a little thing for the janitor to leave a lamp swinging in the cathedral at Pisa, but in that steady swaying motion the boy Galileo saw the pendulum, and conceived the idea of thus measuring time.

It was a small thing for the janitor to leave a lamp swinging in the cathedral at Pisa. But in its steady swaying, the boy Galileo saw the pendulum and thought of using it to measure time.

"I was singing to the mouthpiece of a telephone," said Edison, "when the vibrations of my voice caused a fine steel point to pierce one of my fingers held just behind it. That set me to thinking. If I could record the motions of the point and send it over the same surface afterward, I saw no reason why the thing would not talk. I determined to make a machine that would work accurately, and gave my assistants the necessary instructions, telling them what I had discovered. That's the whole story. The phonograph is the result of the pricking of a finger."

"I was singing into the mouthpiece of a telephone," said Edison, "when my voice made a fine steel point vibrate. It pierced one of my fingers, which I was holding just behind it. That got me thinking. If I could record the point's movements and run it over the same surface afterward, I saw no reason why it wouldn't talk. I decided to make a machine that would work accurately. I told my assistants what I had discovered and gave them the necessary instructions. That's the whole story. The phonograph is the result of a pricked finger."

It was a little thing for a cow to kick over a lantern left in a shanty, but it laid Chicago in ashes, and rendered homeless a hundred thousand people.

It was a small thing for a cow to kick over a lantern left in a shack. But it reduced Chicago to ashes and left a hundred thousand people homeless.

Some little weakness, some self-indulgence, a quick temper, want of decision, are little things, you say, when placed beside great abilities, but they have wrecked many a career.

You may say that a small weakness, self-indulgence, a quick temper, or indecision matters little compared with great abilities. But such flaws have wrecked many careers.

The Parliament of Great Britain, the Congress of the United States, and representative governments all over the world have come from King John signing the Magna Charta.

The Parliament of Great Britain, the Congress of the United States, and representative governments around the world all arose from King John's signing of the Magna Charta.

Bentham says, "The turn of a sentence has decided many a friendship, and, for aught we know, the fate of many a kingdom." Perhaps you turned a cold shoulder but once, and made but one stinging remark, yet it may have cost you a friend forever.

Bentham says, "The way a sentence is phrased has decided many friendships and, for all we know, many kingdoms' fates." Perhaps you gave someone the cold shoulder just once and made one stinging remark. Yet that may have cost you a friend forever.

The sight of a stranded cuttlefish led Cuvier to an investigation which made him one of the greatest natural historians in the world. The web of a spider suggested to Captain Brown the idea of a suspension bridge.

Seeing a stranded cuttlefish led Cuvier to investigate it. This investigation made him one of the world's greatest natural historians. A spider's web gave Captain Brown the idea for a suspension bridge.

A missing marriage certificate kept the hod-carrier of Hugh Miller from establishing his claim to the Earldom of Crawford. The masons would call out, "John, Yearl of Crawford, bring us anither hod o' lime."

A missing marriage certificate kept Hugh Miller's hod-carrier from proving his claim to the Earldom of Crawford. The masons would call out, "John, Earl of Crawford, bring us another hod of lime."

The absence of a comma in a bill which passed through Congress years ago cost our government a million dollars. A single misspelled word prevented a deserving young man from obtaining a situation as instructor in a New England college.

Years ago, a missing comma in a bill passed by Congress cost our government a million dollars. A single misspelled word kept a deserving young man from getting a job as an instructor at a New England college.

"I cannot see that you have made any progress since my last visit," said a gentleman to Michael Angelo. "But," said the sculptor, "I have retouched this part, polished that, softened that feature, brought out that muscle, given some expression to this lip, more energy to that limb, etc." "But they are trifles!" exclaimed the visitor. "It may be so," replied the great artist, "but trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle." That infinite patience which made Michael Angelo spend a week in bringing out a muscle in a statue, with more vital fidelity to truth, or Gerhard Dow a day in giving the right effect to a dewdrop on a cabbage leaf, makes all the difference between success and failure.

"I can't see that you've made any progress since my last visit," a gentleman said to Michael Angelo. "But," said the sculptor, "I've touched up this part, polished that one, and softened that feature. I've brought out that muscle, given this lip some expression, and given that limb more energy, and so on." "But those are small details!" exclaimed the visitor. "That may be so," replied the great artist, "but small details make perfection, and perfection is no small thing." That infinite patience makes all the difference between success and failure. It led Michael Angelo to spend a week making a muscle in a statue look more true to life. It also led Gerhard Dow to spend a day getting the effect of a dewdrop on a cabbage leaf just right.

The cry of the infant Moses attracted the attention of Pharoah's daughter, and gave the Jews a lawgiver. A bird alighting on the bough of a tree at the mouth of the cave where Mahomet lay hid turned aside his pursuers, and gave a prophet to many nations. A flight of birds probably prevented Columbus from discovering this continent. When he was growing anxious, Martin Alonzo Pinzon persuaded him to follow a flight of parrots toward the southwest; for to the Spanish seamen of that day it was good luck to follow in the wake of a flock of birds when on a voyage of discovery. But for his change of course Columbus would have reached the coast of Florida. "Never," wrote Humboldt, "had the flight of birds more important consequences."

The cry of the infant Moses caught the attention of Pharoah's daughter and gave the Jews a lawgiver. A bird landed on a tree branch at the mouth of the cave where Mahomet was hiding. It turned his pursuers away and gave a prophet to many nations. A flock of birds probably prevented Columbus from discovering this continent. When Columbus was growing anxious, Martin Alonzo Pinzon persuaded him to follow a flock of parrots toward the southwest. Spanish sailors of that day believed it was good luck to follow a flock of birds on a voyage of discovery. If Columbus had not changed course, he would have reached the coast of Florida. "Never," wrote Humboldt, "had the flight of birds more important consequences."

The children of a spectacle-maker placed two or more pairs of the spectacles before each other in play, and told their father that distant objects looked larger. From this hint came the telescope.

A spectacle maker's children were playing with two or more pairs of glasses, holding them in front of one another. They told their father that distant objects looked larger. This discovery led to the telescope.

Every day is a little life; and our whole life but a day repeated. Those that dare lose a day are dangerously prodigal; those that dare misspend it, desperate. What is the happiness of your life made up of? Little courtesies, little kindnesses, pleasant words, genial smiles, a friendly letter, good wishes, and good deeds. One in a million—once in a lifetime—may do a heroic action.

Every day is a little life, and our whole life is a day repeated. Those who dare waste a day are dangerously reckless. Those who dare misuse a day are desperate. What makes up the happiness of your life? Little courtesies, little kindnesses, pleasant words, warm smiles, a friendly letter, good wishes, and good deeds. One person in a million may perform a heroic act once in a lifetime.

Napoleon was a master of trifles. To details which his inferior officers thought too microscopic for their notice he gave the most exhaustive consideration. Nothing was too small for his attention. He must know all about the provisions, the horse fodder, the biscuits, the camp kettles, the shoes. When the bugle sounded for the march to battle, every officer had his orders as to the exact route which he should follow, the exact day he was to arrive at a certain station, and the exact hour he was to leave, and they were all to reach the point of destination at a precise moment. It is said that nothing could be more perfectly planned than his memorable march which led to the victory of Austerlitz, and which sealed the fate of Europe for many years. He would often charge his absent officers to send him perfectly accurate returns, even to the smallest detail. "When they are sent to me, I give up every occupation in order to read them in detail, and to observe the difference between one monthly return and another. No young girl enjoys her novel as much as I do these returns." Napoleon left nothing to chance, nothing to contingency, so far as he could possibly avoid it. Everything was planned to a nicety before he attempted to execute it.

Napoleon was a master of small details. His subordinate officers thought some details too tiny to notice, but he gave them the most thorough consideration. Nothing was too small for his attention. He had to know everything about the provisions, horse feed, biscuits, camp kettles, and shoes. When the bugle sounded for the march to battle, every officer had his orders. Each knew the exact route to follow, the exact day to arrive at a certain station, and the exact hour to leave. All were to reach their destination at a precise moment. It is said that nothing could have been more perfectly planned than his memorable march to victory at Austerlitz. That victory sealed the fate of Europe for many years. He often instructed officers away from him to send perfectly accurate reports, down to the smallest detail. "When they are sent to me, I give up everything else to read them in detail. I look at the differences between one monthly report and another. No young girl enjoys her novel as much as I enjoy these reports." Napoleon left nothing to chance or unexpected events, as far as he could possibly avoid it. Everything was planned down to the last detail before he tried to carry it out.

Wellington, too, was "great in little things." He knew no such things as trifles. While other generals trusted to subordinates, he gave his personal attention to the minutest detail. The history of many a failure could be written in three words, "Lack of detail." How many a lawyer has failed from the lack of details in deeds and important papers, the lack of little words which seemed like surplusage, and which involved his clients in litigation, and often great losses! How many wills are contested from the carelessness of lawyers in the omission or shading of words, or ambiguous use of language!

Wellington, too, was "great in little things." He considered nothing too trivial to matter. While other generals relied on subordinates, he personally attended to the smallest detail. The history of many a failure could be written in three words: "Lack of detail." How many lawyers have failed because they neglected details in deeds and important papers! They left out small words that seemed unnecessary, exposing their clients to lawsuits and often great losses. How many wills are contested because lawyers carelessly omit words, shade their meaning, or use ambiguous language!

Not even Helen of Troy, it is said, was beautiful enough to spare the tip of her nose; and if Cleopatra's had been an inch shorter Mark Antony might never have become infatuated with her wonderful charms, and the blemish would have changed the history of the world. Anne Boleyn's fascinating smile split the great Church of Rome in twain, and gave a nation an altered destiny. Napoleon, who feared not to attack the proudest monarchs in their capitols, shrank from the political influence of one independent woman in private life, Madame de Staël.

It is said that even Helen of Troy could not have spared the tip of her nose without losing her beauty. If Cleopatra's nose had been an inch shorter, Mark Antony might never have been captivated by her wonderful charms. That flaw would have changed the history of the world. Anne Boleyn's captivating smile split the great Church of Rome in two and changed a nation's destiny. Napoleon was not afraid to attack the proudest monarchs in their capitals. Yet he feared the political influence of one independent woman in private life, Madame de Staël.

Cromwell was about to sail for America when a law was passed prohibiting emigration. At that time he was a profligate, having squandered all his property. But when he found that he could not leave England he reformed his life. Had he not been detained, who can tell what the history of Great Britain would have been?

Cromwell was about to sail for America when a law was passed banning emigration. At the time, he was living recklessly and had wasted all his property. But when he found that he could not leave England, he changed his ways. If he had not been stopped, who can tell what the history of Great Britain would have been?

From the careful and persistent accumulation of innumerable facts, each trivial in itself, but in the aggregate forming a mass of evidence, a Darwin extracts his law of evolution, and a Linnaeus constructs the science of botany. A pan of water and two thermometers were the tools by which Dr. Black discovered latent heat; and a prism, a lens, and a sheet of pasteboard enabled Newton to unfold the composition of light and the origin of colors. An eminent foreign savant called on Dr. Wollaston, and asked to be shown over those laboratories of his in which science had been enriched by so many great discoveries, when the doctor took him into a little study, and, pointing to an old tea tray on the table, on which stood a few watch glasses, test papers, a small balance, and a blow-pipe, said, "There is my laboratory." A burnt stick and a barn door served Wilkie in lieu of pencil and paper. A single potato, carried to England by Sir Walter Raleigh in the sixteenth century, has multiplied into food for millions, driving famine from Ireland again and again.

Darwin developed his law of evolution by carefully and persistently gathering countless facts. Each fact was trivial on its own, but together they formed a great mass of evidence. In the same way, Linnaeus built the science of botany. Dr. Black discovered latent heat using a pan of water and two thermometers. With a prism, a lens, and a sheet of cardboard, Newton revealed the composition of light and the origin of colors. A distinguished foreign scientist once visited Dr. Wollaston. He asked to see the laboratories where Wollaston had made so many great discoveries that enriched science. The doctor took him into a small study and pointed to an old tea tray on the table. On it stood a few watch glasses, test papers, a small balance, and a blowpipe. "There is my laboratory," he said. Wilkie used a burnt stick and a barn door instead of pencil and paper. A single potato, brought to England by Sir Walter Raleigh in the sixteenth century, has multiplied to feed millions. It has driven famine from Ireland again and again.

It seemed a small thing to drive William Brewster, John Robinson, and the poor people of Austerfield and Scrooby into perpetual exile, but as Pilgrims they became the founders of a mighty people.

Forcing William Brewster, John Robinson, and the poor people of Austerfield and Scrooby into permanent exile seemed a small thing. But as Pilgrims, they became the founders of a mighty people.

A few immortal sentences from Garrison and Phillips, a few poems from Lowell and Whittier, and the leaven is at work which will not cease its action until the whipping-post and bodily servitude are abolished forever.

A few immortal sentences from Garrison and Phillips, and a few poems from Lowell and Whittier, have set change in motion. It will not stop until the whipping-post and bodily servitude are abolished forever.

says Poor Richard, "for want of a horseshoe nail."

says Poor Richard, "because a horseshoe nail was missing."

A single remark dropped by an unknown person in the street led to the successful story of "The Bread-winners." A hymn chanted by the barefooted friars in the temple of Jupiter at Rome led to the famous "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."

A passing remark by a stranger on the street led to the successful story "The Bread-winners." A hymn sung by barefoot friars in the temple of Jupiter in Rome led to the famous "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."

"Words are things" says Byron, "and a small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think."

"Words are things," says Byron, "and a small drop of ink, falling like dew on a thought, can make thousands, perhaps millions, think."

"I give these books for the founding of a college in this colony"; such were the words of ten ministers who in the year 1700 assembled at the village of Branford, a few miles east of New Haven. Each of the worthy fathers deposited a few books upon the table around which they were sitting; such was the founding of Yale College.

"I give these books to found a college in this colony." These were the words of ten ministers who gathered in 1700 in the village of Branford, a few miles east of New Haven. Each of the worthy ministers placed a few books on the table around which they sat. This was how Yale College was founded.

Great men are noted for their attention to trifles. Goethe once asked a monarch to excuse him, during an interview, while he went to an adjoining room to jot down a stray thought. Hogarth would make sketches of rare faces and characteristics upon his finger-nails upon the streets. Indeed, to a truly great mind there are no little things. Trifles light as air suggest to the keen observer the solution of mighty problems. Bits of glass arranged to amuse children led to the discovery of the kaleidoscope. Goodyear discovered how to vulcanize rubber by forgetting, until it became red hot, a skillet containing a compound which he had before considered worthless. A ship-worm boring a piece of wood suggested to Sir Isambard Brunel the idea of a tunnel under the Thames at London. Tracks of extinct animals in the old red sandstone led Hugh Miller on and on until he became the greatest geologist of his time. Sir Walter Scott once saw a shepherd boy plodding sturdily along, and asked him to ride. This boy was George Kemp, who became so enthusiastic in his study of sculpture that he walked fifty miles and back to see a beautiful statue. He did not forget the kindness of Sir Walter, and, when the latter died, threw his soul into the design of the magnificent monument erected in Edinburgh to the memory of the author of "Waverley."

Great men are known for paying attention to small details. During an interview with a monarch, Goethe once asked to be excused. He went into the next room to write down a passing thought. On the streets, Hogarth would sketch unusual faces and features on his fingernails. Indeed, to a truly great mind, nothing is too small. The slightest things can suggest solutions to great problems to a keen observer. Pieces of glass arranged to amuse children led to the discovery of the kaleidoscope. Goodyear discovered how to vulcanize rubber after forgetting a skillet until it became red hot. It contained a compound he had previously thought worthless. A shipworm boring into wood gave Sir Isambard Brunel the idea for a tunnel under the Thames in London. Tracks of extinct animals in the old red sandstone led Hugh Miller further and further in his studies. He became the greatest geologist of his time. Sir Walter Scott once saw a shepherd boy trudging steadily along and invited him to ride. The boy was George Kemp, who became an enthusiastic student of sculpture. He once walked fifty miles to see a beautiful statue, then walked fifty miles back. He did not forget Sir Walter's kindness. After Scott died, Kemp put his heart into designing the magnificent monument erected in Edinburgh to honor the author of "Waverley."

A poor boy applied for a situation at a bank in Paris, but was refused. As he left the door, he picked up a pin. The bank president saw this, called the boy back, and gave him a situation from which he rose until he became the greatest banker of Paris,—Laffitte.

A poor boy applied for a job at a bank in Paris, but he was turned down. As he left, he picked up a pin. The bank president saw him do this, called him back, and gave him a job. The boy, Laffitte, rose from that position to become the greatest banker in Paris.

A Massachusetts soldier in the Civil War observed a bird hulling rice, and shot it; taking its bill for a model, he invented a hulling machine which has revolutionized the rice business.

During the Civil War, a Massachusetts soldier saw a bird removing the hulls from rice and shot it. Using the bird’s beak as a model, he invented a hulling machine that revolutionized the rice business.

The eye is a perpetual camera imprinting upon the sensitive mental plates and packing away in the brain for future use every face, every tree, every plant, flower, hill, stream, mountain, every scene upon the street, in fact, everything which comes within its range. There is a phonograph in our natures which catches, however thoughtless and transient, every syllable we utter, and registers forever the slightest enunciation, and renders it immortal. These notes may appear a thousand years hence, reproduced in our descendants, in all their beautiful or terrible detail.

The eye is a camera that never stops recording. It imprints everything in its range on sensitive mental plates and stores the images in the brain for future use. It captures every face, tree, plant, flower, hill, stream, mountain, and street scene. Within us is a recording device that catches every syllable we utter, however thoughtless or fleeting. It records even the slightest sound we make, preserving it forever. A thousand years from now, these recordings may appear in our descendants, reproduced in all their beautiful or terrible detail.

"Least of all seeds, greatest of all harvests," seems to be one of the great laws of nature. All life comes from microscopic beginnings. In nature there is nothing small. The microscope reveals as great a world below as the telescope above. All of nature's laws govern the smallest atoms, and a single drop of water is a miniature ocean.

"The smallest seeds, the greatest harvests" seems to be one of nature’s great laws. All life begins on a microscopic scale. In nature, nothing is small. The microscope reveals a world as vast below as the telescope reveals above. All of nature’s laws govern the smallest atoms, and a single drop of water is a miniature ocean.

The strength of a chain lies in its weakest link, however large and strong all the others may be. We are all inclined to be proud of our strong points, while we are sensitive and neglectful of our weaknesses. Yet it is our greatest weakness which measures our real strength.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, no matter how large and strong the others are. We all tend to be proud of our strengths, while feeling sensitive about our weaknesses and neglecting them. Yet our greatest weakness is the measure of our true strength.

A soldier who escapes the bullets of a thousand battles may die from the scratch of a pin, and many a ship has survived the shocks of icebergs and the storms of ocean only to founder in a smooth sea from holes made by tiny insects.

A soldier who survives the bullets of a thousand battles may die from a pin scratch. Many ships have survived collisions with icebergs and ocean storms, only to sink in calm seas from holes made by tiny insects.

Small things become great when a great soul sees them. A single noble or heroic act of one man has sometimes elevated a nation. Many an honorable career has resulted from a kind word spoken in season or the warm grasp of a friendly hand.

Small things become great when a great soul sees them. A single noble or heroic act by one man has sometimes lifted a nation. Many honorable careers have begun with a kind word at the right moment or a warm handshake from a friend.