Keep Going

When a man is in the right path, he must persevere. I speak of this because there are some persons who are "born tired;" naturally lazy and possessing no self-reliance and no perseverance. But they can cultivate these qualities, as Davy Crockett said:

When a man is on the right path, he must keep going. I mention perseverance because some people are "born tired." They are naturally lazy and lack self-reliance and perseverance. But they can develop these qualities, as Davy Crockett said:

"This thing remember, when I am dead: Be sure you are right, then go ahead."

"Remember this when I am dead: Be sure you are right, then go ahead."

It is this go-aheaditiveness, this determination not to let the "horrors" or the "blues" take possession of you, so as to make you relax your energies in the struggle for independence, which you must cultivate.

You must cultivate go-aheaditiveness, the determination to keep moving forward. That means refusing to let the "horrors" or the "blues" weaken your efforts in the struggle for independence.

How many have almost reached the goal of their ambition, but, losing faith in themselves, have relaxed their energies, and the golden prize has been lost forever.

How many people have nearly reached their goal, only to lose faith in themselves and stop trying so hard. And so the golden prize was lost forever.

It is, no doubt, often true, as Shakespeare says:

What Shakespeare says is undoubtedly often true:

"There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune."

"There is a tide in people's lives. If you catch that tide at its highest, it leads to fortune."

If you hesitate, some bolder hand will stretch out before you and get the prize. Remember the proverb of Solomon: "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich."

If you hesitate, someone bolder will reach out before you and take the prize. Remember Solomon's proverb: "Lazy hands make a person poor, but hardworking hands make a person rich."

Perseverance is sometimes but another word for self-reliance. Many persons naturally look on the dark side of life, and borrow trouble. They are born so. Then they ask for advice, and they will be governed by one wind and blown by another, and cannot rely upon themselves. Until you can get so that you can rely upon yourself, you need not expect to succeed.

Perseverance is sometimes just another word for self-reliance. Many people naturally look on the dark side of life and worry about problems before they happen. They are born that way. Then they ask for advice and let one opinion steer them one way and another push them the opposite way. They cannot rely on themselves. Until you learn to rely on yourself, you cannot expect to succeed.

I have known men, personally, who have met with pecuniary reverses, and absolutely committed suicide, because they thought they could never overcome their misfortune. But I have known others who have met more serious financial difficulties, and have bridged them over by simple perseverance, aided by a firm belief that they were doing justly, and that Providence would "overcome evil with good." You will see this illustrated in any sphere of life.

I have personally known men who suffered financial setbacks and actually committed suicide because they thought they could never recover. But I have known others who faced more serious financial difficulties and overcame them simply by persevering. They were helped by a firm belief that they were acting justly and that Providence would "overcome evil with good." You will see examples of this in every area of life.

Take two generals; both understand military tactics, both educated at West Point, if you please, both equally gifted; yet one, having this principle of perseverance, and the other lacking it, the former will succeed in his profession, while the latter will fail. One may hear the cry, "the enemy are coming, and they have got cannon."

Take two generals. Both understand military tactics, both were educated at West Point, if you like, and both are equally gifted. Yet one has perseverance, and the other lacks it. The first will succeed in his profession, while the second will fail. One may hear the cry, "the enemy are coming, and they have cannons."

"Got cannon?" says the hesitating general.

"Do you have cannons?" the general asks hesitantly.

"Yes."

"Yes."

"Then halt every man."

"Then stop every man."

He wants time to reflect; his hesitation is his ruin; the enemy passes unmolested, or overwhelms him; while on the other hand, the general of pluck, perseverance and self-reliance, goes into battle with a will, and, amid the clash of arms, the booming of cannon, the shrieks of the wounded, and the moans of the dying, you will see this man persevering, going on, cutting and slashing his way through with unwavering determination, inspiring his soldiers to deeds of fortitude, valor, and triumph.

He wants time to think, but his hesitation ruins him. The enemy passes unchallenged or overwhelms him. By contrast, the general with courage, perseverance, and self-reliance goes into battle with determination. Weapons clash, cannons boom, the wounded shriek, and the dying moan. Amid it all, you will see the general pressing on, cutting and slashing his way through with unwavering determination. He inspires his soldiers to acts of endurance, courage, and triumph.