The Self-Improvement Habit

If you want knowledge you must toil for it.—RUSKIN.

If you want knowledge, you must work hard for it. RUSKIN.

We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.—QUINTILLIAN.

We excuse our laziness by claiming that things are difficult. QUINTILLIAN.

What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the human soul.—ADDISON.

Education shapes the human soul as sculpture shapes a block of marble. ADDISON.

A boy is better unborn than untaught.—GASCOIGNE.

A boy is better off never born than never taught. GASCOIGNE.

It is ignorance that wastes; it is knowledge that saves, an untaught faculty is at once quiescent and dead.—N. D. HILLIS.

Ignorance wastes, while knowledge saves. An untrained ability is both inactive and dead. N. D. HILLIS.

The plea that this or that man has no time for culture will vanish as soon as we desire culture so much that we begin to examine seriously into our present use of time.—MATTHEW ARNOLD.

The excuse that someone has no time for culture will vanish once we desire culture enough to seriously examine how we use our time. Matthew Arnold.

Education, as commonly understood, is the process of developing the mind by means of books and teachers. When education has been neglected, either by reason of lack of opportunity, or because advantage was not taken of the opportunities afforded, the one remaining hope is self-improvement. Opportunities for self-improvement surround us, the helps to self-improvement are abundant, and in this day of cheap books and free libraries, there can be no good excuse for neglect to use the faculties for mental growth and development which are so abundantly supplied.

Education is commonly understood as the process of developing the mind through books and teachers. When education has been neglected, self-improvement is the only remaining hope. This is true whether the person lacked opportunities or failed to take advantage of them. Opportunities for self-improvement surround us, and there are plenty of resources to help us. Today, with cheap books and free libraries, there is no good excuse for neglecting to use these abundant resources for mental growth and development.

When we look at the difficulties which hindered the acquisition of knowledge fifty years to a century ago; the scarcity and the costliness of books, the value of the dimmest candle-light, the unremitting toil which left so little time for study, the physical weariness which had to be overcome to enable mental exertion in study, we may well marvel at the giants of scholarship those days of hardship produced. And when we add to educational limitations, physical disabilities, blindness, deformity, ill-health, hunger and cold, we may feel shame as we contemplate the fulness of modern opportunity and the helps and incentives to study and self-development which are so lavishly provided for our use and inspiration, and of which we make so little use.

Consider the obstacles to learning fifty to a hundred years ago. Books were scarce and expensive, and even the dimmest candlelight was precious. Constant work left little time for study, and people had to overcome physical exhaustion to concentrate. When we consider these hardships, we can only marvel at the great scholars those days produced. Along with limited educational opportunities, many faced physical disabilities, blindness, deformity, poor health, hunger, and cold. When we consider these hardships alongside the abundance of opportunities we have today, we may feel ashamed. We are generously provided with help and encouragement for study and self-development, yet we make so little use of them.

Self-improvement implies one essential feeling: the desire for improvement. If the desire exists, then improvement is usually accomplished only by the conquest of self—the material self, which seeks pleasure and amusement. The novel, the game of cards, the billiard cue, idle whittling and story-telling will have to be eschewed, and every available moment of leisure turned to account. For all who seek self-improvement "there is a lion in the way," the lion of self-indulgence, and it is only by the conquest of this enemy that progress is assured.

Self-improvement requires one essential feeling: the desire to improve. If that desire exists, improvement usually comes only by conquering the material self, which seeks pleasure and amusement. Novels, card games, billiards, idle whittling, and storytelling must be set aside. Every available moment of leisure must be put to good use. For all who seek self-improvement, "there is a lion in the way." That lion is self-indulgence, and only by conquering this enemy can progress be assured.

Show me how a youth spends his evenings, his odd bits of time, and I will forecast his future. Does he look upon this leisure as precious, rich in possibilities, as containing golden material for his future life structure? Or does he look upon it as an opportunity for self-indulgence, for a light, flippant good time?

Show me how a young person spends his evenings and spare moments, and I will predict his future. Does he see this free time as precious and full of possibilities? Does he see it as valuable material for building his future life? Or does he see it as a chance to indulge himself and have some light, carefree fun?

The way he spends his leisure will give the keynote of his life, will tell whether he is dead in earnest, or whether he looks upon it as a huge joke.

How he spends his free time will set the tone for his life. It will show whether he is completely serious or sees life as a huge joke.

He may not be conscious of the terrible effects, the gradual deterioration of character which comes from a frivolous wasting of his evenings and half-holidays, but the character is being undermined just the same.

He may not realize that wasting his evenings and half-days off on trivial pursuits has terrible effects. His character gradually deteriorates. But whether he realizes it or not, his character is being undermined.

Young men are often surprised to find themselves dropping behind their competitors, but if they will examine themselves, they will find that they have stopped growing, because they have ceased their effort to keep abreast of the times, to be widely read, to enrich life with self-culture.

Young men are often surprised to find themselves falling behind their competitors. But if they examine themselves, they will find that they have stopped growing. They have stopped trying to keep up with the times, read widely, and enrich their lives through self-education.

It is the right use of spare moments in reading and study which qualify men for leadership. And in many historic cases the "spare" moments utilized for study were not spare in the sense of being the spare time of leisure. They were rather spared moments, moments spared from sleep, from meal times, from recreation.

Using spare moments to read and study prepares men for leadership. In many historic cases, the "spare" moments used for study were not leisure time. They were spared moments, taken from sleep, meals, and recreation.

Where is the boy to-day who has less chance to rise in the world than Elihu Burritt, apprenticed at sixteen to a blacksmith, in whose shop he had to work at the forge all the daylight, and often by candle-light? Yet he managed, by studying with a book before him at his meals, carrying it in his pocket that he might utilize every spare moment, and studying nights and holidays, to pick up an excellent education in the odds and ends of time which most boys throw away. While the rich boy and the idler were yawning and stretching and getting their eyes open, young Burritt had seized the opportunity and improved it.

What boy today has less chance to get ahead than Elihu Burritt had? At sixteen, he became an apprentice to a blacksmith. He had to work at the forge all day, and often by candlelight. Yet he managed to gain an excellent education in the scraps of time most boys waste. He studied with a book open before him at meals and carried it in his pocket to use every spare moment. He also studied at night and on holidays. While the rich boy and the idler were yawning, stretching, and waking up, young Burritt had seized the opportunity and made the most of it.

He had a thirst for knowledge and a desire for self-improvement, which overcame every obstacle in his pathway. A wealthy gentleman offered to pay his expenses at Harvard. But no, Elihu said he could get his education himself, even though he had to work twelve or fourteen hours a day at the forge. Here was a determined boy. He snatched every spare moment at the anvil and forge as if it were gold. He believed, with Gladstone, that thrift of time would repay him in after years with usury, and that waste of it would make him dwindle. Think of a boy working nearly all the daylight in a blacksmith shop, and yet finding time to study seven languages in a single year.

His thirst for knowledge and desire to improve himself helped him overcome every obstacle in his path. A wealthy gentleman offered to pay his expenses at Harvard. But Elihu refused. He said he could get an education on his own, even if he had to work twelve or fourteen hours a day at the forge. What a determined boy he was! He seized every spare moment at the anvil and forge as if it were gold. Like Gladstone, he believed that using time wisely would pay him back many times over in later years. He also believed that wasting time would make him diminish. Imagine a boy working nearly every daylight hour in a blacksmith shop, yet finding time to study seven languages in a single year.

It is not lack of ability that holds men down but lack of industry. In many cases the employee has a better brain, a better mental capacity than his employer. But he does not improve his faculties. He dulls his mind by cigarette smoking. He spends his money at the pool table, theater, or dance, and as he grows old, and the harness of perpetual service galls him, he grumbles at his lack of luck, his limited opportunity.

It is not a lack of ability that holds men back, but a lack of hard work. In many cases, an employee has a better mind and greater mental ability than his employer. But he does not develop his abilities. He dulls his mind by smoking cigarettes. He spends his money on pool, theater, or dancing. As he grows old, the burden of working for others all his life wears on him. He complains about his bad luck and limited opportunities.

The number of perpetual clerks is constantly being recruited by those who did not think it worth while as boys to learn to write a good hand or to master the fundamental branches of knowledge requisite in a business career. The ignorance common among young men and young women, in factories, stores, and offices, everywhere, in fact, in this land of opportunity, where youth should be well educated, is a pitiable thing in American life. On every hand we see men and women of ability occupying inferior positions because they did not think it worth while in youth to develop their powers and to concentrate their attention on the acquisition of sufficient knowledge.

The ranks of people who remain clerks are constantly growing. They include those who, as boys, did not think it worth learning to write neatly. Nor did they think it worth mastering the basic subjects needed for a business career. Many young men and women in factories, stores, offices, and everywhere else lack basic knowledge. This ignorance is a sad feature of American life. It is especially sad in this land of opportunity, where young people should be well educated. Everywhere we see capable men and women in low-level positions. That is because, in their youth, they did not think it worth developing their abilities and concentrating on gaining enough knowledge.

Thousands of men and women find themselves held back, handicapped for life because of the seeming trifles which they did not think it worth while to pay attention to in their early days.

Thousands of men and women are held back for life by seemingly small things. They did not think these things were worth paying attention to when they were young.

Many a girl of good natural ability spends her most productive years as a cheap clerk, or in a mediocre position because she never thought it worth while to develop her mental faculties or to take advantage of opportunities within reach to fit herself for a superior position. Thousands of girls unexpectedly thrown on their own resources have been held down all their lives because of neglected tasks in youth, which at the time were dismissed with a careless "I don't think it worth while." They did not think it would pay to go to the bottom of any study at school, to learn to keep accounts accurately, or fit themselves to do anything in such a way as to be able to make a living by it. They expected to marry, and never prepared for being dependent on themselves,—a contingency against which marriage, in many instances, is no safeguard.

Many girls with natural ability spend their most productive years as low-paid clerks or in mediocre positions. They never thought it worthwhile to develop their minds or use the opportunities available to prepare for better positions. Thousands of girls suddenly forced to support themselves have been held back all their lives by tasks they neglected in their youth. At the time, they dismissed those tasks with a careless "I don't think it's worth it." They did not think it would pay to study any subject thoroughly at school or learn to keep accurate accounts. Nor did they think it would pay to prepare themselves to do anything well enough to earn a living. They expected to marry and never prepared to support themselves. Yet in many cases, marriage offers no protection against having to do so.

The trouble with most youths is that they are not willing to fling the whole weight of their being into their location. They want short hours, little work and a lot of play. They think more of leisure and pleasure than of discipline and training in their great life specialty.

The trouble with most young people is that they are unwilling to put their whole being into their work. They want short hours, little work, and lots of play. They think more about leisure and pleasure than about discipline and training in their chosen field.

Many a clerk envies his employer and wishes that he could go into business for himself, be an employer too but it is too much work to make the effort to rise above a clerkship. He likes to take life easy; and he wonders idly whether, after all, it is worth while to strain and strive and struggle and study to prepare oneself for the sake of getting up a little higher and making a little more money.

Many clerks envy their employers and wish they could go into business for themselves and become employers too. But they think it is too much work to rise above a clerk’s job. They like to take life easy. They wonder idly whether it is really worth all the effort and study to rise a little higher and earn a little more money.

The trouble with a great many people is that they are not willing to make present sacrifices for future gain. They prefer to have a good time as they go along, rather than spend time in self-improvement. They have a sort of vague wish to do something great, but few have that intensity of longing which impels them to make the sacrifice of the present for the future. Few are willing to work underground for years laying a foundation for the life monument. They yearn for greatness, but their yearning is not the kind which is willing to pay any price in endeavor or make any sacrifice for its object.

The trouble with many people is that they are unwilling to make sacrifices now for future gain. They would rather enjoy themselves along the way than spend time improving themselves. They have a vague wish to do something great. But few long for greatness enough to sacrifice the present for the future. Few are willing to work underground for years, laying the foundation for their life’s monument. They yearn for greatness, but not enough to make every effort or sacrifice needed to achieve it.

So the majority slide along in mediocrity all their lives. They have ability for something higher up, but they have not the energy and determination to prepare for it. They do not care to make necessary effort. They prefer to take life easier and lower down rather than to struggle for something higher. They do not play the game for all they are worth.

So most people drift through life in mediocrity. They have the ability to achieve more, but lack the energy and determination to prepare for it. They do not want to make the necessary effort. They prefer an easier life at a lower level to struggling for something higher. They do not give the game everything they have.

If a man or woman has but the disposition for self-improvement and advancement he will find opportunity to rise or "what he can not find create." Here is an example from the everyday life going on around us and in which we are all taking part.

If a man or woman wants to improve and advance, they will find opportunities to rise or "create what they cannot find." Here is an example from the everyday life happening around us, in which we all take part.

A young Irishman who had reached the age of nineteen or twenty without learning to read or write, and who left home because of the intemperance that prevailed there, learned to read a little by studying billboards, and eventually got a position as steward aboard a man-of-war. He chose that occupation and got leave to serve at the captain's table because of a great desire to learn. He kept a little tablet in his coat-pocket, and whenever he heard a new word wrote it down. One day an officer saw him writing and immediately suspected him of being a spy. When he and the other officers learned what the tablet was used for, the young man was given more opportunities to learn, and these led in time to promotion, until, finally, the sometime steward won a prominent position in the navy. Success as a naval officer prepared the way for success in other fields.

A young Irishman had reached nineteen or twenty without learning to read or write. He left home because of the heavy drinking there. By studying billboards, he learned to read a little. Eventually, he got a job as a steward aboard a warship. He chose that work and obtained permission to serve at the captain's table because he greatly wanted to learn. He kept a small notebook in his coat pocket. Whenever he heard a new word, he wrote it down. One day, an officer saw him writing and immediately suspected him of being a spy. But when he and the other officers learned what the notebook was for, they gave the young man more opportunities to learn. In time, these opportunities led to promotions, until the former steward finally won a prominent position in the navy. His success as a naval officer prepared the way for success in other fields.

Self-help has accomplished about all the great things of the world. How many young men falter, faint, and dally with their purpose, because they have no capital to start with, and wait and wait for some good luck to give them a lift! But success is the child of drudgery and perseverance. It can not be coaxed or bribed; pay the price and it is yours.

Self-reliance has accomplished almost all the great things in the world. How many young men lose heart, give up, or put off their goals because they have no money to start? They wait and wait for good luck to give them a boost! But success comes from hard work and perseverance. It cannot be persuaded or bought. Pay the price, and success is yours.

One of the sad things about the neglected opportunities for self-improvement is that it puts people of great natural ability at a disadvantage among those who are their mental inferiors.

One sad result of missing opportunities to improve yourself is that highly talented people can end up at a disadvantage among those with less mental ability.

I know a member of one of our city legislatures, a splendid fellow, immensely popular, who has a great, generous heart and broad sympathies, but who can not open his mouth without so murdering the English language that it is really painful to listen to him.

I know a member of one of our city legislatures who is a splendid fellow and immensely popular. He has a big, generous heart and broad sympathies. But whenever he opens his mouth, he mangles the English language so badly that it is painful to listen to him.

There are a great many similar examples in Washington of men who have been elected to important positions because of their great natural ability and fine characters, but who are constantly mortified and embarrassed by their ignorance and lack of early training.

There are many similar examples in Washington. Men have been elected to important positions because of their great natural ability and fine character. But they are constantly embarrassed and ashamed by their ignorance and lack of early training.

One of the most humiliating experiences that can ever come to a human being is to be conscious of possessing more than ordinary ability, and yet be tied to an inferior position because of lack of early and intelligent training commensurate with his ability. To be conscious that one has ability to realize eighty or ninety per cent of his possibilities, if he had only had the proper education and training, but because of this lack to be unable to bring out more than twenty-five per cent of it on account of ignorance, is humiliating and embarrassing. In other words, to go through life conscious that you are making a botch of your capabilities just because of lack of training, is a most depressing thing.

One of the most humiliating experiences is to know you have more than ordinary ability but remain stuck in an inferior position. This happens because you lacked early, intelligent training suited to your ability. You may know that proper education and training would have let you reach 80 or 90 percent of your potential. But without them, ignorance keeps you from reaching more than 25 percent. That is humiliating and embarrassing. In other words, it is deeply depressing to go through life knowing you are wasting your abilities simply for lack of training.

Nothing else outside of sin causes more sorrow than that which comes from not having prepared for the highest career possible to one. There are no bitterer regrets than those which come from being obliged to let opportunities pass by for which one never prepared himself.

Apart from sin, nothing causes more sorrow than failing to prepare for the best career you could have had. No regrets are more bitter than those that come from having to pass up opportunities you never prepared for.

I know a pitiable case of a born naturalist whose ambition was so suppressed, and whose education so neglected in youth, that later when he came to know more about natural history than almost any man of his day, he could not write a grammatical sentence, and could never make his ideas live in words, perpetuate them in books, because of his ignorance of even the rudiments of an education. His early vocabulary was so narrow and pinched, and his knowledge of his language so limited that he always seemed to be painfully struggling for words to express his thought.

I know of a tragic case of a born naturalist whose ambition was suppressed and whose education was neglected in childhood. Later, he came to know more about natural history than almost anyone of his day. Yet he could not write a grammatical sentence. Because he lacked even the basics of an education, he could never bring his ideas to life in words or preserve them in books. His early vocabulary was so small and his knowledge of the language so limited that he always seemed to struggle painfully to find words for his thoughts.

Think of the suffering of this splendid man, who was conscious of possessing colossal scientific knowledge, and yet was absolutely unable to express himself grammatically!

Think of how this remarkable man suffered. He knew he had vast scientific knowledge, but he could not express himself grammatically!

How often stenographers are mortified by the use of some unfamiliar word or term, or quotation, because of the shallowness of their preparation!

How often stenographers are embarrassed by an unfamiliar word, term, or quotation because their preparation has been inadequate!

It is not enough to be able to take dictation when ordinary letters are given, not enough to do the ordinary routine of office work. The ambitious stenographer must be prepared for the unusual demand, must have good reserves of knowledge to draw from in case of emergency.

It is not enough to take dictation for ordinary letters or handle routine office work. An ambitious stenographer must be ready for unusual demands and have a broad store of knowledge to draw on in an emergency.

But, if she is constantly slipping up upon her grammar, or is all at sea the moment she steps out of her ordinary routine, her employer knows that her preparation is shallow, that her education is very limited, and her prospects will be limited also.

But if she constantly makes grammatical mistakes or is lost the moment she steps outside her usual routine, her employer knows she is poorly prepared and has a very limited education. Her prospects will be limited too.

A young lady writes me that she is so handicapped by the lack of an early education that she fairly dreads to write a letter to anyone of education or culture for fear of making ignorant mistakes in grammar and spelling. Her letter indicates that she has a great deal of natural ability. Yet she is much limited and always placed at a disadvantage because of this lack of an early education. It is difficult to conceive of a greater misfortune than always to be embarrassed and handicapped just because of the neglect of those early years.

A young woman writes to me that her lack of an early education holds her back. She dreads writing to anyone who is educated or cultured, fearing she will make ignorant mistakes in grammar and spelling. Her letter shows that she has a great deal of natural ability. Yet her lack of an early education limits her and always puts her at a disadvantage. It is hard to imagine a greater misfortune than always being embarrassed and held back because of neglect during those early years.

I am often pained by letters from people, especially young people, which indicate that the writers have a great deal of natural ability, that they have splendid minds, but a large part of their ability is covered up, rendered ineffectual by their ignorance.

I am often pained by letters from people, especially young people, who show great natural ability and splendid minds. But their ignorance hides much of their ability and keeps them from using it effectively.

Many of these letters show that the writers are like diamonds in the rough, with only here and there a little facet ground off, just enough to let in the light and reveal the great hidden wealth within.

Many of these letters show that their writers are like diamonds in the rough. Only a few small facets have been polished, just enough to let in light and reveal the great hidden wealth within.

I always feel sorry for these people who have passed the school age and who will probably go through life with splendid minds handicapped by their ignorance which, even late in life, they might largely or entirely overcome.

I always feel sorry for people who are past school age and will probably go through life with their splendid minds held back by ignorance. Even late in life, they could largely or entirely overcome that ignorance.

It is such a pity that, a young man, for instance, who has the natural ability which would make him a leader among men, must, for the lack of a little training, a little preparation, work for somebody else, perhaps with but half of his ability but with a better preparation, more education.

It is such a pity when a young man has the natural ability to be a leader among men, but must work for someone else because he lacks a little training and preparation. His employer may have only half his ability, but has better preparation and more education.

Everywhere we see clerks, mechanics, employees in all walks of life, who cannot rise to anything like positions which correspond with their natural ability, because they have not had the education. They are ignorant. They can not write a decent letter. They murder the English language, and hence their superb ability cannot be demonstrated, and remains in mediocrity.

Everywhere we see clerks, mechanics, and employees in all walks of life who cannot reach positions that match their natural ability. This is because they lack an education. They are ignorant. They cannot write a decent letter. They butcher the English language. As a result, they cannot demonstrate their superb ability, and it remains stuck in mediocrity.

The parable of the talents illustrates and enforces one of nature's sternest laws: "To him that hath shall be given; from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath." Scientists call this law the survival of the fittest. The fittest are those who use what they have, who gain strength by struggle, and who survive by self-development by control of their hostile or helpful environment.

The parable of the talents illustrates and reinforces one of nature’s harshest laws: "Those who have will be given more. Those who have nothing will lose even what they have." Scientists call this law the survival of the fittest. The fittest are those who use what they have and grow stronger through struggle. They survive by developing themselves and controlling their environment, whether it is hostile or helpful.

The soil, the sunshine, the atmosphere are very liberal with the material for the growth of the plant or the tree, but the plant must use all it gets, it must work it up into flowers, into fruit, into leaf or fiber or something or the supply will cease. In other words, the soil will not send any more building material up the sap than is used for growth, and the faster this material is used the more rapid the growth, the more abundantly the material will come.

The soil, sunshine, and air generously supply the materials a plant or tree needs to grow. But the plant must use all it gets, turning it into flowers, fruit, leaves, fibers, or something else. Otherwise, the supply will stop. In other words, the soil sends up through the sap only as much building material as the plant uses for growth. The faster the plant uses this material, the faster it grows and the more abundantly the material comes.

The same law holds good everywhere. Nature is liberal with us if we utilize what she gives us, but if we stop using it, if we do not transform what she gives us into power, if we do not do some building somewhere, if we do not transform the material which she gives us into force and utilize that force, we not only find the supply cut off, but we find that we are growing weaker, less efficient.

The same law applies everywhere. Nature gives generously when we use what she gives us. But if we stop using it, the supply is cut off. If we do not turn her gifts into power, build something, or turn her materials into force and use it, the supply is cut off. We also find ourselves growing weaker and less effective.

Everything in nature is on the move, either one way or the other. It is either going up or down. It is either advancing or retrograding; we cannot hold without using.

Everything in nature is moving one way or the other. It is either going up or down. It is either moving forward or backward. We cannot keep what we do not use.

Nature withdraws muscle or brain if we do not use them. She withdraws skill the moment we stop drilling efficiently, the moment we stop using our power. The force is withdrawn when we cease exercising it.

Nature takes away muscle or brainpower if we do not use them. She takes away skill as soon as we stop practicing effectively, as soon as we stop using our power. Our strength fades when we stop exercising it.

A college graduate is often surprised years after he leaves the college to find that about all he has to show for his education is his diploma. The power, the efficiency which he gained there has been lost because he has not been using them. He thought at the time that everything was still fresh in his mind after his examination that this knowledge would remain with him, but it has been slipping away from him every minute since he stopped using it, and only that has remained and increased which he has used; the rest has evaporated. A great many college graduates ten years afterwards find that they have but very little left to show for their four years' course, because they have not utilized their knowledge. They have become weaklings without knowing it. They constantly say to themselves, "I have a college education, I must have some ability, I must amount to something in the world." But the college diploma has no more power to hold the knowledge you have gained in college than a piece of tissue paper over a gas jet can hold the gas in the pipe.

A college graduate is often surprised, years after leaving college, to find that almost all he has to show for his education is his diploma. He has lost the ability and efficiency he gained there because he has not used them. After his exams, everything was still fresh in his mind, and he thought the knowledge would stay with him. But it has slipped away every minute since he stopped using it. Only the knowledge he used has stayed with him and grown. The rest has evaporated. Many college graduates find, ten years later, that they have very little left to show for their four years of study. They have not put their knowledge to use. They have become weak without knowing it. They keep telling themselves, "I have a college education, so I must have some ability. I must amount to something in the world." But a college diploma has no more power to hold the knowledge you gained in college than a piece of tissue paper placed over a gas jet can hold the gas in the pipe.

Everything which you do not use is constantly slipping away from you. Use it or lose it. The secret of power is use. Ability will not remain with us, force will evaporate the moment we cease to do something with it.

Everything you do not use is constantly slipping away from you. Use it or lose it. The secret of power is using it. Ability will not stay with us, and strength will disappear the moment we stop using it.

The tools for self-improvement are at your hand, use them. If the ax is dull the more strength must be put forth. If your opportunities are limited you must use more energy, put forth more effort. Progress may seem slow at first, but perseverance assures success. "Line upon line, and precept upon precept" is the rule of mental upbuilding and "In due time ye shall reap if ye faint not."

The tools for self-improvement are at hand. Use them. If the ax is dull, you must use more strength. If your opportunities are limited, you must use more energy and make more effort. Progress may seem slow at first, but perseverance assures success. "Line upon line, and lesson upon lesson" is the rule for building your mind. And "in due time you will reap if you do not give up."