Decision

When Rome was besieged by the Gauls in the time of the Republic, the Romans were so hard pressed that they consented to purchase immunity with gold. They were in the act of weighing it, a legend tells us, when Camillus appeared on the scene, threw his sword into the scales in place of the ransom, and declared that the Romans should not purchase peace, but would win it with the sword. This act of daring and prompt decision so roused the Romans that they triumphantly swept from the sacred soil the enemy of their peace.

During the Republic, the Gauls besieged Rome. The Romans were under such pressure that they agreed to pay gold to be spared. According to legend, they were weighing the gold when Camillus appeared. He threw his sword into the scales in place of the ransom. He declared that the Romans would not buy peace but would win it with the sword. His daring act and quick decision so inspired the Romans that they triumphantly swept the enemy of their peace from their sacred soil.

In an emergency, the arrival of a prompt, decided, positive man, who will do something, although it may be wrong, changes the face of everything. Such a man comes upon the scene like a refreshing breeze blown down from the mountain top. He is a tonic to the hesitating, bewildered crowd.

In an emergency, a prompt, decisive, confident man who takes action changes everything, even if his action may be wrong. He arrives like a refreshing breeze from a mountaintop. He gives new energy to the hesitant, bewildered crowd.

When Antiochus Epiphanes invaded Egypt, which was then under the protection of Rome, the Romans sent an ambassador who met Antiochus near Alexandria and commanded him to withdraw. The invader gave an evasive reply. The brave Roman swept a circle around the king with his sword, and forbade his crossing the line until he had given his answer. By the prompt decision of the intrepid ambassador the invader was led to withdraw, and war was prevented. The prompt decision of the Romans won them many a battle, and made them masters of the world. All the great achievements in the history of the world are the results of quick and steadfast decision.

When Antiochus Epiphanes invaded Egypt, the country was under Rome’s protection. The Romans sent an ambassador who met Antiochus near Alexandria and ordered him to withdraw. The invader gave an evasive answer. The brave Roman drew a circle around the king with his sword. He forbade the king to cross the line until he gave his answer. The fearless ambassador’s prompt decision led the invader to withdraw and prevented a war. The Romans’ prompt decisions won them many battles and made them masters of the world. All the great achievements in world history are the result of quick and steadfast decisions.

Men who have left their mark upon their century have been men of great and prompt decision. An undecided man, a man who is ever balancing between two opinions, forever debating which of two courses he will pursue, proclaims by his indecision that he can not control himself, that he was meant to be possessed by others; he is not a man, only a satellite. The decided man, the prompt man, does not wait for favorable circumstances; he does not submit to events; events must submit to him.

Men who have made their mark on their century have been decisive and quick to act. An indecisive man is always weighing two opinions and debating which of two paths to take. His indecision shows that he cannot control himself and was meant to be controlled by others. He is not a man, only a satellite. A decisive man acts promptly. He does not wait for favorable circumstances or submit to events. Events must submit to him.

The vacillating man is ever at the mercy of the opinion of the man who talked with him last. He may see the right, but he drifts toward the wrong. If he decides upon a course he only follows it until somebody opposes it.

An indecisive man is always at the mercy of the opinion of the last person he spoke with. He may see what is right, but he drifts toward what is wrong. If he decides on a course of action, he follows it only until someone opposes it.

When Julius Caesar came to the Rubicon, which formed the boundary of Italia,—"the sacred and inviolable,"—even his great decision wavered at the thought of invading a territory which no general was allowed to enter without the permission of the Senate. But his alternative was "destroy myself, or destroy my country," and his intrepid mind did not waver long. "The die is cast," he said, as he dashed into the stream at the head of his legions. The whole history of the world was changed by that moment's decision. The man who said, "I came, I saw, I conquered," could not hesitate long. He, like Napoleon, had the power to choose one course, and sacrifice every conflicting plan on the instant. When he landed with his troops in Britain, the inhabitants resolved never to surrender. Caesar's quick mind saw that he must commit his soldiers to victory or death. In order to cut off all hope of retreat, he burned all the ships which had borne them to the shores of Britain. There was no hope of return, it was victory or death. This action was the key to the character and triumphs of this great warrior.

When Julius Caesar came to the Rubicon, he reached the boundary of Italia, “the sacred and inviolable.” Even his great resolve wavered at the thought of invading. No general was allowed to enter the territory without the Senate’s permission. But his choice was to “destroy myself, or destroy my country,” and his fearless mind did not waver long. “The die is cast,” he said, as he rushed into the stream at the head of his legions. That moment’s decision changed the entire history of the world. The man who said, “I came, I saw, I conquered,” could not hesitate long. Like Napoleon, he could choose one course and instantly give up every conflicting plan. When Caesar landed with his troops in Britain, the inhabitants resolved never to surrender. Caesar’s quick mind saw that he had to commit his soldiers to victory or death. To cut off all hope of retreat, he burned all the ships that had brought them to Britain’s shores. There was no hope of return. It was victory or death. This action was the key to the character and triumphs of this great warrior.

Satan's sublime decision in "Paradise Lost," after his hopeless banishment from heaven, excites a feeling akin to admiration. After a few moments of terrible suspense he resumes his invincible spirit and expresses that sublime line: "What matter where, if I be still the same?"

In "Paradise Lost," Satan’s sublime decision after his hopeless banishment from heaven inspires something like admiration. After a few moments of terrible suspense, his unconquerable spirit returns. He speaks the sublime line: "What matter where, if I be still the same?"

That power to decide instantly the best course to pursue, and to sacrifice every opposing motive; and, when once sacrificed, to silence them forever and not allow them continually to plead their claims and distract us from our single decided course, is one of the most potent forces in winning success. To hesitate is sometimes to be lost. In fact, the man who is forever twisting and turning, backing and filling, hesitating and dawdling, shuffling and parleying, weighing and balancing, splitting hairs over non-essentials, listening to every new motive which presents itself, will never accomplish anything. There is not positiveness enough in him; negativeness never accomplishes anything. The negative man creates no confidence, he only invites distrust. But the positive man, the decided man, is a power in the world, and stands for something. You can measure him, gauge him. You can estimate the work that his energy will accomplish. It is related of Alexander the Great that, when asked how it was that he had conquered the world, he replied, "By not wavering."

The ability to decide instantly on the best course and set aside every competing motive is a powerful force in achieving success. Once we have set those motives aside, we must silence them forever. We must not let them keep making their claims and distracting us from the single course we have chosen. To hesitate is sometimes to be lost. In fact, a man who is always changing direction, backing up and moving forward, hesitating and wasting time, evading and debating will never accomplish anything. He weighs and balances everything, splits hairs over unimportant details, and listens to every new motive that arises. He is not decisive enough. Indecision never accomplishes anything. An indecisive man inspires no confidence. He only invites distrust. But a decisive man is a force in the world, and he stands for something. You can measure him and judge him. You can estimate what his energy will accomplish. It is said that Alexander the Great was asked how he had conquered the world. He replied, "By not wavering."

When the packet ship Stephen Whitney struck, at midnight, on an Irish cliff, and clung for a few moments to the cliff, all the passengers who leaped instantly upon the rock were saved. The positive step landed them in safety. Those who lingered were swept off by the returning wave, and engulfed forever.

At midnight, the packet ship Stephen Whitney struck an Irish cliff and remained against it for a few moments. All the passengers who jumped onto the rock immediately were saved. Their decisive action brought them to safety. Those who waited were swept away by the returning wave and lost forever.

The vacillating man is never a prompt man, and without promptness no success is possible. Great opportunities not only come seldom into the most fortunate life, but also are often quickly gone.

An indecisive man is never quick to act, and without prompt action, no success is possible. Great opportunities rarely come, even to the most fortunate person, and they often disappear quickly.

"A man without decision," says John Foster, "can never be said to belong to himself; since if he dared to assert that he did, the puny force of some cause, about as powerful as a spider, may make a seizure of the unhappy boaster the very next minute, and contemptuously exhibit the futility of the determination by which he was to have proved the independence of his understanding and will. He belongs to whatever can make capture of him; and one thing after another vindicates its right to him by arresting him while he is trying to go on; as twigs and chips floating near the edge of a river are intercepted by every weed and whirled into every little eddy."

"A man without decisiveness," says John Foster, "can never be said to belong to himself. For if he dared to claim that he did, some feeble influence, no stronger than a spider, might seize him the very next minute. It would contemptuously expose the futility of the resolve meant to prove his independence of thought and will. He belongs to whatever can capture him. One thing after another proves its claim on him by stopping him as he tries to move forward. He is like twigs and chips floating near a riverbank, caught by every weed and whirled into every little eddy."

The decided man not only has the advantage of the time saved from dillydallying and procrastination, but he also saves the energy and vital force which is wasted by the perplexed man who takes up every argument on one side and then on the other, and weighs them until the two sides hang in equipoise, with no prepondering motive to enable him to decide. He is in stable equilibrium, and so does not move at all of his own volition, but moves very easily at the slightest volition of another.

A decisive man saves not only the time lost to hesitation and procrastination. He also saves the energy and vitality wasted by a man who cannot decide. The undecided man considers every argument on one side, then the other. He weighs them until the two sides are evenly balanced, with no stronger reason to decide either way. He remains in balance and does not move of his own will. But he moves very easily at the slightest urging from someone else.

Yet there is not a man living who might not be a prompt and decided man if he would only learn always to act quickly. The punctual man, the decided man, can do twice as much as the undecided and dawdling man who never quite knows what he wants. Prompt decision saved Napoleon and Grant and their armies many a time when delay would have been fatal. Napoleon used to say that although a battle might last an entire day, yet it generally turned upon a few critical minutes, in which the fate of the engagement was decided. His will, which subdued nearly the whole of Europe, was as prompt and decisive in the minutest detail of command as in the greatest battle.

Yet any man alive could be prompt and decisive if he would only learn to act quickly every time. The punctual, decisive man can do twice as much as the indecisive, dawdling man who never quite knows what he wants. Quick decisions saved Napoleon and Grant and their armies many times when delay would have been fatal. Napoleon used to say that a battle might last a whole day. Yet its outcome was generally settled in a few critical minutes. His will brought nearly all of Europe under his control. It was as prompt and decisive in the smallest detail of command as in the greatest battle.

Decision of purpose and promptness of action enabled him to astonish the world with his marvelous successes. He seemed to be everywhere at once. What he could accomplish in a day surprised all who knew him. He seemed to electrify everybody about him. His invincible energy thrilled the whole army. He could rouse to immediate and enthusiastic action the dullest troops, and inspire with courage the most stupid men. The "ifs and buts," he said, "are at present out of season; and above all it must be done with speed." He would sit up all night if necessary, after riding thirty or forty leagues, to attend to correspondence, dispatches and, details. What a lesson to dawdling, shiftless, half-hearted men!

His clear sense of purpose and quick action enabled him to astonish the world with his remarkable successes. He seemed to be everywhere at once. What he could accomplish in a day surprised everyone who knew him. He seemed to electrify everyone around him. His unstoppable energy thrilled the whole army. He could stir even the dullest troops to immediate, enthusiastic action. He could inspire even the most foolish men with courage. “Ifs and buts,” he said, “are out of season right now. Above all, it must be done quickly.” If necessary, he would stay up all night after riding thirty or forty leagues. He would attend to correspondence, dispatches, and details. What a lesson for slow, lazy, half-hearted men!

"The doubt of Charles V.," says Motley, "changed the destinies of the civilized world."

"The doubt of Charles V," says Motley, "changed the course of the civilized world."

So powerful were President Washington's views in determining the actions of the people, that when Congress adjourned, Jefferson wrote to Monroe at Paris: "You will see by their proceedings the truth of what I always told you,—namely, that one man outweighs them all in influence, who supports his judgment against their own and that of their representatives. Republicanism resigns the vessel to the pilot."

President Washington’s views had a powerful influence on the people’s actions. When Congress adjourned, Jefferson wrote to Monroe in Paris: "You will see from their proceedings the truth of what I have always told you. One man has more influence than all of them. He asserts his judgment against theirs and that of their representatives. Republicanism leaves the ship to the pilot."

There is no vocation or occupation which does not present many difficulties, at times almost overwhelming, and the young man who allows himself to waver every time he comes to a hard place in life will not succeed. Without decision there can be no concentration; and, to succeed, a man must concentrate.

Every job brings many difficulties, some of them almost overwhelming. A young man who hesitates whenever he faces a difficult situation in life will not succeed. Without decisiveness, there can be no concentration. And to succeed, a man must concentrate.

The undecided man can not bring himself to a focus. He dissipates his energy, scatters his forces, and executes nothing. He can not hold to one thing long enough to bring success out of it. One vocation or occupation presents its rosy side to him, he feels sure it is the thing he wants to do, and, full of enthusiasm, adopts it as his life's work. But in a few days the thorns begin to appear, his enthusiasm evaporates, and he wonders why he is so foolish as to think himself fitted for that vocation. The one which his friend adopted is much better suited to him; he drops his own and adopts the other. So he vacillates through life, captured by any new occupation which happens to appeal to him as the most desirable at the time, never using his judgment or common sense, but governed by his impressions and his feelings at the moment. Such people are never led by principle. You never know where to find them; they are here to-day and there to-morrow, doing this thing and that thing, throwing away all the skill they had acquired in mastering the drudgery of the last occupation. In fact, they never go far enough in anything to get beyond the drudgery stage to the remunerative and agreeable stage, the skilful stage. They spend their lives at the beginning of occupations, which are always most agreeable. These people rarely reach the stage of competency, comfort, and contentment.

An undecided man cannot focus. He wastes his energy, scatters his efforts, and accomplishes nothing. He cannot stick with one thing long enough to succeed at it. A career or occupation shows him its bright side, and he feels sure it is what he wants to do. Full of enthusiasm, he adopts it as his life's work. But within a few days, the thorns begin to appear, and his enthusiasm disappears. He wonders why he was foolish enough to think he was suited to that work. His friend's occupation seems much better suited to him, so he abandons his own and takes up the other. So he wavers through life, drawn to any new occupation that happens to seem most desirable at the time. He never uses his judgment or common sense. Instead, his impressions and feelings at the moment govern him. Such people are never guided by principle. You never know where to find them. They are here today and there tomorrow, doing one thing and then another. They throw away all the skill they gained while mastering the drudgery of their last occupation. In fact, they never go far enough in anything to get beyond the drudgery. They never reach the stage where they are skilled and the work becomes profitable and pleasant. They spend their lives at the beginning of occupations, which are always most pleasant. These people rarely reach a stage of competence, comfort, and contentment.

There is a legend of a powerful genius who promised a lovely maiden a gift of rare value if she would go through a field of corn, and, without pausing, going backward, or wandering hither and thither, select the largest and ripest ear. The value of the gift was to be in proportion to the size and perfection of the ear. She passed by many magnificent ones, but was so eager to get the largest and most perfect that she kept on without plucking any until the ears she passed were successively smaller and smaller and more stunted. Finally they became so small that she was ashamed to select one of them; and, not being allowed to go backward, she came out on the other side without any.

A legend tells of a powerful spirit who promised a beautiful young woman a valuable gift. To earn it, she had to walk through a cornfield and select the largest, ripest ear of corn. She could not stop, go backward, or wander from side to side. The value of the gift would depend on the ear’s size and perfection. She passed many magnificent ears, but she was so eager to find the largest and most perfect that she picked none. As she went on, the ears grew smaller and more stunted. Finally, they became so small that she was ashamed to pick one. Since she could not go back, she came out the other side without any.

Alexander, his heart throbbing with a great purpose, conquers the world; Hannibal, impelled by his hatred to the Romans, even crosses the Alps to compass his design. While other men are bemoaning difficulties and shrinking from dangers and obstacles, and preparing expedients, the great soul, without fuss or noise, takes the step, and lo, the mountain has been leveled and the way lies open. Learn, then, to will strongly and decisively; thus fix your floating life and leave it no longer to be carried hither and thither, like a withered leaf, by every wind that blows. An undecided man is like the turnstile at a fair, which is in everybody's way but stops no one.

Alexander, his heart pulsing with a great purpose, conquers the world. Hannibal, driven by his hatred of the Romans, even crosses the Alps to achieve his goal. Other men complain about difficulties, shrink from dangers and obstacles, and prepare makeshift solutions. Meanwhile, the great soul takes the next step without fuss or noise. And suddenly, the mountain has been leveled and the way is open. Learn, then, to act with strong and decisive will. Give your drifting life direction, instead of letting every wind carry it about like a withered leaf. An undecided man is like a turnstile at a fair: he is in everyone's way but stops no one.

"The secret of the whole matter was," replied Amos Lawrence, "we had formed the habit of prompt acting, thus taking the top of the tide; while the habit of some others was to delay till about half tide, thus getting on the flats."

"The secret of the whole matter was," replied Amos Lawrence, "that we had formed the habit of acting promptly. We caught the tide at its peak. Others had a habit of waiting until the tide was half out, so they ran aground on the flats."

Most of the young men and women who are lost in our cities are ruined because of their inability to say "No" to the thousand allurements and temptations which appeal to their weak passions. If they would only show a little decision at first, one emphatic "No" might silence their solicitors forever. But they are weak, they are afraid of offending, they don't like to say "No," and thus they throw down the gauntlet and are soon on the broad road to ruin. A little resolution early in life will soon conquer the right to mind one's own business.

Most young men and women who lose their way in our cities are ruined because they cannot say "No" to the countless temptations that appeal to their weak passions. If they showed a little resolve at first, one firm "No" might silence those who tempt them forever. But they are weak and afraid of offending others. They don't like to say "No," so they invite trouble and are soon on the road to ruin. A little resolve early in life will soon win them the right to mind their own business.

An old legend says that a fool and a wise man were journeying together, and came to a point where two ways opened before them,—one broad and beautiful, the other narrow and rough. The fool desired to take the pleasant way; the wise man knew that the difficult one was the shortest and safest, and so declared. But at last the urgency of the fool prevailed; they took the more inviting path, and were soon met by robbers, who seized their goods and made them captives. A little later both they and their captors were arrested by officers of the law and taken before the judge. Then the wise man pleaded that the fool was to blame because he desired to take the wrong way. The fool pleaded that he was only a fool, and no sensible man should have heeded his counsel. The judge punished them both equally. "If sinners entice thee, consent thou not."

An old legend tells of a fool and a wise man traveling together. They came to a place where two roads lay before them. One was broad and beautiful. The other was narrow and rough. The fool wanted to take the pleasant road. The wise man knew the difficult road was shorter and safer, and he said so. But the fool kept urging him, and at last the wise man gave in. They took the more inviting road and soon met robbers who seized their belongings and took them captive. A little later, officers of the law arrested both travelers and their captors and brought them before a judge. The wise man argued that the fool was to blame because he had wanted to take the wrong road. The fool argued that he was only a fool, and no sensible man should have listened to his advice. The judge punished them both equally. "If sinners tempt you, do not give in."

There is no habit that so grows on the soul as irresolution. Before a man knows what he has done, he has gambled his life away, and all because he has never made up his mind what he would do with it. On many of the tombstones of those who have failed in life could be read between the lines: "He Dawdled," "Behind Time," "Procrastination," "Listlessness," "Shiftlessness," "Nervelessness," "Always Behind." Oh, the wrecks strewn along the shores of life "just behind success," "just this side of happiness," above which the words of warning are flying!

No habit grows on the soul as much as indecision. Before a man knows it, he has gambled his life away. All because he never decided what he would do with it. On many tombstones of those who failed in life, you could read between the lines: "He Wasted Time," "Behind Schedule," "Procrastination," "Lack of Interest," "Lack of Drive," "Lack of Courage," "Always Behind." Oh, the wrecks scattered along the shores of life, "just behind success," "just short of happiness," with words of warning flying above them!

Webster said of such an undecided man that "he is like the irresolution of the sea at the turn of tide. This man neither advances nor recedes; he simply hovers." Such a man is at the mercy of any chance occurrence that may overtake him. His "days are lost lamenting o'er lost days." He has no power to seize the facts which confront him and compel them to serve him.

Webster said of an indecisive man that "he is like the restless sea as the tide turns. He neither moves forward nor moves back. He simply hovers." Such a man is at the mercy of anything that happens to him. His "days are wasted regretting wasted days." He cannot seize the facts facing him and make them work for him.

To indolent, shiftless, listless people life becomes a mere shuffle of expedients. They do not realize that the habit of putting everything off puts off their manhood, their capacity, their success; their contagion infects their whole neighborhood. Scott used to caution youth against the habit of dawdling, which creeps in at every crevice of unoccupied time and often ruins a bright life. "Your motto must be," he said, "Hoc age,"—do instantly. This is the only way to check the propensity to dawdling. How many hours have been wasted dawdling in bed, turning over and dreading to get up! Many a career has been crippled by it. Burton could not overcome this habit, and, convinced that it would ruin his success, made his servant promise before he went to bed to get him up at just such a time; the servant called, and called, and coaxed; but Burton would beg him to be left a little longer. The servant, knowing that he would lose his shilling if he did not get him up, then dashed cold water into the bed between the sheets, and Burton came out with a bound. When one asked a lazy young fellow what made him lie in bed so long, "I am employed," said he, "in hearing counsel every morning. Industry advises me to get up; Sloth to lie still; and they give me twenty reasons for and against. It is my part, as an impartial judge, to hear all that can be said on both sides, and by the time the cause is over dinner is ready."

For lazy, aimless, unmotivated people, life becomes a mere scramble for quick fixes. They do not realize that putting everything off delays their growth into adulthood, their abilities, and their success. Their example spreads like a disease through the whole neighborhood. Scott used to warn young people against dawdling. It creeps into every gap in unoccupied time and often ruins a promising life. "Your motto must be," he said, "Hoc age," meaning "do it now." This is the only way to curb the tendency to dawdle. How many hours have been wasted dawdling in bed, turning over and dreading getting up! Many a career has been crippled by this habit. Burton could not overcome it and was convinced it would ruin his chances of success. So, before going to bed, he made his servant promise to get him up at a set time. The servant called and called and coaxed him, but Burton begged to be left a little longer. The servant knew he would lose his shilling if he did not get Burton up. So he threw cold water between the sheets, and Burton leaped out of bed. Someone once asked a lazy young man why he stayed in bed so long. "I am busy listening to advice every morning," he said. "Industry advises me to get up. Sloth advises me to lie still. Each gives me twenty reasons for or against getting up. As an impartial judge, I must hear everything both sides have to say. By the time the case is over, dinner is ready."

There is no doubt that, as a rule, great decision of character is usually accompanied by great constitutional firmness. Men who have been noted for great firmness of character have usually been strong and robust. There is no quality of the mind which does not sympathize with bodily weakness, and especially is this true with the power of decision, which is usually impaired or weakened from physical suffering or any great physical debility. As a rule, it is the strong physical man who carries weight and conviction. Any bodily weakness, or lassitude, or lack of tone and vigor, is, perhaps, first felt in the weakened or debilitated power of decisions.

There is no doubt that, as a rule, great decisiveness usually goes with a strong physical constitution. Men known for great firmness of character have usually been strong and robust. Every mental quality is affected by bodily weakness. This is especially true of the power to make decisions. Physical suffering or severe physical weakness usually impairs or weakens that power. As a rule, a physically strong man carries weight and conviction. Bodily weakness, tiredness, or lack of vigor perhaps first makes itself felt in a weakened ability to make decisions.

Nothing will give greater confidence, and bring assistance more quickly from the bank or from a friend, than the reputation of promptness. The world knows that the prompt man's bills and notes will be paid on the day, and will trust him. "Let it be your first study to teach the world that you are not wood and straw; that there is some iron in you." "Let men know that what you say you will do; that your decision, once made, is final,—no wavering; that, once resolved, you are not to be allured or intimidated."

Nothing inspires more confidence or brings help more quickly from a bank or a friend than a reputation for promptness. People know that a prompt man pays his bills and notes when they are due, and they will trust him. "Make it your first priority to show the world that you are not made of wood and straw, but have some iron in you." "Let people know that you will do what you say. Once you make a decision, it is final. You do not waver. Once you have made up your mind, you cannot be tempted or intimidated."

Some minds are so constructed that they are bewildered and dazed whenever a responsibility is thrust upon them; they have a mortal dread of deciding anything. The very effort to come to immediate and unflinching decision starts up all sorts of doubts, difficulties, and fears, and they can not seem to get light enough to decide nor courage enough to attempt to remove the obstacle. They know that hesitation is fatal to enterprise, fatal to progress, fatal to success. Yet somehow they seem fated with a morbid introspection which ever holds them in suspense. They have just energy enough to weigh motives, but nothing left for the momentum of action. They analyze and analyze, deliberate, weigh, consider, ponder, but never act. How many a man can trace his downfall in life to the failure to seize his opportunity at the favorable moment, when it was within easy grasp, the nick of time, which often does not present itself but once!

Some people are so made that responsibility bewilders and overwhelms them. They are terrified of making any decision. The very effort to decide promptly and firmly brings up all kinds of doubts, difficulties, and fears. They cannot seem to find enough clarity to decide or enough courage to try to remove the obstacle. They know that hesitation is fatal to enterprise, progress, and success. Yet somehow they seem doomed to an unhealthy self-examination that keeps them in suspense. They have just enough energy to weigh their motives, but none left to propel them into action. They analyze and analyze, deliberate, weigh, consider, and ponder, but never act. How many people can trace their downfall in life to a failure to seize an opportunity at the right moment! The opportunity was within easy reach, but that critical moment often comes only once.

It was said that Napoleon had an officer under him who understood the tactics of war better than his commander, but he lacked that power of rapid decision and powerful concentration which characterized the greatest military leaders perhaps of the world. There were several generals under Grant who were as well skilled in war tactics, knew the country as well, were better educated, but they lacked that power of decision which made unconditional surrender absolutely imperative wherever he met the foe. Grant's decision was like inexorable fate. There was no going behind it, no opening it up for reconsideration. It was his decision which voiced itself in those memorable words in the Wilderness, "I propose to fight it out on these lines if it takes all summer," and which sent back the words "unconditional surrender" to General Buckner, who asked him for conditions of capitulation, that gave the first confidence to the North that the rebellion was doomed. At last Lincoln had a general who had the power of decision, and the North breathed easy for the first time.

It was said that an officer serving under Napoleon understood military tactics better than his commander. But he lacked the quick decision-making and intense focus that marked Napoleon, perhaps the world’s greatest military leader. Several generals serving under Grant were equally skilled in military tactics, knew the country as well, and were better educated. But they lacked Grant’s power of decision, which made unconditional surrender imperative wherever he met the enemy. Grant’s decisions were as unstoppable as fate. There was no going back on them or reopening them for reconsideration. His decisiveness spoke in his memorable words in the Wilderness: "I propose to fight it out on these lines if it takes all summer." It also spoke in his reply of "unconditional surrender" to General Buckner, who had asked for terms of surrender. This decisiveness gave the North its first confidence that the rebellion was doomed. At last Lincoln had a general with the power to make decisions, and the North breathed easy for the first time.

The man who would forge to the front in this competitive age must be a man of prompt and determined decision; like Caesar, he must burn his ships behind him, and make retreat forever impossible. When he draws his sword he must throw the scabbard away, lest in a moment of discouragement and irresolution he be tempted to sheathe it. He must nail his colors to the mast as Nelson did in battle, determined to sink with his ship if he can not conquer. Prompt decision and sublime audacity have carried many a successful man over perilous crises where deliberation would have been ruin.

A man who wants to get ahead in this competitive age must make decisions quickly and firmly. Like Caesar, he must burn his ships behind him and make retreat impossible forever. When he draws his sword, he must throw away the scabbard. Otherwise, a moment of discouragement or doubt might tempt him to put the sword away. He must nail his colors to the mast as Nelson did in battle. He must be determined to sink with his ship if he cannot conquer. Quick decisions and great boldness have carried many successful men through dangerous crises where taking time to deliberate would have brought ruin.

"Hoc age."

Focus on what you are doing.