Personality as an Asset for Success

There is something about one's personality which eludes the photographer, which the painter can not reproduce, which the sculptor can not chisel. This subtle something which every one feels, but which no one can describe, which no biographer ever put down in a book, has a great deal to do with one's success in life.

There is something about a person's personality that a photographer cannot capture, a painter cannot reproduce, and a sculptor cannot carve. Everyone feels this subtle quality, but no one can describe it. No biographer has ever captured it in a book. Yet it has a great deal to do with a person's success in life.

It is this indescribable quality, which some persons have in a remarkable degree, which sets an audience wild at the mention of the name of a Blaine or a Lincoln,—which makes people applaud beyond the bounds of enthusiasm. It was this peculiar atmosphere which made Clay the idol of his constituents. Although, perhaps, Calhoun was a greater man, he never aroused any such enthusiasm as "the mill-boy of the slashes." Webster and Sumner were great men, but they did not arouse a tithe of the spontaneous enthusiasm evoked by men like Blaine and Clay.

Some people have this indescribable quality to a remarkable degree. It sends an audience into a frenzy at the mention of a Blaine or a Lincoln. It makes people applaud beyond the bounds of enthusiasm. This distinctive presence made Clay the idol of his constituents. Although Calhoun was perhaps a greater man, he never stirred the same enthusiasm as "the mill-boy of the slashes." Webster and Sumner were great men, but they did not inspire a tenth of the spontaneous enthusiasm that men like Blaine and Clay did.

A historian says that, in measuring Kossuth's influence over the masses, "we must first reckon with the orator's physical bulk, and then carry the measuring line above his atmosphere." If we had discernment fine enough and tests delicate enough, we could not only measure the personal atmosphere of individuals, but could also make more accurate estimates concerning the future possibilities of schoolmates and young friends. We are often misled as to the position they are going to occupy from the fact that we are apt to take account merely of their ability, and do not reckon this personal atmosphere or magnetic power as a part of their success-capital. Yet this individual atmosphere has quite as much to do with one's advancement as brain-power or education. Indeed, we constantly see men of mediocre ability but with fine personal presence, superb manner, and magnetic qualities, being rapidly advanced over the heads of those who are infinitely their superiors in mental endowments.

A historian says that, in measuring Kossuth's influence over the masses, "we must first account for the speaker's physical size, and then measure the atmosphere around him." If our perception and tests were sensitive enough, we could measure each person's individual atmosphere. We could also judge more accurately what our schoolmates and young friends might achieve in the future. We are often mistaken about the positions they will reach because we tend to consider only their ability. We do not count their personal atmosphere or magnetic power as an asset that contributes to success. Yet this individual atmosphere has as much to do with advancement as intelligence or education. Indeed, we constantly see men of mediocre ability advance rapidly past those with far greater intellectual gifts. They do so because they have a fine personal presence, excellent manners, and magnetic qualities.

A good illustration of the influence of personal atmosphere is found in the orator who carries his audience with him like a whirlwind, while he is delivering his speech, and yet so little of this personal element adheres to his cold words in print that those who read them are scarcely moved at all. The influence of such speakers depends almost wholly upon their presence,—the atmosphere that emanates from them. They are much larger than anything they say or do.

A speaker offers a good example of the influence of personal atmosphere. While giving a speech, the speaker sweeps the audience along like a whirlwind. Yet so little of the speaker’s personal influence remains in the printed words that readers are hardly moved at all. The influence of such speakers depends almost entirely on their presence and the atmosphere they create. They are much larger than anything they say or do.

Certain personalities are greater than mere physical beauty and more powerful than learning. Charm of personality is a divine gift that sways the strongest characters, and sometimes even controls the destinies of nations.

Some personalities are greater than physical beauty and more powerful than learning. Personal charm is a divine gift that influences even the strongest people. Sometimes it even controls the destinies of nations.

We are unconsciously influenced by people who possess this magnetic power. The moment we come into their presence we have a sense of enlargement. They unlock within us possibilities of which we previously had no conception. Our horizon broadens; we feel a new power stirring through all our being; we experience a sense of relief, as if a great weight which long had pressed upon us had been removed.

We are influenced without realizing it by people who have this magnetic power. The moment we are with them, we feel ourselves expand. They unlock possibilities within us that we never knew existed. Our horizons broaden, and we feel a new power stirring throughout our being. We feel relieved, as if a great weight that had long pressed on us had been lifted.

We can converse with such people in a way that astonishes us, although meeting them, perhaps, for the first time. We express ourselves more clearly and eloquently than we believed we could. They draw out the best that is in us; they introduce us, as it were, to our larger, better selves. With their presence, impulses and longings come thronging to our minds which never stirred us before. All at once life takes on a higher and nobler meaning, and we are fired with a desire to do more than we have ever before done, and to be more than we have been in the past.

We can talk with such people in ways that surprise us, even if we are meeting them for the first time. We express ourselves more clearly and eloquently than we thought possible. They bring out the best in us. They introduce us, so to speak, to our larger, better selves. In their presence, our minds fill with impulses and longings we have never felt before. Suddenly, life takes on a higher and nobler meaning. We are inspired to do more than we ever have before, and to become more than we have been.

A few minutes before, perhaps, we were sad and discouraged, when, suddenly, the flashlight of a potent personality of this kind has opened a rift in our lives and revealed to us hidden capabilities. Sadness gives place to joy, despair to hope, and disheartenment to encouragement. We have been touched to finer issues; we have caught a glimpse of higher ideals; and, for the moment, at least, have been transformed. The old commonplace life, with its absence of purpose and endeavor, has dropped out of sight, and we resolve, with better heart and newer hope, to struggle to make permanently ours the forces and potentialities that have been revealed to us.

Perhaps a few minutes ago, we were sad and discouraged. Then, suddenly, the light of such a powerful personality broke through and revealed abilities we did not know we had. Sadness gives way to joy, despair to hope, and discouragement to encouragement. We have been inspired to pursue finer goals and have glimpsed higher ideals. For the moment, at least, we have been transformed. Our old, ordinary life, without purpose or effort, has faded from view. With renewed courage and hope, we resolve to work to make the strengths and possibilities we have discovered permanently our own.

Even a momentary contact with a character of this kind seems to double our mental and soul powers, as two great dynamos double the current which passes over the wire, and we are loath to leave the magical presence lest we lose our new-born power.

Even a brief encounter with a person of this kind seems to double our mental and spiritual powers. It is like two great generators doubling the current flowing through a wire. We are reluctant to leave their magical presence, afraid we might lose our newfound power.

On the other hand, we frequently meet people who make us shrivel and shrink into ourselves. The moment they come near us we experience a cold chill, as if a blast of winter had struck us in midsummer. A blighting, narrowing sensation, which seems to make us suddenly smaller, passes over us. We feel a decided loss of power, of possibility. We could no more smile in their presence than we could laugh while at a funeral. Their gloomy miasmatic atmosphere chills all our natural impulses. In their presence there is no possibility of expansion for us. As a dark cloud suddenly obscures the brightness of a smiling summer sky, their shadows are cast upon us and fill us with vague, undefinable uneasiness.

On the other hand, we often meet people who make us shrivel and shrink into ourselves. The moment they come near, we feel a chill, as if a winter blast had struck us in midsummer. A crushing, constricting feeling comes over us, making us seem suddenly smaller. We feel a definite loss of power and possibility. We could no more smile in their presence than laugh at a funeral. Their gloomy, toxic atmosphere chills all our natural impulses. In their presence, we have no room to grow. Their shadows fall on us like a dark cloud suddenly covering a bright, smiling summer sky. They fill us with a vague, unexplainable uneasiness.

We instinctively feel that such people have no sympathy with our aspirations, and our natural prompting is to guard closely any expression of our hopes and ambitions. When they are near us our laudable purposes and desires shrink into insignificance and mere foolishness; the charm of sentiment vanishes and life seems to lose color and zest. The effect of their presence is paralyzing, and we hasten from it as soon as possible.

We instinctively feel that such people do not understand our aspirations. So we naturally hold back from sharing our hopes and ambitions. When they are near, our worthy goals and desires seem insignificant and foolish. The charm of our feelings fades, and life seems to lose its color and zest. Their presence has a paralyzing effect, and we hurry away as soon as we can.

If we study these two types of personality, we shall find that the chief difference between them is that the first loves his kind, and the latter does not. Of course, that rare charm of manner which captivates all those who come within the sphere of its influence, and that strong personal magnetism which inclines all hearts toward its fortunate possessor, are largely natural gifts. But we shall find that the man who practises unselfishness, who is genuinely interested in the welfare of others, who feels it a privilege to have the power to do a fellow-creature a kindness,—even though polished manners and a gracious presence may be conspicuous by their absence,—will be an elevating influence wherever he goes. He will bring encouragement to and uplift every life that touches his. He will be trusted and loved by all who come in contact with him. This type of personality we may all cultivate if we will.

If we study these two personality types, we find that the main difference is that the first loves other people, while the second does not. Of course, the rare charm that captivates everyone it touches is largely a natural gift. So is the strong personal magnetism that draws all hearts toward the fortunate person who has it. But a man who practices unselfishness will lift others wherever he goes. He is genuinely interested in their welfare and feels privileged to be able to do someone a kindness. He will be an uplifting influence even if he has neither polished manners nor a gracious presence. He will encourage and uplift every life that touches his. Everyone who comes into contact with him will trust and love him. We can all develop this kind of personality if we choose to.

Magnetic personality is intangible. This mysterious something, which we sometimes call individuality, is often more powerful than the ability which can be measured, or the qualities that can be rated.

A magnetic personality is intangible. This mysterious quality, which we sometimes call individuality, is often more powerful than measurable abilities or qualities that can be rated.

Many women are endowed with this magnetic quality, which is entirely independent of personal beauty. It is often possessed in a high degree by very plain women. This was notably the case with some of the women who ruled in the French salons more absolutely than the king on his throne.

Many women have this magnetic quality, which has nothing to do with physical beauty. Even very plain women often have it to a remarkable degree. This was especially true of some women who ruled the French salons more absolutely than the king ruled from his throne.

At a social gathering, when conversation drags, and interest is at a low ebb, the entrance of some bright woman with a magnetic personality instantly changes the whole situation. She may not be handsome, but everybody is attracted; it is a privilege to speak to her.

At a social gathering, the conversation may drag and interest may fade. Then a lively woman with a magnetic personality enters, and the whole mood instantly changes. She may not be beautiful, but everyone is drawn to her. It is a privilege to speak to her.

People who possess this rare quality are frequently ignorant of the source of their power. They simply know they have it, but can not locate or describe it. While it is, like poetry, music, or art, a gift of nature, born in one, it can be cultivated to a certain extent.

People who have this rare quality often do not know the source of their power. They simply know they have it, but cannot identify or describe it. Like poetry, music, or art, it is a natural gift that a person is born with. But it can be developed to some extent.

Much of the charm of a magnetic personality comes from a fine, cultivated manner. Tact, also, is a very important element,—next to a fine manner, perhaps the most important. One must know exactly what to do, and be able to do just the right thing at the proper time. Good judgment and common sense are indispensable to those who are trying to acquire this magic power. Good taste is also one of the elements of personal charm. You can not offend the tastes of others without hurting their sensibilities.

Much of the charm of a magnetic personality comes from polished manners. Tact is also very important. Perhaps only polished manners matter more. You must know exactly what to do and be able to do the right thing at the right time. Good judgment and common sense are essential for anyone trying to develop this magic power. Good taste also adds to personal charm. You cannot offend other people’s tastes without hurting their feelings.

One of the greatest investments one can make is that of attaining a gracious manner, cordiality of bearing, generosity of feeling,—the delightful art of pleasing. It is infinitely better than money capital, for all doors fly open to sunny, pleasing personalities. They are more than welcome; they are sought for everywhere.

One of the greatest investments you can make is developing a gracious manner, a warm presence, and generous feelings. These are the delightful art of pleasing others. This investment is infinitely better than money, because all doors open to cheerful, pleasing people. They are more than welcome. They are sought after everywhere.

Many a youth owes his promotion or his first start in life to the disposition to be accommodating, to help along wherever he could. This was one of Lincoln's chief characteristics; he had a passion for helping people, for making himself agreeable under all circumstances. Mr. Herndon, his law partner, says: "When the Rutledge Tavern, where Lincoln boarded, was crowded, he would often give up his bed, and sleep on the counter in his store with a roll of calico for his pillow. Somehow everybody in trouble turned to him for help." This generous desire to assist others and to return kindnesses especially endeared Lincoln to the people.

Many young people have earned a promotion or gotten their first start in life by being willing to help wherever they could. This was one of Lincoln's chief qualities. He loved helping people and making himself pleasant in all circumstances. His law partner, Mr. Herndon, said: "When the Rutledge Tavern, where Lincoln stayed, was crowded, he would often give up his bed. He would sleep on the counter in his store, using a roll of calico as a pillow. Somehow, everyone in trouble turned to him for help." Lincoln's generous desire to help others and return their kindness made people especially fond of him.

The power to please is a tremendous asset. What can be more valuable than a personality which always attracts, never repels? It is not only valuable in business, but also in every field of life. It makes statesmen and politicians, it brings clients to the lawyer, and patients to the physician. It is worth everything to the clergyman. No matter what career you enter, you can not overestimate the importance of cultivating that charm of manner, those personal qualities, which attract people to you. They will take the place of capital, or influence. They are often a substitute for a large amount of hard work.

The ability to please is a tremendous asset. What could be more valuable than a personality that always attracts people and never repels them? This quality is valuable not only in business, but in every area of life. It makes statesmen and politicians. It brings clients to lawyers and patients to doctors. It is worth everything to a clergyman. Whatever career you enter, you cannot overestimate the importance of developing a charming manner and personal qualities that attract people. These qualities can take the place of money or influence. They can often substitute for a great deal of hard work.

Some men attract business, customers, clients, patients, as naturally as magnets attract particles of steel. Everything seems to point their way, for the same reason that the steel particles point toward the magnet,—because they are attracted.

Some men attract business, customers, clients, and patients as naturally as magnets attract steel particles. Everything seems to point their way because they attract it, just as steel particles are attracted to a magnet.

Such men are business magnets. Business moves toward them, even when they do not apparently make half so much effort to get it as the less successful. Their friends call them "lucky dogs." But if we analyze these men closely, we find that they have attractive qualities. There is usually some charm of personality about them that wins all hearts.

Such men are business magnets. Business comes to them, even when they seem to work less than half as hard to get it as less successful men do. Their friends call them "lucky dogs." But if we look closely at these men, we find that they have attractive qualities. They usually have a personal charm that wins everyone’s heart.

Many successful business and professional men would be surprised, if they should analyze their success, to find what a large percentage of it is due to their habitual courtesy and other popular qualities. Had it not been for these, their sagacity, long-headedness, and business training would not, perhaps, have amounted to half so much; for, no matter how able a man may be, if his coarse, rude manners drive away clients, patients, or customers, if his personality repels, he will always be placed at a disadvantage.

Many successful businessmen and professionals would be surprised if they examined their success. They would find that much of it comes from their habitual courtesy and other appealing qualities. Without these qualities, their judgment, foresight, and business training might have achieved only half as much. For no matter how capable a man is, rude, coarse manners can drive away clients, patients, or customers. If his personality puts people off, he will always be at a disadvantage.

It pays to cultivate popularity. It doubles success possibilities, develops manhood, and builds up character. To be popular, one must strangle selfishness, he must keep back his bad tendencies, he must be polite, gentlemanly, agreeable, and companionable. In trying to be popular, he is on the road to success and happiness as well. The ability to cultivate friends is a powerful aid to success. It is capital which will stand by one when panics come, when banks fail, when business concerns go to the wall. How many men have been able to start again after having everything swept away by fire or flood, or some other disaster, just because they had cultivated popular qualities, because they had learned the art of being agreeable, of making friends and holding them with hooks of steel! People are influenced powerfully by their friendships, by their likes and dislikes, and a popular business or professional man has every advantage in the world over a cold, indifferent man, for customers, clients, or patients will flock to him.

It pays to cultivate popularity. It doubles your chances of success, develops your manhood, and builds character. To be popular, you must overcome selfishness and restrain your bad tendencies. You must be polite, gentlemanly, agreeable, and good company. In trying to be popular, you are also on the road to success and happiness. The ability to make friends is a powerful aid to success. Friends are an asset you can rely on when financial panics strike, banks fail, or businesses collapse. Many men have lost everything to fire, flood, or some other disaster, yet have been able to start again. They could do so because they had cultivated popular qualities. They had learned the art of being agreeable, making friends, and holding on to them with hooks of steel! Friendships and personal likes and dislikes strongly influence people. A popular businessman or professional has every advantage over a cold, indifferent man. Customers, clients, or patients will flock to the popular man.

Cultivate the art of being agreeable. It will help you to self-expression as nothing else will; it will call out your success qualities; it will broaden your sympathies. It is difficult to conceive of any more delightful birthright than to be born with this personal charm, and yet it is comparatively easy to cultivate, because it is made up of so many other qualities, all of which are cultivatable.

Learn to be pleasant. Nothing else will help you express yourself as much. It will bring out the qualities that lead to success and broaden your sympathy for others. It is hard to imagine a more delightful gift than being born with this personal charm. Yet charm is relatively easy to develop because it is made up of many other qualities, all of which can be developed.

I never knew a thoroughly unselfish person who was not an attractive person. No person who is always thinking of himself and trying to figure out how he can get some advantage from everybody else will ever be attractive. We are naturally disgusted with people who are trying to get everything for themselves and never think of anybody else.

I have never known a truly unselfish person who was not attractive. Someone who always thinks of himself and looks for ways to gain an advantage from others will never be attractive. We are naturally disgusted by people who try to get everything for themselves and never think of anyone else.

The secret of pleasing is in being pleasant yourself, in being interesting. If you would be agreeable, you must be magnanimous. The narrow, stingy soul is not lovable. People shrink from such a character. There must be heartiness in the expression, in the smile, in the hand-shake, in the cordiality, which is unmistakable. The hardest natures can not resist these qualities any more than the eyes can resist the sun. If you radiate sweetness and light, people will love to get near you, for we are all looking for the sunlight, trying to get away from the shadows.

The secret to pleasing others is to be pleasant and interesting yourself. If you want to be agreeable, you must be generous in spirit. A narrow-minded, stingy person is not lovable. People shy away from such a person. Your expression, smile, handshake, and welcome must show unmistakable warmth. Even the hardest hearts cannot resist these qualities, just as the eyes cannot resist the sun. If you radiate sweetness and light, people will love to be near you. For we are all looking for sunlight, trying to escape the shadows.

It is unfortunate that these things are not taught more in the home and in the school; for our success and happiness depend largely upon them. Many of us are no better than uneducated heathens. We may know enough, but we give ourselves out stingily and we live narrow and reserved lives, when we should be broad, generous, sympathetic, and magnanimous.

It is unfortunate that these things are not taught more often at home and in school. Our success and happiness depend largely on them. Many of us are no better than uneducated heathens. We may know enough, but we share ourselves too little. We live narrow, reserved lives when we should be open, generous, sympathetic, and big-hearted.

Popular people, those with great personal charm, take infinite pains to cultivate all the little graces and qualities which go to make up popularity. If people who are naturally unsocial would only spend as much time and take as much pains as people who are social favorites in making themselves popular, they would accomplish wonders.

Popular people with great personal charm take endless care to develop all the small graces and qualities that make them popular. If naturally unsociable people spent as much time and effort making themselves popular as social favorites do, they would accomplish wonders.

Everybody is attracted by lovable qualities and is repelled by the unlovely wherever found. The whole principle of an attractive personality lives in this sentence. A fine manner pleases; a coarse, brutal manner repels. We cannot help being attracted to one who is always trying to help us,—who gives us his sympathy, who is always trying to make us comfortable and to give us every advantage he can. On the other hand, we are repelled by people who are always trying to get something out of us, who elbow their way in front of us, to get the best seat in a car or a hall, who are always looking for the easiest chair, or for the choicest bits at the table, who are always wanting to be waited on first at the restaurant or hotel, regardless of others.

Everyone is drawn to lovable qualities and repelled by unlovely ones, wherever they find them. That is the whole principle of an attractive personality. A gracious manner pleases. A coarse, brutal manner repels. We cannot help being drawn to someone who is always trying to help us. Such a person sympathizes with us, tries to make us comfortable, and gives us every advantage possible. On the other hand, we are repelled by people who are always trying to get something from us. They elbow past us to get the best seat in a car or hall. They are always looking for the most comfortable chair or the best food at the table. They always want to be served first at a restaurant or hotel, regardless of others.

The ability to bring the best that is in you to the man you are trying to reach, to make a good impression at the very first meeting, to approach a prospective customer as though you had known him for years without offending his taste, without raising the least prejudice, but getting his sympathy and good will, is a great accomplishment, and this is what commands a great salary.

It is a great accomplishment to bring out your best when meeting someone you want to reach. It means making a good impression at the first meeting. It also means approaching a prospective customer as though you had known him for years, without offending him or creating the slightest prejudice. Instead, you win his sympathy and goodwill. This ability commands a high salary.

There is a charm in a gracious personality from which it is very hard to get away. It is difficult to snub the man who possesses it. There is something about him which arrests your prejudice, and no matter how busy or how worried you may be, or how much you may dislike to be interrupted, somehow you haven't the heart to turn away the man with a pleasing personality.

A gracious personality has a charm that is hard to resist. It is difficult to brush off a man who has one. Something about him stops you from judging him unfairly. No matter how busy or worried you are, or how much you dislike being interrupted, you somehow can't bring yourself to turn away a man with a pleasing personality.

Who has not felt his power multiplied many times, his intellect sharpened, and a keener edge put on all of his faculties, when coming into contact with a strong personality which has called forth hidden powers which he never before dreamed he possessed, so that he could say things and do things impossible to him when alone? The power of the orator, which he flings back to his listeners, he first draws from his audience, but he could never get it from the separate individuals any more than the chemist could get the full power from chemicals standing in separate bottles in his laboratory. It is in contact and combination only that new creations, new forces, are developed.

Who hasn't felt their power multiply many times and their mind grow sharper when encountering a strong personality? Such a person can sharpen all our abilities and draw out hidden powers we never dreamed we had. We may then say and do things that would be impossible alone. A speaker first draws power from the audience, then sends it back to them. But the speaker could never draw that power from those same people separately. Nor could a chemist draw the full power from chemicals kept in separate bottles in a laboratory. Only through contact and combination do new creations and forces develop.

We little realize what a large part of our achievement is due to others working through us, to their sharpening our faculties, radiating hope, encouragement, and helpfulness into our lives, and sustaining and inspiring us mentally.

We rarely realize how much of what we achieve is due to others working through us. They sharpen our abilities, bring hope, encouragement, and help into our lives, and support and inspire us mentally.

We are apt to overestimate the value of an education from books alone. A large part of the value of a college education comes from the social intercourse of the students, the reenforcement, the buttressing of character by association. Their faculties are sharpened and polished by the attrition of mind with mind, and the pitting of brain against brain, which stimulate ambition, brighten the ideals, and open up new hopes and possibilities. Book knowledge is valuable, but the knowledge which comes from mind intercourse is invaluable.

We tend to overestimate the value of an education gained from books alone. Much of the value of a college education comes from students spending time together. Their association strengthens and supports their character. They sharpen and polish their abilities by exchanging ideas and challenging one another. These exchanges stimulate ambition, brighten ideals, and open up new hopes and possibilities. Knowledge from books is valuable, but knowledge gained from exchanging ideas is invaluable.

Two substances totally unlike, but having a chemical affinity for each other, may produce a third infinitely stronger than either, or even both of those which unite. Two people with a strong affinity often call into activity in each other a power which neither dreamed he possessed before. Many an author owes his greatest book, his cleverest saying to a friend who has aroused in him latent powers which otherwise might have remained dormant. Artists have been touched by the power of inspiration through a masterpiece, or by some one they happened to meet who saw in them what no one else had ever seen,—the power to do an immortal thing.

Two completely different substances can have a chemical attraction to each other. When they combine, they may produce a third substance infinitely stronger than either one or even both together. Two people who feel a strong connection often bring out powers in each other that neither knew they possessed. Many authors owe their greatest book or cleverest saying to a friend who awakened hidden powers that might otherwise have remained dormant. Artists have been inspired by a masterpiece or by someone they happened to meet. That person saw in them what no one else had ever seen: the power to create something immortal.

The man who mixes with his fellows is ever on a voyage of discovery, finding new islands of power in himself which would have remained forever hidden but for association with others. Everybody he meets has some secret for him, if he can only extract it, something which he never knew before, something which will help him on his way, something which will enrich his life. No man finds himself alone. Others are his discoverers.

A man who spends time with others is always on a voyage of discovery. He finds new islands of power in himself that would have stayed hidden forever without the company of others. Everyone he meets has a secret for him, if only he can draw it out. Each person has something he never knew before, something that will help him on his way and enrich his life. No man finds himself alone. Others discover him.

It is astonishing how much you can learn from people in social intercourse when you know how to look at them rightly. But it is a fact that you can only get a great deal out of them by giving them a great deal of yourself. The more you radiate yourself, the more magnanimous you are, the more generous of yourself, the more you fling yourself out to them without reserve, the more you will get back.

It is amazing how much you can learn from people when you know how to see them clearly. But you can only gain a great deal from them by giving them a great deal of yourself. The more openly and generously you share yourself with them, holding nothing back, the more you will get in return.

You must give much in order to get much. The current will not set toward you until it goes out from you. About all you get from others is a reflex of the currents from yourself. The more generously you give, the more you get in return. You will not receive if you give out stingily, narrowly, meanly. You must give of yourself in a whole-hearted, generous way, or you will receive only stingy rivulets, when you might have had great rivers and torrents of blessings.

You must give much to receive much. The current will not flow toward you until it flows out from you. Almost everything you receive from others reflects the currents you send out. The more generously you give, the more you receive in return. You will not receive if you give stingily, narrowly, or meanly. You must give of yourself wholeheartedly and generously. Otherwise, you will receive only small streams of blessings when you could have had great rivers and torrents.

A man who might have been symmetrical, well-rounded, had he availed himself of every opportunity of touching life along all sides, remains a pygmy in everything except his own little specialty, because he did not cultivate his social side.

A man might have become well-rounded if he had taken every opportunity to experience all sides of life. But because he neglected his social side, he remains a dwarf in everything except his own narrow specialty.

It is always a mistake to miss an opportunity of meeting with our kind, and especially of mixing with those above us, because we can always carry away something of value. It is through social intercourse that our rough corners are rubbed off, that we become polished and attractive.

It is always a mistake to miss a chance to meet other people, especially those above us. We can always gain something valuable from them. Spending time with others smooths our rough edges and makes us polished and attractive.

If you go into social life with a determination to give it something, to make it a school for self-improvement, for calling out your best social qualities, for developing the latent brain cells, which have remained dormant for the lack of exercise, you will not find society either a bore or unprofitable. But you must give it something, or you will not get anything.

If you enter social life determined to contribute, you can make it a school for self-improvement. You can bring out your best social qualities and develop brain cells that have lain dormant from lack of use. If you do this, you will find social life neither boring nor unprofitable. But you must give something to it, or you will get nothing from it.

When you learn to look upon every one you meet as holding a treasure, something which will enrich your life, which will enlarge and broaden your experience, and make you more of a man, you will not think the time in the drawing-room wasted.

Learn to see everyone you meet as holding a treasure. Each person has something that can enrich your life, broaden your experience, and make you a better man. When you see people this way, you will not think time spent in the living room is wasted.

The man who is determined to get on will look upon every experience as an educator, as a culture chisel, which will make his life a little more shapely and attractive.

A man determined to get ahead will see every experience as a teacher. Each one is like a sculptor’s chisel, making his life a little more refined and attractive.

Frankness of manner is one of the most delightful of traits in young or old. Everybody admires the open-hearted, the people who have nothing to conceal, and who do not try to cover up their faults and weaknesses. They are, as a rule, large-hearted and magnanimous. They inspire love and confidence, and, by their very frankness and simplicity, invite the same qualities in others.

Being open and honest is one of the most delightful qualities in people of any age. Everyone admires openhearted people who have nothing to hide and do not try to cover up their faults and weaknesses. As a rule, they are generous and gracious. They inspire love and confidence. Their openness and simplicity encourage the same qualities in others.

Secretiveness repels as much as frankness attracts. There is something about the very inclination to conceal or cover up which arouses suspicion and distrust. We cannot have the same confidence in people who possess this trait, no matter how good they may seem to be, as in frank, sunny natures. Dealing with these secretive people is like traveling on a stage coach on a dark night. There is always a feeling of uncertainty. We may come out all right, but there is a lurking fear of some pitfall or unknown danger ahead of us. We are uncomfortable because of the uncertainties. They may be all right, and may deal squarely with us, but we are not sure and can not trust them. No matter how polite or gracious a secretive person may be, we can never rid ourselves of the feeling that there is a motive behind his graciousness, and that he has an ulterior purpose in view. He is always more or less of an enigma, because he goes through life wearing a mask. He endeavors to hide every trait that is not favorable to himself. Never, if he can help it, do we get a glimpse of the real man.

Secretiveness repels people just as much as openness attracts them. The tendency to hide or cover things up arouses suspicion and distrust. No matter how good secretive people seem, we cannot trust them as much as open, cheerful people. Dealing with secretive people is like traveling in a stagecoach on a dark night. There is always a feeling of uncertainty. We may arrive safely, but we have a lingering fear of some trap or unknown danger ahead. The uncertainty makes us uncomfortable. Secretive people may be honest and deal fairly with us, but we are not sure and cannot trust them. No matter how polite or gracious a secretive person may be, we always feel there is a hidden motive. We suspect the person has some other purpose in mind. A secretive person is always something of a mystery because that person goes through life wearing a mask. Such a person tries to hide every trait that might reflect badly on them. If they can help it, we never get a glimpse of who they really are.

How different the man who comes out in the open, who has no secrets, who reveals his heart to us, and who is frank, broad and liberal! How quickly he wins our confidence! How we all like and trust him! We forgive him for many a slip or weakness, because he is always ready to confess his faults, and to make amends for them. It he has bad qualities, they are always in sight, and we are ready to make allowances for them. His heart is sound and true, his sympathies are broad and active. The very qualities he possesses—frankness and simplicity,—are conducive to the growth of the highest manhood and womanhood.

How different is the man who is open, keeps no secrets, and reveals his heart to us! He is honest, open-minded, and generous. How quickly he wins our confidence! How we all like and trust him! We forgive him for many mistakes and weaknesses because he is always ready to admit his faults and make amends. If he has bad qualities, they are always in plain sight, and we are ready to make allowances for them. His heart is sound and true, and his compassion is broad and active. His honesty and simplicity are the very qualities that help men and women develop into their best selves.

In the Black Hills of South Dakota there lived a humble, ignorant miner, who won the love and good will of everyone. "You can't 'elp likin' 'im," said an English miner, and when asked why the miners and the people in the town couldn't help liking him, he answered. "Because he has a 'eart in 'im; he's a man. He always 'elps the boys when in trouble. You never go to 'im for nothin'."

In the Black Hills of South Dakota lived a humble, uneducated miner who won everyone’s love and goodwill. “You can’t help liking him,” said an English miner. When asked why the miners and townspeople couldn’t help liking him, he answered, “Because he has a heart in him; he’s a man. He always helps the boys when in trouble. You never go to him for nothing.”

Bright, handsome young men, graduates of Eastern colleges, were there seeking their fortune; a great many able, strong men drawn there from different parts of the country by the gold fever; but none of them held the public confidence like this poor man. He could scarcely write his name, and knew nothing of the usages of polite society, yet he so intrenched himself in the hearts in his community that no other man, however educated or cultured, had the slightest chance of being elected to any office of prominence while "Ike" was around.

Bright, handsome young men who had graduated from Eastern colleges were there seeking their fortunes. Many capable, strong men had also come from different parts of the country, drawn by gold fever. But none of them had the public's confidence as this poor man did. He could barely write his name and knew nothing about the customs of polite society. Yet he had won such a place in the hearts of his community that no one else had the slightest chance of being elected to a prominent office while "Ike" was around, no matter how educated or cultured they were.

He was elected mayor of his town, and sent to the legislature, although he could not speak a grammatical sentence. It was all because he had a heart in him; he was a man.

He was elected mayor of his town and sent to the legislature, although he could not speak a grammatical sentence. It was all because he had heart. He was a man.