Finish What You Start

Years ago a relief lifeboat at New London sprung a leak, and while being repaired a hammer was found in the bottom that had been left there by the builders thirteen years before. From the constant motion of the boat the hammer had worn through the planking, clear down to the plating.

Years ago, a relief lifeboat at New London sprung a leak. During repairs, a hammer was found in the bottom of the boat. The builders had left it there thirteen years earlier. The boat’s constant motion had caused the hammer to wear through the planking, all the way down to the plating.

Not long since, it was discovered that a girl had served twenty years for a twenty months' sentence, in a southern prison, because of the mistake of a court clerk who wrote "years" instead of "months" in the record of the prisoner's sentence.

Recently, it was discovered that a girl had served twenty years in a southern prison for a twenty-month sentence. This happened because a court clerk mistakenly wrote "years" instead of "months" in the record of her sentence.

The history of the human race is full of the most horrible tragedies caused by carelessness and the inexcusable blunders of those who never formed the habit of accuracy, of thoroughness, of doing things to a finish.

Human history is full of the most horrible tragedies caused by carelessness and inexcusable blunders. Those responsible never developed the habit of being accurate, thorough, and finishing what they started.

Multitudes of people have lost an eye, a leg, or an arm, or are otherwise maimed, because dishonest workmen wrought deception into the articles they manufactured, slighted their work, covered up defects and weak places with paint and varnish.

Many people have lost an eye, a leg, or an arm, or suffered other injuries because of dishonest workers. These workers cut corners and concealed defects and weak spots in their products with paint and varnish.

How many have lost their lives because of dishonest work, carelessness, criminal blundering in railroad construction? Think of the tragedies caused by lies packed in car-wheels, locomotives, steamboat boilers, and engines; lies in defective rails, ties, or switches; lies in dishonest labor put into manufactured material by workmen who said it was good enough for the meager wages they got! Because people were not conscientious in their work there were flaws in the steel, which caused the rail or pillar to snap, the locomotive or other machinery to break. The steel shaft broke in mid-ocean, and the lives of a thousand passengers were jeopardized because of somebody's carelessness.

How many people have died because of dishonest work, carelessness, and criminal mistakes in railroad construction? Think of the tragedies caused by lies built into train wheels, locomotives, steamboat boilers, and engines. Think of the lies in defective rails, railroad ties, and switches. Think of the lies in poorly made products, created by workers who said their work was good enough for their meager wages! Because people were not conscientious in their work, flaws were left in the steel. Those flaws caused rails and pillars to snap and locomotives and other machinery to break. A steel shaft broke in mid-ocean, putting the lives of a thousand passengers at risk because someone had been careless.

Even before they are completed, buildings often fall and bury the workmen under their ruins, because somebody was careless, dishonest—either employer or employee—and worked lies, deceptions, into the building.

Buildings often collapse before they are completed, burying workers in the rubble. This happens because someone, either an employer or an employee, was careless or dishonest and built lies and deception into the building.

The majority of railroad wrecks, of disasters on land and sea, which cause so much misery and cost so many lives, are the result of carelessness, thoughtlessness, or half-done, botched, blundering work. They are the evil fruit of the low ideals of slovenly, careless, indifferent workers.

Most train wrecks and other disasters on land and sea cause great suffering and many deaths. They result from carelessness, thoughtlessness, or work that is left unfinished or badly done. They are the bitter fruit of the low standards of sloppy, careless, indifferent workers.

Everywhere over this broad earth we see the tragic results of botched work. Wooden legs, armless sleeves, numberless graves, fatherless and motherless homes everywhere speak of somebody's carelessness, somebody's blunders, somebody's habit of inaccuracy. The worst crimes are not punishable by law. Carelessness, slipshodness, lack of thoroughness, are crimes against self, against humanity, that often do more harm than the crimes that make the perpetrator an outcast from society. Where a tiny flaw or the slightest defect may cost a precious life, carelessness is as much a crime as deliberate criminality.

Everywhere on this wide earth, we see the tragic results of poorly done work. Wooden legs, empty sleeves, countless graves, and homes without fathers or mothers all speak of someone's carelessness. They speak of someone's mistakes or habit of inaccuracy. The worst crimes are not punishable by law. Carelessness, sloppy work, and a lack of thoroughness are crimes against oneself and humanity. They often do more harm than the crimes that make a person an outcast from society. Where a tiny flaw or the slightest defect may cost a precious life, carelessness is as much a crime as deliberate wrongdoing.

If everybody put his conscience into his work, did it to a complete finish, it would not only reduce the loss of human life, the mangling and maiming of men and women, to a fraction of what it is at present, but it would also give us a higher quality of manhood and womanhood.

If everyone did their work conscientiously and saw it through to completion, far fewer people would be killed, mutilated, or maimed. It would also make us better men and women.

Most young people think too much of quantity, and too little of quality in their work. They try to do too much, and do not do it well. They do not realize that the education, the comfort, the satisfaction, the general improvement, and bracing up of the whole man that comes from doing one thing absolutely right, from putting the trade-mark of one's character on it, far outweighs the value that attaches to the doing of a thousand botched or slipshod jobs.

Most young people focus too much on how much work they do and too little on how well they do it. They try to do too much and do not do it well. They do not realize how much they gain by doing one thing absolutely right and putting their character's stamp on it. Doing so brings learning, comfort, satisfaction, and overall improvement. It strengthens the whole person. All of this is worth far more than doing a thousand sloppy, botched jobs.

We are so constituted that the quality which we put into our life-work affects everything else in our lives, and tends to bring our whole conduct to the same level. The entire person takes on the characteristics of one's usual way of doing things. The habit of precision and accuracy strengthens the mentality, improves the whole character.

We are made so that the quality of our life’s work affects everything else in our lives. It tends to bring all our conduct to the same level. Our whole character takes on the qualities of our usual way of doing things. The habit of being precise and accurate strengthens the mind and improves the whole character.

On the contrary, doing things in a loose-jointed, slipshod, careless manner deteriorates the whole mentality, demoralizes the mental processes, and pulls down the whole life.

On the contrary, doing things carelessly weakens the whole mind and disrupts its processes. It brings down a person's entire life.

Every half-done or slovenly job that goes out of your hands leaves its trace of demoralization behind. After slighting your work, after doing a poor job, you are not quite the same man you were before. You are not so likely to try to keep up the standard of your work, not so likely to regard your word as sacred as before.

Every unfinished or careless job you hand over leaves a mark on your character. After cutting corners and doing poor work, you are not quite the same person you were before. You are less likely to maintain your standards or treat your word as sacred.

The mental and moral effect of half doing, or carelessly doing things; its power to drag down, to demoralize, can hardly be estimated because the processes are so gradual, so subtle. No one can respect himself who habitually botches his work, and when self-respect drops, confidence goes with it; and when confidence and self-respect have gone, excellence is impossible.

The mental and moral effects of doing things halfway or carelessly can hardly be measured. Such work can drag people down and weaken their spirit, but the process is so gradual and subtle. No one who habitually botches their work can respect themselves. When self-respect drops, confidence goes with it. And when both confidence and self-respect are gone, excellence is impossible.

It is astonishing how completely a slovenly habit will gradually, insidiously fasten itself upon the individual and so change his whole mental attitude as to thwart absolutely his life-purpose, even when he may think he is doing his best to carry it out.

It is astonishing how gradually and subtly a careless habit can take hold of a person. It can completely change his mental attitude and utterly defeat his purpose in life, even when he thinks he is doing his best to fulfill it.

I know a man who was extremely ambitious to do something very distinctive and who had the ability to do it. When he started on his career he was very exact and painstaking. He demanded the best of himself—would not accept his second-best in anything. The thought of slighting his work was painful to him, but his mental processes have so deteriorated, and he has become so demoralized by the habit which, after a while, grew upon him, of accepting his second-best, that he now slights his work without a protest, seemingly without being conscious of it. He is to-day doing quite ordinary things, without apparent mortification or sense of humiliation, and the tragedy of it all is, he does not know why he has failed!

I know a man who was eager to do something truly distinctive and had the ability to do it. When he began his career, he was careful and thorough. He demanded the best of himself and would not accept second-best in anything. The thought of doing careless work pained him. But over time, he fell into the habit of accepting second-best. This habit has so weakened his thinking and undermined his character that he now does careless work without protest. He seems unaware that he is doing it. Today he does quite ordinary work, apparently without embarrassment or shame. And the tragedy of it all is, he does not know why he has failed!

One's ambition and ideals need constant watching and cultivation in order to keep up to the standards. Many people are so constituted that their ambition wanes and their ideals drop when they are alone, or with careless, indifferent people. They require the constant assistance, suggestion, prodding, or example of others to keep them up to standard.

You must constantly watch and cultivate your ambition and ideals to keep them up to standard. Many people's ambition fades and their ideals decline when they are alone or with careless, indifferent people. They need constant help, suggestions, prodding, or examples from others to keep up to standard.

How quickly a youth of high ideals, who has been well trained in thoroughness, often deteriorates when he leaves home and goes to work for an employer with inferior ideals and slipshod methods!

How quickly a young person with high ideals and training in thoroughness can decline! This often happens when they leave home and work for an employer with lower ideals and sloppy methods.

The introduction of inferiority into our work is like introducing subtle poison into the system. It paralyzes the normal functions. Inferiority is an infection which, like leaven, affects the entire system. It dulls ideals, palsies the aspiring faculty, stupefies the ambition, and causes deterioration all along the line.

Allowing inferior work is like introducing a subtle poison into the body. It paralyzes normal functions. Inferiority is an infection that, like yeast, spreads throughout the whole system. It dulls ideals, paralyzes the desire to achieve, and deadens ambition. It causes deterioration in every area.

The human mechanism is so constituted that whatever goes wrong in one part affects the whole structure. There is a very intimate relation between the quality of the work and the quality of the character. Did you ever notice the rapid decline in a young man's character when he began to slight his work, to shirk, to slip in rotten hours, rotten service?

The human body is built so that whatever goes wrong in one part affects the whole. The quality of a person's work is closely connected to the quality of their character. Have you ever noticed how quickly a young man's character declines when he starts neglecting his work, shirking, and putting in poor hours and poor service?

If you should ask the inmates of our penitentiaries what had caused their ruin, many of them could trace the first signs of deterioration to shirking, clipping their hours, deceiving their employers—to indifferent, dishonest work.

If you asked prison inmates what caused their ruin, many could trace the first signs of decline to their work. They shirked, cut their hours short, and deceived their employers. Their work was careless and dishonest.

We were made to be honest. Honesty is our normal expression, and any departure from it demoralizes and taints the whole character. Honesty means integrity in everything. It not only means reliability in your word, but also carefulness, accuracy, honesty in your work. It does not mean that if only you will not lie with your lips you may lie and defraud in the quality of your work. Honesty means wholeness, completeness; it means truth in everything—in deed and in word. Merely not to steal another's money or goods is not all there is to honesty. You must not steal another's time, you must not steal his goods or ruin his property by half finishing or botching your work, by blundering through carelessness or indifference. Your contract with your employer means that you will give him your best, and not your second-best.

We were made to be honest. Honesty is natural to us, and any departure from it weakens and taints our whole character. Honesty means integrity in everything. It means not only keeping your word, but also being careful, accurate, and honest in your work. You cannot claim to be honest simply because you do not lie while doing dishonest work or cheating others through its poor quality. Honesty means being whole and complete. It means being truthful in everything you do and say. Honesty means more than simply not stealing someone else's money or goods. You must not steal someone else's time. You must not steal their goods or ruin their property by leaving work half done or doing it badly. Nor should you make mistakes through carelessness or indifference. Your agreement with your employer means you will give your best, not your second best.

"What a fool you are," said one workman to another, "to take so much pains with that job, when you don't get much pay for it. 'Get the most money for the least work,' is my rule, and I get twice as much money as you do."

"What a fool you are," one worker said to another, "to put so much effort into that job when you're paid so little. My rule is, 'Get the most money for the least work,' and I make twice as much as you do."

"That may be," replied the other, "but I shall like myself better, I shall think more of myself, and that is more important to me than money."

"That may be," the other replied, "but I will like myself better and have more respect for myself. And that matters more to me than money."

You will like yourself better when you have the approval of your conscience. That will be worth more to you than any amount of money you can pocket through fraudulent, skimped, or botched work. Nothing else can give you the glow of satisfaction, the electric thrill and uplift which come from a superbly-done job. Perfect work harmonizes with the very principles of our being, because we were made for perfection. It fits our very natures.

You will like yourself better when your conscience approves of your actions. That approval will be worth more than any money you can make through dishonest, careless, or shoddy work. Nothing else can give you the glow of satisfaction and the thrilling sense of uplift that come from a superbly done job. Perfect work is in harmony with the deepest principles of our being because we were made for perfection. It fits our very nature.

Some one has said: "It is a race between negligence and ignorance as to which can make the more trouble."

Someone once said: "Negligence and ignorance are in a race to see which can cause more trouble."

Many a young man is being kept down by what probably seems a small thing to him—negligence, lack of accuracy. He never quite finishes anything he undertakes; he can not be depended upon to do anything quite right; his work always needs looking over by some one else. Hundreds of clerks and book-keepers are getting small salaries in poor positions today because they have never learned to do things absolutely right.

Many young men are held back by what probably seems like a small thing to them: carelessness and a lack of accuracy. A young man like this never quite finishes anything he starts. He cannot be relied on to do anything quite right. Someone else always has to check his work. Hundreds of clerks and bookkeepers earn low salaries in poor jobs today because they have never learned to do things absolutely right.

A prominent business man says that the carelessness, inaccuracy, and blundering of employees cost Chicago one million dollars a day. The manager of a large house in that city, says that he has to station pickets here and there throughout the establishment in order to neutralize the evils of inaccuracy and the blundering habit. One of John Wanamaker's partners says that unnecessary blunders and mistakes cost that firm twenty-five thousand dollars a year. The dead letter department of the Post Office in Washington received in one year seven million pieces of undelivered mail. Of these more than eighty thousand bore no address whatever. A great many of them were from business houses. Are the clerks who are responsible for this carelessness likely to win promotion?

A prominent businessman says that employee carelessness, inaccuracy, and blunders cost Chicago one million dollars a day. The manager of a large business in Chicago says he has to post guards throughout the establishment. Their job is to counteract the harm caused by inaccuracy and habitual blundering. One of John Wanamaker's partners says that unnecessary blunders and mistakes cost the firm twenty-five thousand dollars a year. In one year, the Post Office's dead letter department in Washington received seven million pieces of undelivered mail. More than eighty thousand had no address at all. Many came from businesses. Are the clerks responsible for this carelessness likely to win promotion?

Many an employee who would be shocked at the thought of telling his employer a lie with his lips is lying every day in the quality of his work, in his dishonest service, in the rotten hours he is slipping into it, in shirking, in his indifference to his employer's interests. It is just as dishonest to express deception in poor work, in shirking, as to express it with the lips, yet I have known office-boys, who could not be induced to tell their employer a direct lie, to steal his time when on an errand, to hide away during working hours to smoke a cigarette or take a nap, not realizing, perhaps, that lies can be acted as well as told and that acting a lie may be even worse than telling one.

Many employees would be shocked at the thought of telling their employer a lie. Yet they lie every day through poor work, dishonest service, and hours wasted on the job. They lie by shirking and by showing indifference to their employer's interests. Deceiving an employer through poor work or shirking is just as dishonest as lying in words. Yet I have known office boys who could not be persuaded to tell their employer a direct lie. They would steal his time while running an errand or hide during working hours to smoke a cigarette or nap. Perhaps they did not realize that lies can be acted as well as told. Acting a lie may even be worse than telling one.

The man who botches his work, who lies or cheats in the goods he sells or manufactures, is dishonest with himself as well as with his fellow men, and must pay the price in loss of self-respect, loss of character, of standing in his community.

A man who does shoddy work or lies or cheats in the goods he sells or makes is dishonest. He is dishonest with himself as well as with others. He must pay the price by losing his self-respect, his character, and his standing in the community.

Yet on every side we see all sorts of things selling for a song because the maker put no character, no thought into them. Articles of clothing that look stylish and attractive when first worn, very quickly get out of shape, and hang and look like old, much-worn garments. Buttons fly off, seams give way at the slightest strain, dropped stitches are everywhere in evidence, and often the entire article goes to pieces before it is worn half a dozen times.

Yet everywhere we see all sorts of things selling cheaply because the maker put no character or thought into them. Clothes that look stylish and attractive when first worn quickly lose their shape. They hang and look like old, much-worn garments. Buttons fly off, seams split at the slightest strain, and dropped stitches are visible everywhere. Often, the entire garment falls apart before it has been worn half a dozen times.

Everywhere we see furniture which looks all right, but which in reality is full of blemishes and weaknesses, covered up with paint and varnish. Glue starts at joints, chairs and bedsteads break down at the slightest provocation, castors come off, handles pull out, many things "go to pieces" altogether, even while practically new.

Everywhere we see furniture that looks fine but is full of flaws and weaknesses hidden by paint and varnish. Glue comes loose at the joints. Chairs and bed frames break at the slightest strain. Casters fall off, handles pull out, and many things "go to pieces" altogether, even while practically new.

"Made to sell, not for service," would be a good label for the great mass of manufactured articles in our markets to-day.

"Made to sell, not to be useful," would be a good label for most manufactured goods on the market today.

It is difficult to find anything that is well and honestly made, that has character, individuality and thoroughness wrought into it. Most things are just thrown together. This slipshod, dishonest manufacturing is so general that concerns which turn out products based upon honesty and truth often win for themselves a world-wide reputation and command the highest prices.

It is difficult to find anything made well and honestly, with character, individuality, and thoroughness built into it. Most things are just thrown together. This careless, dishonest manufacturing is so widespread that companies making honest, truthful products often earn worldwide reputations and command the highest prices.

There is no other advertisement like a good reputation. Some of the world's greatest manufacturers have regarded their reputation as their most precious possession, and under no circumstances would they allow their names to be put on an imperfect article. Vast sums of money are often paid for the use of a name, because of its great reputation for integrity and square dealing.

Nothing advertises better than a good reputation. Some of the world’s greatest manufacturers have considered their reputation their most valuable asset. They would never allow their names to appear on a flawed product. People often pay large sums to use a name because it is known for honesty and fair dealing.

There was a time when the names of Graham and Tampion on timepieces were guarantees of the most exquisite workmanship and of unquestioned integrity. Strangers from any part of the world could send their purchase money and order goods from those manufacturers without a doubt that they would be squarely dealt with.

There was a time when the names Graham and Tampion on timepieces guaranteed the finest craftsmanship and unquestioned integrity. Strangers anywhere in the world could send money and order goods from these manufacturers, confident they would be treated fairly.

Tampion and Graham lie in Westminster Abbey because of the accuracy of their work—because they refused to manufacture and sell lies.

Tampion and Graham are buried in Westminster Abbey because of their accurate work. They refused to make and sell lies.

When you finish a thing you ought to be able to say to yourself: "There, I am willing to stand for that piece of work. It is not pretty well done; it is done as well as I can do it; done to a complete finish. I will stand for that. I am willing to be judged by it."

When you finish something, you should be able to say to yourself: "There, I am willing to stand behind that work. It is not just done pretty well. It is done as well as I can do it, finished completely. I stand behind it. I am willing to be judged by it."

Never be satisfied with "fairly good," "pretty good," "good enough." Accept nothing short of your best. Put such a quality into your work that anyone who comes across anything you have ever done will see character in it, individuality in it, your trade-mark of superiority upon it. Your reputation is at stake in everything you do, and your reputation is your capital. You cannot afford to do a poor job, to let botched work or anything that is inferior go out of your hands. Every bit of your work, no matter how unimportant or trivial it may seem, should bear your trade-mark of excellence; you should regard every task that goes through your hands, every piece of work you touch, as Tampion regarded every watch that went out of his shop. It must be the very best you can do, the best that human skill can produce.

Never be satisfied with "fairly good," "pretty good," or "good enough." Accept nothing less than your best. Put such quality into your work that anyone who sees anything you have done will recognize your character and individuality. They will see your personal mark of superiority on it. Your reputation is at stake in everything you do, and your reputation is your capital. You cannot afford to do a poor job or let botched or inferior work leave your hands. Every bit of your work, no matter how unimportant or trivial it may seem, should bear your mark of excellence. Treat every task you handle and every piece of work you touch as Tampion treated every watch that left his shop. Your work must be the very best you can do, the best that human skill can produce.

It is just the little difference between the good and the best that makes the difference between the artist and the artisan. It is just the little touches after the average man would quit that make the master's fame.

The small difference between good and best is what separates an artist from an artisan. The finishing touches made after the average person would quit are what make a master famous.

Regard your work as Stradivarius regarded his violins, which he "made for eternity," and not one of which was ever known to come to pieces or break. Stradivarius did not need any patent on his violins, for no other violin maker would pay such a price for excellence as he paid; would take such pains to put his stamp of superiority upon his instrument. Every "Stradivarius" now in existence is worth from three to ten thousand dollars, or several times its weight in gold.

Think of your work as Stradivarius thought of his violins. He "made them for eternity," and not one was ever known to come apart or break. Stradivarius did not need a patent for his violins. No other violin maker would pay such a price for excellence or take such care to make an instrument superior. Every "Stradivarius" still in existence is worth between three and ten thousand dollars, or several times its weight in gold.

Think of the value such a reputation for thoroughness as that of Stradivarius or Tampion, such a passion to give quality to your work, would give you! There is nothing like being enamored of accuracy, being grounded in thoroughness as a life-principle, of always striving for excellence.

Think how valuable it would be to have a reputation for thoroughness like that of Stradivarius or Tampion! Think of the value of a passion for quality in your work! There is nothing like loving accuracy, making thoroughness a principle of life, and always striving for excellence.

No other characteristic makes such a strong impression upon an employer as the habit of painstaking, carefulness, accuracy. He knows that if a youth puts his conscience into his work from principle, not from the standpoint of salary or what he can get for it, but because there is something in him which refuses to accept anything from himself but the best, that he is honest and made of good material.

No other quality impresses an employer as much as the habit of working diligently, carefully, and accurately. An employer knows that if a young person puts their conscience into their work, they are honest and have good character. They do this out of principle, not for the salary or what they can get from the job. Something inside them refuses to accept anything less than their best.

I have known many instances where advancement hinged upon the little overplus of interest, of painstaking an employee put into his work, on his doing a little better than was expected of him. Employers do not say all they think, but they detect very quickly the earmarks of superiority. They keep their eye on the employee who has the stamp of excellence upon him, who takes pains with his work, who does it to a finish. They know he has a future.

I have known many cases where advancement depended on an employee showing a little more interest and care in their work. They did a little better than expected. Employers do not say everything they think, but they quickly recognize signs of excellence. They keep an eye on the employee who stands out, takes care with their work, and sees it through. They know that employee has a future.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr., says that the "secret of success is to do the common duty uncommonly well." The majority of young people do not see that the steps which lead to the position above them are constructed, little by little, by the faithful performance of the common, humble, every-day duties of the position they are now filling. The thing which you are now doing will unlock or bar the door to promotion.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr., says that the "secret of success is to do ordinary duties exceptionally well." Most young people do not see how they can rise to a higher position. They build the steps to that position little by little, by faithfully doing the ordinary, humble, everyday duties of their current jobs. What you are doing now will either open or bar the door to promotion.

Many employees are looking for some great thing to happen that will give them an opportunity to show their mettle. "What can there be," they say to themselves, "in this dry routine, in doing these common, ordinary things, to help me along?" But it is the youth who sees a great opportunity hidden in just these simple services, who sees a very uncommon chance in a common situation, a humble position, who gets on in the world. It is doing things a little better than those about you do them; being a little neater, a little quicker, a little more accurate, a little more observant; it is ingenuity in finding new and more progressive ways of doing old things; it is being a little more polite, a little more obliging, a little more tactful, a little more cheerful, optimistic, a little more energetic, helpful, than those about you that attracts the attention of your employer and other employers also.

Many employees wait for something important to happen that will give them a chance to prove themselves. They ask themselves, "How can this dull routine of ordinary tasks help me get ahead?" But the young person who gets ahead sees a great opportunity hidden in these simple tasks. That person sees an uncommon chance in an ordinary situation or a humble position. You attract the attention of your employer and other employers by doing things a little better than those around you. Be a little neater, quicker, more accurate, and more observant. Use your ingenuity to find new and better ways to do old tasks. Be a little more polite, willing to help, tactful, cheerful, optimistic, energetic, and helpful than those around you.

Many a boy is marked for a higher position by his employer long before he is aware of it himself. It may be months, or it may be a year before the opening comes, but when it does come the one who has appreciated the infinite difference between "good" and "better," between "fairly good" and "excellent," between what others call "good" and the best that can be done, will be likely to get the place.

Many a boy is chosen by his employer for a higher position long before he knows it himself. It may take months or even a year for an opening to appear. But when it does, the boy who understands the vast difference between "good" and "better" will likely get the position. He understands the difference between "fairly good" and "excellent," and between what others call "good" and the best that can be done.

If there is that in your nature which demands the best and will take nothing less; if you insist on keeping up your standards in everything you do, you will achieve distinction in some line provided you have the persistence and determination to follow your ideal.

If your nature demands the best and accepts nothing less, and you keep your standards high in everything you do, you will excel in some field. You must also have the persistence and determination to pursue your ideal.

But if you are satisfied with the cheap and shoddy, the botched and slovenly, if you are not particular about quality in your work, or in your environment, or in your personal habits, then you must expect to take second place, to fall back to the rear of the procession.

But if you are satisfied with cheap, shoddy, sloppy work, you must expect to take second place. The same is true if you do not care about quality in your work, your surroundings, or your personal habits. You must expect to fall to the back of the line.

People who have accomplished work worth while have had a very high sense of the way to do things. They have not been content with mediocrity. They have not confined themselves to the beaten tracks; they have never been satisfied to do things just as others do them, but always a little better. They always pushed things that came to their hands a little higher up, a little farther on. It is this little higher up, this little farther on, that counts in the quality of life's work. It is the constant effort to be first-class in everything one attempts that conquers the heights of excellence.

People who have done worthwhile work have held themselves to very high standards. They have not been content with mediocrity. They have not limited themselves to the usual paths. They have never been satisfied to do things just as others do them, but always a little better. They have always taken whatever came their way a little higher, a little farther. That extra height and distance make the difference in the quality of a life's work. Constantly striving to do everything first-class is what leads to the heights of excellence.

It is said that Daniel Webster made the best chowder in his state on the principle that he would not be second-class in anything. This is a good resolution with which to start out in your career; never to be second-class in anything. No matter what you do, try to do it as well as it can be done. Have nothing to do with the inferior. Do your best in everything; deal with the best; choose the best; live up to your best.

People say Daniel Webster made the best chowder in his state because he refused to be second-rate at anything. That is a good resolution to make as you start your career: never be second-rate at anything. Whatever you do, try to do it as well as possible. Have nothing to do with what is inferior. Do your best in everything. Deal with the best, choose the best, and live up to your best.

Everywhere we see mediocre or second-class men—perpetual clerks who will never get away from the yardstick; mechanics who will never be anything but bunglers, all sorts of people who will never rise above mediocrity, who will always fill very ordinary positions because they do not take pains, do not put conscience into their work, do not try to be first-class.

Everywhere we see mediocre or second-rate men. Some are lifelong clerks who will never move beyond measuring cloth. Some are mechanics who will never be anything but incompetent. All kinds of people will never rise above mediocrity and will always hold very ordinary jobs. That is because they do not take care, put their conscience into their work, or try to do first-class work.

Aside from the lack of desire or effort to be first-class, there are other things that help to make second-class men. Dissipation, bad habits, neglect of health, failure to get an education, all make second-class men. A man weakened by dissipation, whose understanding has been dulled, whose growth has been stunted by self-indulgences, is a second-class man, if, indeed, he is not third-class. A man who, through his amusements in his hours of leisure, exhausts his strength and vitality, vitiates his blood, wears his nerves till his limbs tremble like leaves in the wind, is only half a man, and could in no sense be called first-class.

Besides a lack of desire or effort to be first-class, other things help make men second-class. Excess, bad habits, neglecting health, and failing to get an education all make men second-class. A man weakened by excess is second-class, if not third-class. His self-indulgence has dulled his understanding and stunted his growth. A man may exhaust his strength and vitality through his leisure-time amusements. He may spoil his blood and wear down his nerves until his limbs tremble like leaves in the wind. Such a man is only half a man and could in no sense be called first-class.

Everybody knows the things that make for second-class characteristics. Boys imitate older boys and smoke cigarettes in order to be "smart." Then they keep on smoking because they have created an appetite as unnatural as it is harmful. Men get drunk for all sorts of reasons; but, whatever the reason, they cannot remain first-class men and drink. Dissipation in other forms is pursued because of pleasure to be derived, but the surest consequence is that of becoming second-class, below the standard of the best men for any purpose.

Everyone knows what leads to second-class qualities. Boys copy older boys and smoke cigarettes to be "smart." Then they keep smoking because they have developed a craving that is as unnatural as it is harmful. Men get drunk for all sorts of reasons. But whatever the reason, they cannot drink and remain first-class men. People pursue other forms of excess for pleasure. But the surest result is that they become second-class, below the standard of the best men for any purpose.

Every fault you allow to become a habit, to get control over you, helps to make you second-class, and puts you at a disadvantage in the race for honor, position, wealth, and happiness. Carelessness as to health fills the ranks of the inferior. The submerged classes that the economists talk about are those that are below the high-water mark of the best manhood and womanhood. Sometimes they are second-rate or third-rate people because those who are responsible for their being and their care during their minor years were so before them, but more and more is it becoming one's own fault if, all through life, he remains second-class. Education of some sort, and even a pretty good sort, is possible to practically everyone in our land. Failure to get the best education available, whether it be in books or in business training, is sure to relegate one to the ranks of the second-class.

Every fault you allow to become a habit and gain control over you helps make you second-class. It puts you at a disadvantage in the race for honor, position, wealth, and happiness. Neglecting your health swells the ranks of the inferior. The submerged classes that economists talk about fall below the high-water mark of the best manhood and womanhood. Sometimes people are second-rate or third-rate because their parents or childhood caregivers were before them. But increasingly, it is a person's own fault if they remain second-class throughout life. Practically everyone in our country can get some kind of education, and even a fairly good one. Failing to get the best education available, whether from books or business training, is sure to leave you among the second-class.

There is no excuse for incompetence in this age of opportunity; no excuse for being second-class when it is possible to be first-class, and when first-class is in demand everywhere.

There is no excuse for incompetence in this age of opportunity. There is no excuse for being second-class when you can be first-class and first-class ability is in demand everywhere.

Second-class things are wanted only when first-class can't be had. You wear first-class clothes if you can pay for them, eat first-class butter, first-class meat, and first-class bread, or, if you don't, you wish you could. Second-class men are no more wanted than any other second-class commodity. They are taken and used when the better article is scarce or is too high-priced for the occasion. For work that really amounts to anything, first-class men are wanted. If you make yourself first-class in anything, no matter what your condition or circumstances, no matter what your race or color, you will be in demand. If you are a king in your calling, no matter how humble it may be, nothing can keep you from success.

Second-rate things are wanted only when first-rate things are unavailable. If you can afford them, you wear first-rate clothes and eat first-rate butter, meat, and bread. If you don't, you wish you could. Second-rate men are no more wanted than any other second-rate goods. They are hired and used when better men are scarce or too expensive for the occasion. For work that really matters, first-rate men are wanted. If you become first-rate at anything, you will be in demand. Your situation, circumstances, race, or color make no difference. If you are a king in your line of work, nothing can keep you from success, however humble your work may be.

The world does not demand that you be a physician, a lawyer, a farmer, or a merchant; but it does demand that whatever you do undertake, you will do it right, will do it with all your might and with all the ability you possess. It demands that you be a master in your line.

The world does not demand that you be a doctor, lawyer, farmer, or merchant. But it does demand that whatever you undertake, you do it right, with all your effort and ability. It demands that you master your chosen field.

When Daniel Webster, who had the best brain of his time, was asked to make a speech on some question at the close of a Congressional session, he replied: "I never allow myself to speak on any subject until I have made it my own. I haven't time to do that in this case, hence, I must refuse to speak on the subject."

Daniel Webster had the best brain of his time. At the end of a Congressional session, he was asked to give a speech on a question. He replied: "I never speak on a subject until I have mastered it. I don't have time to do that in this case, so I must refuse to speak on the subject."

Dickens would never consent to read before an audience until he had thoroughly prepared his selection.

Dickens would never read to an audience until he had thoroughly prepared his selection.

Balzac, the great French novelist, sometimes worked a week on a single page.

Balzac, the great French novelist, sometimes spent a week working on a single page.

Macready, when playing before scant audiences in country theaters in England, Ireland, and Scotland, always played as if he were before the most brilliant audiences in the great metropolises of the world.

When Macready played to small audiences in country theaters in England, Ireland, and Scotland, he always performed as if he were before the most distinguished audiences in the world's great cities.

Thoroughness characterizes all successful men. Genius is the art of taking infinite pains. The trouble with many Americans is that they seem to think they can put any sort of poor, slipshod, half-done work into their careers and get first-class products. They do not realize that all great achievement has been characterized by extreme care, infinite painstaking, even to the minutest detail. No youth can ever hope to accomplish much who does not have thoroughness and accuracy indelibly fixed in his life-habit. Slipshodness, inaccuracy, the habit of half doing things, would ruin the career of a youth with a Napoleon's mind.

Thoroughness is a trait of all successful men. Genius is the art of taking endless pains. The trouble with many Americans is that they think they can do poor, sloppy, half-finished work and achieve first-class results. They do not realize that all great achievements have involved extreme care and endless effort, down to the smallest detail. No young person can hope to accomplish much without making thoroughness and accuracy lifelong habits. Sloppy, inaccurate, half-finished work would ruin the career of a young person with Napoleon’s mind.

If we were to examine a list of the men who have left their mark on the world, we should find that, as a rule, it is not composed of those who were brilliant in youth, or who gave great promise at the outset of their careers, but rather of the plodding young men who, if they have not dazzled by their brilliancy, have had the power of a day's work in them, who could stay by a task until it was done, and well done; who have had grit, persistence, common sense, and honesty.

If we looked at a list of men who have made their mark on the world, we would find a pattern. As a rule, they were not the ones who were brilliant in their youth or showed great promise early in their careers. Instead, they were the steady young men who could put in a full day's work, even if they did not dazzle anyone with their brilliance. They could stick with a task until it was finished and done well. They had grit, persistence, common sense, and honesty.

The thorough boys are the boys that are heard from, and usually from posts far higher up than those filled by the boys who were too "smart" to be thorough. One such boy is Elihu Root, now United States Senator. When he was a boy in the grammar school at Clinton, New York, he made up his mind that anything he had to study he would keep at until he mastered it. Although not considered one of the "bright" boys of the school, his teacher soon found that when Elihu professed to know anything he knew it through and through. He was fond of hard problems requiring application and patience. Sometimes the other boys called him a plodder, but Elihu would only smile pleasantly, for he knew what he was about. On winter evenings, while the other boys were out skating, Elihu frequently remained in his room with his arithmetic or algebra. Mr. Root recently said that if his close application to problems in his boyhood did nothing else for him, it made him careful about jumping at conclusions. To every problem there was only one answer, and patience was the price to be paid for it. Carrying the principle of "doing everything to a finish" into the law, he became one of the most noted members of the New York bar, intrusted with vast interests, and then a member of the President's cabinet.

Thorough boys are the ones who make their mark. They usually rise far above those who were too "smart" to be thorough. One such boy was Elihu Root, now a United States Senator. As a grammar school student in Clinton, New York, he made up his mind to master everything he had to study. He was not considered one of the "bright" boys in school. But his teacher soon discovered that when Elihu said he knew something, he knew it thoroughly. He liked hard problems that required effort and patience. Sometimes the other boys called him a plodder. But Elihu would only smile pleasantly, because he knew what he was doing. On winter evenings, while the other boys were out skating, Elihu often stayed in his room studying arithmetic or algebra. Mr. Root recently spoke about his careful work on problems as a boy. He said that, if it did nothing else, it taught him to be careful about jumping to conclusions. Every problem had only one answer, and patience was the price of finding it. He carried the principle of "doing everything to a finish" into his legal career. He became one of the most noted members of the New York bar and was entrusted with vast interests. He then became a member of the President's cabinet.

William Ellery Channing, the great New England divine, who in his youth was hardly able to buy the clothes he needed, had a passion for self-improvement. "I wanted to make the most of myself," he says; "I was not satisfied with knowing things superficially and by halves, but tried to get comprehensive views of what I studied."

William Ellery Channing was a great New England minister. In his youth, he could hardly afford the clothes he needed. He had a passion for self-improvement. "I wanted to make the most of myself," he says. "I was not satisfied with knowing things only superficially or halfway. I tried to gain a thorough understanding of what I studied."

The quality which, more than any other, has helped to raise the German people to their present commanding position in the world, is their thoroughness. It is giving young Germans a great advantage over both English and American youths. Every employer is looking for thoroughness, and German employees, owing to their preeminence in this respect, the superiority of their training, and the completeness of their preparation for business, are in great demand to-day in England, especially in banks and large mercantile houses.

More than any other quality, thoroughness has helped raise the German people to their current commanding position in the world. It gives young Germans a great advantage over both English and American youths. Every employer looks for thoroughness. German employees excel in this quality, have superior training, and are thoroughly prepared for business. As a result, they are in great demand today in England, especially in banks and large trading firms.

As a rule, a German who expects to engage in business takes a four years' course in some commercial school, and after graduation serves three years' apprenticeship without pay, to his chosen business.

As a rule, a German who plans to enter business spends four years at a commercial school. After graduating, he serves a three-year unpaid apprenticeship in his chosen business.

Thoroughness and reliability, the German's characteristics, are increasing the power of Germany throughout the civilized world.

Thoroughness and reliability are characteristics of the German people. These qualities are increasing Germany's power throughout the civilized world.

Our great lack is want of thoroughness. How seldom you find a young man or woman who is willing to prepare for his life-work! A little education is all they want, a little smattering of books, and then they are ready for business.

Our greatest shortcoming is a lack of thoroughness. How rarely you find a young man or woman willing to prepare for their life's work! All they want is a little education and a superficial knowledge of books. Then they are ready for business.

"Can't wait," "haven't time to be thorough," is characteristic of our country, and is written on everything—on commerce, on schools, on society, on churches. We can't wait for a high-school, seminary, or college education. The boy can't wait to become a youth, nor the youth to become a man. Young men rush into business with no great reserve of education or drill; of course, they do poor, feverish work, and break down in middle life, while many die of old age in the forties.

"Can't wait," "don't have time to be thorough." This attitude is typical of our country. It shows in everything: commerce, schools, society, and churches. We can't wait to finish high school, seminary, or college. Boys can't wait to become young men, and young men can't wait to become adults. Young men rush into business with little education or training to draw on. Of course, they do poor, frantic work and break down in middle age. Many die of old age in their forties.

Perhaps there is no other country in the world where so much poor work is done as in America. Half-trained medical students perform bungling operations, and butcher their patients, because they are not willing to take time for thorough preparation. Half-trained lawyers stumble through their cases, and make their clients pay for experience which the law school should have given. Half-trained clergymen bungle away in the pulpit, and disgust their intelligent and cultured parishioners. Many an American youth is willing to stumble through life half prepared for his work, and then blame society because he is a failure.

Perhaps no other country in the world produces as much poor work as America. Half-trained medical students botch operations and butcher their patients because they will not take time to prepare thoroughly. Half-trained lawyers stumble through their cases. They make their clients pay for experience they should have gained in law school. Half-trained clergy stumble through their sermons and disgust their intelligent, cultured parishioners. Many young Americans are willing to stumble through life only half prepared for their work. Then they blame society for their failure.

A young man, armed with letters of introduction from prominent men, one day presented himself before Chief Engineer Parsons, of the Rapid Transit Commission of New York as a candidate for a position. "What can you do? Have you any specialty?" asked Mr. Parsons. "I can do almost anything," answered the young man. "Well," remarked the Chief Engineer, rising to end the interview, "I have no use for anyone who can 'almost' do anything. I prefer someone who can actually do one thing thoroughly."

A young man once came to Chief Engineer Parsons of New York’s Rapid Transit Commission, seeking a job. He brought letters of introduction from prominent men. "What can you do? Do you have a specialty?" Mr. Parsons asked. "I can do almost anything," the young man answered. "Well," said the Chief Engineer, rising to end the interview, "I have no use for anyone who can 'almost' do anything. I prefer someone who can actually do one thing thoroughly."

There is a great crowd of human beings just outside the door of proficiency. They can half do a great many things, but can't do any one thing well, to a finish. They have acquisitions which remain permanently unavailable because they were not carried quite to the point of skill; they stopped just short of efficiency. How many people almost know a language or two, which they can neither write nor speak; a science or two, whose elements they have not fully mastered; an art or two, which they can not practise with satisfaction or profit!

A great crowd of people stands just outside the door to proficiency. They can half do many things, but cannot do any one thing well from start to finish. Their knowledge remains useless because they never developed it into skill. They stopped just short of being effective. How many people almost know a language or two, but can neither write nor speak them! How many have studied a science or two without fully mastering the basics! How many have learned an art or two but cannot practice it with satisfaction or profit!

The Patent Office at Washington contains hundreds,—yes, thousands,—of inventions which are useless simply because they are not quite practical, because the men who started them lacked the staying quality, the education, or the ability necessary to carry them to the point of practicability.

The Patent Office in Washington contains hundreds, even thousands, of inventions that are useless because they are not quite practical. The men who started them lacked the persistence, education, or ability needed to make them practical.

The world is full of half-finished work,—failures which require only a little more persistence, a little finer mechanical training, a little better education, to make them useful to civilization. Think what a loss it would be if such men as Edison and Bell had not come to the front and carried to a successful termination the half-finished work of others!

The world is full of unfinished work. These failures need only a little more persistence, better mechanical training, or better education to become useful to civilization. Think what a loss it would be if men like Edison and Bell had not stepped forward and successfully completed the unfinished work of others!

Make it a life-rule to give your best to whatever passes through your hands. Stamp it with your manhood. Let superiority be your trade-mark, let it characterize everything you touch. This is what every employer is looking for. It indicates the best kind of brain; it is the best substitute for genius; it is better capital than cash; it is a better promoter than friends, or "pulls" with the influential.

Make it a rule for life to give your best to whatever passes through your hands. Put your character into it. Let excellence be your trademark. Let it show in everything you touch. This is what every employer is looking for. It shows the best kind of mind. It is the best substitute for genius. It is better capital than cash. It does more to advance you than friends or "connections" with influential people.

A successful manufacturer says: "If you make a good pin, you will earn more money than if you make a bad steam engine." "If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor," says Emerson, "though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a path to his door."

A successful manufacturer says: "If you make a good pin, you will earn more money than if you make a bad steam engine." Emerson says: "If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mousetrap than his neighbor, the world will make a path to his door, even if he builds his house in the woods."

Never allow yourself to dwell too much upon what you are getting for your work. You have something of infinitely greater importance, greater value, at stake. Your honor, your whole career, your future success, will be affected by the way you do your work, by the conscience or lack of it which you put into your job. Character, manhood and womanhood are at stake, compared with which salary is nothing.

Never spend too much time thinking about what you are paid for your work. Something infinitely more important and valuable is at stake. Your honor, your whole career, and your future success will be affected by how you do your work. They will be affected by how conscientiously you do your job, or how little care you put into it. Your character and your worth as a man or woman are at stake. Your salary is nothing compared with these.

Everything you do is a part of your career. If any work that goes out of your hands is skimped, shirked, bungled, or botched, your character will suffer. If your work is badly done; if it goes to pieces; if there is shoddy or sham in it; if there is dishonesty in it, there is shoddy, sham, dishonesty in your character. We are all of a piece. We cannot have an honest character, a complete, untarnished career, when we are constantly slipping rotten hours, defective material and slipshod service into our work.

Everything you do is part of your career. If you cut corners, avoid work, or do it badly, your character will suffer. Your work may be poorly done or fall apart. It may be shoddy, fake, or dishonest. If it is, then your character is shoddy, fake, and dishonest too. We are all of a piece. We cannot have an honest character and a complete, untarnished career while constantly putting wasted hours, defective materials, and careless service into our work.

The man who has dealt in shams and inferiority, who has botched his work all his life, must be conscious that he has not been a real man; he can not help feeling that his career has been a botched one.

A man who has dealt in fakes and inferior goods and botched his work all his life must know he has not been a real man. He cannot help feeling that his career has been a failure.

To spend a life buying and selling lies, dealing in cheap, shoddy shams, or botching one's work, is demoralizing to every element of nobility.

Spending a lifetime buying and selling lies, dealing in cheap fakes, or doing sloppy work undermines every noble quality.

Beecher said he was never again quite the same man after reading Ruskin. You are never again quite the same man after doing a poor job, after botching your work. You cannot be just to yourself and unjust to the man you are working for in the quality of your work, for, if you slight your work, you not only strike a fatal blow at your efficiency, but also smirch your character. If you would be a full man, a complete man, a just man, you must be honest to the core in the quality of your work.

Beecher said he was never quite the same man after reading Ruskin. You are never quite the same person after doing a poor job or botching your work. You cannot be fair to yourself while giving your employer poor work. If you neglect your work, you deal a fatal blow to your efficiency and stain your character. To be a full, complete, and fair person, you must be honest to the core in the quality of your work.

No one can be really happy who does not believe in his own honesty. We are so constituted that every departure from the right, from principle, causes loss of self-respect, and makes us unhappy.

No one can be truly happy without believing in their own honesty. By nature, whenever we stray from what is right or abandon our principles, we lose self-respect and become unhappy.

Every time we obey the inward law of doing right we hear an inward approval, the amen of the soul, and every time we disobey it, a protest or condemnation.

Every time we follow the inner law of doing right, we hear its approval, the soul’s amen. Every time we disobey that law, we hear a protest or condemnation.

There is everything in holding a high ideal of your work, for whatever model the mind holds, the life copies. Whatever your vocation, let quality be your life-slogan.

Holding a high ideal for your work is everything, because your life follows whatever model your mind holds. Whatever your occupation, make quality your guiding principle in life.

A famous artist said he would never allow himself to look at an inferior drawing or painting, to do anything that was low or demoralizing, lest familiarity with it should taint his own ideal and thus be communicated to his brush.

A famous artist said he would never look at an inferior drawing or painting or do anything degrading or demoralizing. He feared that familiarity with such things would taint his own ideal and affect his painting.

Many excuse poor, slipshod work on the plea of lack of time. But in the ordinary situations of life there is plenty of time to do everything as it ought to be done.

Many people excuse poor, careless work by saying they lack time. But in ordinary life, there is plenty of time to do everything properly.

There is an indescribable superiority added to the character and fiber of the man who always and everywhere puts quality into his work. There is a sense of wholeness, of satisfaction, of happiness, in his life which is never felt by the man who does not do his level best every time. He is not haunted by the ghosts or tail ends of half-finished tasks, of skipped problems; is not kept awake by a troubled conscience.

A man who always puts quality into his work gains an indescribable strength of character. His life has a sense of wholeness, satisfaction, and happiness that a man who does not always do his best never feels. He is not haunted by the ghosts or loose ends of unfinished tasks and skipped problems. A troubled conscience does not keep him awake.

When we are trying with all our might to do our level best, our whole nature improves. Everything looks down when we are going down hill. Aspiration lifts the life; groveling lowers it.

When we try with all our might to do our best, our whole nature improves. Everything looks bleak when we are going downhill. Aspiration lifts our lives. Groveling brings them down.

Don't think you will never hear from a half-finished job, a neglected or botched piece of work. It will never die. It will bob up farther along in your career at the most unexpected moments, in the most embarrassing situations. It will be sure to mortify you when you least expect it. Like Banquo's ghost, it will arise at the most unexpected moments to mar your happiness. A single broken thread in a web of cloth is traced back to the girl who neglected her work in the factory, and the amount of damage is deducted from her wages.

Don't think a half-finished, neglected, or botched job will never come back to haunt you. It will never die. It will turn up later in your career at the most unexpected times and in the most embarrassing situations. It is sure to humiliate you when you least expect it. Like Banquo's ghost, it will appear at the most unexpected moments to spoil your happiness. A single broken thread in a piece of cloth is traced back to the girl who neglected her work at the factory. The cost of the damage is deducted from her wages.

Thousands of people are held back all their lives and obliged to accept inferior positions because they cannot entirely overcome the handicap of slipshod habits formed early in life, habits of inaccuracy, of slovenliness, of skipping difficult problems in school, of slurring their work, shirking, or half doing it. "Oh, that's good enough, what's the use of being so awfully particular?" has been the beginning of a life-long handicap in many a career.

Thousands of people are held back all their lives and forced to accept lesser positions. This is because they cannot entirely overcome the effects of careless habits formed early in life. These habits include being inaccurate or sloppy, skipping difficult problems in school, and doing careless or halfhearted work. They also include avoiding work altogether. "Oh, that's good enough. What's the point of being so particular?" That attitude has held many people back throughout their careers.

I was much impressed by this motto, which I saw recently in a great establishment, "WHERE ONLY THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH." What a life-motto this would be! How it would revolutionize civilization if everyone were to adopt it and use it; to resolve that, whatever they did only the best they could do would be good enough, would satisfy them!

I was deeply impressed by a motto I recently saw in a large business: "WHERE ONLY THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH." What a motto to live by! It would revolutionize civilization if everyone adopted and followed it. Imagine if everyone decided that, whatever they did, only their best would be good enough to satisfy them!

Adopt this motto as yours. Hang it up in your bedroom, in your office or place of business, put it into your pocket-book, weave it into the texture of everything you do, and your life-work will be what every one's should be—A MASTERPIECE.

Make this motto your own. Hang it in your bedroom, your office, or your workplace. Put it in your wallet. Weave it into everything you do. Then your life’s work will be what everyone’s should be: A MASTERPIECE.