SUCCESS

SUCCESS

BY

RALPH

WALDO

EMERSON

So/ton

and

New

York

Houghton

Mifflin Company
1912

Copyright,

1870,

by

Ralph

Waldo

Emerson

Copyright

2883,

1898,

and

1904,

by

Edward

W.

Emerson

All

rights

reserved

INTRODUCTION

SUCCESS,
of

and

the

varying
often In
' '

ards stand-

success,

seem

to

have

occupied
1858,
at

Emerson's he lectured and the

mind.

ber, Decem' '

upon

Success March Place of

Hartford,
his

following
the
' '

opened

course

at

Freeman The Law

Chapel,

Boston,
These

with lectures the

cess." Sucdoubt

without in which Solitude Dr.

are

essentially
the

same

substance first

as

present
in

essay, and

was

printed Long
Emerson

Society

in

187O.

before,

however,
out

as

Edward
to

points
Edition
notion

in of

the

notes

the

Centenary
the

Emerson's
is

ings, writ-

that

success

thing some-

subjective
"

and,
the
sum

so

to

speak,
many
mind

dental, acciures, failand

often had

of his

"

come

into

INTRODUCTION

clung
course

there of the his

autumn

in
own

connection life. of and

1

with

the

In

833,
was

when

he
at

had the
as

left the
age

ministry, thirty
lance,"
"Charles's
me
an

facing
future
wrote

of

uncertain Emerson nai'f

to

"free

in

his last

diary,

censure

night provoked apparently

my entire

show
to

him

fact that
posed com-

entirely new
success,

him,
it

"

such of

as

is, is

wholly
every

particular failures,
of mine of the least out witha

public

work

importance

having
noted

been, probably
at

exception,
I
...

the Mrs.
a

time

as

ure. fail-

will
motto

take

Barbauld's

line

for

my

[of

brook]
move

"

And

the

more

falls I

get,

faster

on."

But reference
4 '

it is

not

for

its

autobiographic
essay for
on

that
' '

Emerson's been chosen

Success

has

separ-

vi

INTRODUCTION

ate

publication
Press Editions

in

the

series been

of

side Riverselected How of the

It has
.

rather almost the

for of
terse

its the

peculiar
minute

timeliness. is the
accent

Concordian

wisdom
:

in

essay's opening

paragraph

"

Our slowness

American
in

people

cannot

be taxed in

with their

performance
The earth

or

praising by youth
of

performance.
engineries.
nerve

is

shaken

our

We

are

feeling
have and the

our

and tory terri-

and and

bone.

We

power the
use

of seacoast,
our

know read

of these.

We

count

census,

we

our

growing
which comes be-

valuations,
old

we

survey
a

our

map,
two.

in

year the

or

Our

eyes

run

approvingly along
and the Pole.

lengthened
have

lines of railroad
nearest to

telegraph.
We We
at

We

gone the

have

discovered

Antarctic and South

continent.

interfere Canton and

in Central in

America,

Japan;

we

are

adding

to

an

already

enormous

territory. Our

vii

INTRODUCTION

political constitution
world,
feats. and
we

is

the

hope
on

of

the

value

ourselves

all these

We in
1

are

no

slower in

now

than

we

were

870,

either of it; has and lines

performance
the earth and the

or

in the

praising

shaking
not

by
we

our

engineries
territories The
are

ceased,
in

have

seacoasts

des. antipo-

of railroad We

and have but

an

telegraph
not

still

lengthening.
to

only

gone

nearest

the

Pole,
the

can Ameriof the

explorer,
press and has constitution the
our

amid

plaudits
of

the stood

contestation upon
not

itors, compet-

it. be

Our
now

political
so

may

mously unaniWe feel

nerve

hope

of the

world
.
"

youth
bone. these

less, perhaps,
Yet still and the
we

our

and
on

value of

ourselves

feats and

symbols
Emersonian and

objective
maxims
more

success,

have

pertinence deeper
viii

far-

INTRODUCTION

reaching
audiences

than in

they
1858,

could
or

have

had in

for

readers Emerson's

187O.

Many
have the
even

writers

since

time
talent

exalted scale of

sensibilityover
powers, Pater
"

in
not

but
so

no

one

"

Walter
not
a

persuasively.
of lies in limited Like

Yet the the

to

little of

the

attractiveness of
no success

Emersonian fact the

true

view it is

that

by

means

intangible
New say

achievements.
or

all
we

Englanders,
like all true valued
can

perhaps

might

Transcendthat
see,
success

entalists, Emerson
which he that
as

the

neighbors
more
"

though
more
"

valued

enormously
which succeeded. from

respect for ourselves

says, if
we

comes,

he

have

It is

this wise and

self-respect springing

"quiet
exalts ingly convinc-

perception
expounds
in the

'

'

that

Emerson and

both

subtly
pages

following
ix

Who
.

can

INTRODUCTION

say and

that

in

the

scramble

of

business

big
sational conver-

little,

tri-partite
science

politics,
that is

culture,
education that
' '

applied,
a ligion re-

is

vocational,
dividends
' '

and

that

pays

there

is

no

room

for

"the

tranquil,
which,

well-founded,
as

far-seeing
' c

soul"

Emerson

says,

is

no

express-rider,
' '

no

attorney,
lies in

no

magistrate
and broods

which
;

the

sun

on

the

world."

F.

G.

OCTOBER

11,

1912.

One

thing

is

for

ever

good;

'That
one

thing

is

Success
"

Dear

to

the

Eumenidesy

And

to

all

the

heavenly

brood.

Who

bides

at

home,

looks
nor

abroad.

Carries

the

eagles

and

masters

the

sword.

But

if

thou

do

thy

best,

Without

remission,

without

rest.

And

invite

the

sunbeam,

And

abhor

to

feign

or

seem

Even

to

those

who

thee

should

love

And

thy

behavior

approve;

If

thou go

in

thine
own

likeness,

Be

it

health
or

be

it

sickness
;

If

thou go
as

thy

father

son,

If

thou
wear

mask
no
or

lie,

Dealing

purely

and

nakedly;
"

SUCCESS

OUR
be

American

people
with slowness

cannot

taxed

in

performance performance. by
our

or

in

praising
earth

their

The

is shaken

engineries.

We

are

ing feel-

our

youth
the

and

nerve

and

bone.

We

have

power and

of

territory
the
use

and

of

seacoast,

know

of

these.

We

count

our

census,

we

read

our

growing
our

valuations,
which
becomes

we

survey
old
in

map,

year

or

two.

Our

eyes

run

approvingly
lines of

along
railroad

the

lengthened telegraph.

and

SUCCESS

We

have

gone

nearest

to

the

Pole.

We

have

discovered We

the

Antarctic in Central
at

continent. and
and

interfere

South
in

America,
;
we are

Canton

Japan
enormous

adding

to

an

already
political
of

territory.
is the

Our

constitution and

hope
selves our-

the

world,
on

we

value

all these
of

feats.

'T

is the

way

the
and

world of made

't is

the

law

of

youth,
Men

ing unfoldeach

strength.
with
some

are

triumphant

superiority,
adaptation
or

which,

through
or ear or

some

of

fingers
or

eye
musical

ciphering
or

or pugilistic

literary
with

craft, enriches

the

community

SUCCESS

new

art;
men

and

not

only

we,

but

all

of

European

stock, value
Giotto Erwin

these
draw
a

certificates.

could
of

perfect
could

circle:
build
a

Steinbach

minster;
could
run

Olaf, king of
round his

Norway,
on

galley
of in

the

blades when

of

the

oars

the

rowers

the could
jected pro-

ship
run

was

motion;
on a

Ojeda
plank
of
a

out

swiftly
from

the

top

tower,

turn

round

swiftly and
from

come

back
nini, "Ber-

Evelyn
the

writes

Rome:

Florentine
and

tect, sculptor, archi-

painter
my

poet, Rome,
he
3

little before gave

a

coming
opera,

to

lic pubthe

wherein

painted

SUCCESS

scenes,

cut

the

statues,

invented

the
writ

engines, composed
the

the

music,
the

comedy

and

built

theatre."
"

There
"

is

nothing

in war/'
do

said

Napoleon,
my
to
own

which

I cannot

by

hands.

If there I

is

nobody
facture manu-

make

gunpowder,
it.

can

The
to

gun-carriages
construct.

know necessary

how
to

If

it is

make

cannons

at

the
tails de-

forge,
of is

can

make

them. them
in

The

working
to

battle, if it
teach
it is I

necessary
In

teach, I shall

them. alone

administration,
have you

who
as

arranged
know/'

the

nances, fi-

SUCCESS

It is recorded

of

Linnaeus,

among

many
that

proofs
when of

of his beneficent timber

in

skill,

the Sweden

the
ruined

yards shipby
the
He

was

rot,

Linnaeus

was

desired

by

government
studied the and
in

to

find

remedy.
infested

insects found the

that

the
laid

timber,
their

that

they
within he

eggs

logs
and

tain cer-

days
that the
water

in

April,
ten

directed

during logs
in

days
be

at

that

season

should the

immersed which found

under

docks;
was

being
to

done,

the

timber

be

uninjured.
Columbus
at

Veragua
but

found

plenty

of

gold;
5

leaving

the

SUCCESS

coast,
and

the

ship

full of

one

hundred
some

fifty skilful
them old

seamen,

"

of

pilots,

and

with craft wise

too

much

experience
to

of their the
"

and

treachery
kept
homeward

him,

miral adof his he and

his

private
And told

record

path.
Spain he
that
"

when the

reached

King
ask

Queen

they

may
him

all the
is and

pilots who

came

with

where

Veragua.
say lies.
other
to

Let

them

answer

if

they

know
that

where

Veragua
can

I assert
account

they
that

give
went

no

than there
but
to

they
an

lands

where
of

was

dance abundo

gold,
way

they
return

not

know

the

thither,

SUCCESS

but

would
of had
is

be

obliged
as

to

go

on

voyage

discovery
been of

much

as

if

they
There

never

there

before. he

mode

reckoning,"
from and safe it." knew

proudly

adds,
which

"derived is

tronomy, as-

sure

to

any

one

who

understands in Greece

Hippocrates
how
to

stay the

devouring
Athens

plague
time,
Dr.

which
and

ravaged
his

in his

skill

died
in

with

him.

Benjamin
carried that

Rush,

Philadelphia,

city heroicallythrough
fever carried of the

the

yellow

year

1793-

Leverrier

the

Copernican
and knew

system
where
to

in

his

head,
for

look

the

new

planet.

SUCCESS

We

have
write

seen

an

American of

man wo-

novel

which

million

copies
and

were

sold,
had

in all languages,

which
to

one

merit,

of and

speaking
was

the

universal

heart,
interest in the in

read

with

equal

to

three

audiences,
in of the

namely,
and
We

parlor,
nursery
seen

kitchen,
house. could

the

every
who
and

have

women

institute
in

hospitals
We

schools

armies.

have song

seen

woman

who the souls

is

by
of

pure

could

melt And
.

whole limit

populations
to

there
of be

no

these

varieties
arts to

talent. thankful

These

are

for,

each
"

one

as

it

is

new

SUCCESS

direction
cannot

of

human but
is

power.

We

choose civilization

respect
made of
up

them. of kind.

Our

million
For it
do

contributions
to

this

success, test

be

sure

we

esteem

in

other

people,
We

since

we

first in ourselves.
more

respect
have
ceeded. suc-

ourselves

if

we

Neither
to

do

we

grudge
the
accrues

each
or

of

these

benefactors

praise
from

the

profit which

his

industry.
are

Here

already quite
merit

different
amples. ex-

degrees

of moral
I don't

in these

know

but
set

we

and

our

race

elsewhere

higher
coarse

value

on

wealth,

victory and
9

SUCCESS

superiority
men,

of all

kinds, than

other

have
"

less less
is

tranquillity of
contented. his fancy in-

mind,
The

are

easily

Saxon

taught
to

from

to

wish
was

be
a

first.

The

Norseman

restless The him

rider,
ancient flicted af-

fighter,
Norse

freebooter. describe

ballads with

as

this

inextinguishable
The mother says

thirst of
to

victory.
:
"

her
Success Success Success In

son

"

shall in in

be

in

thy

courser

tall,
of

thyself, which thy hand,

with
success

is best in in

all,

thy foot,
with

struggle
brute

man,

battle

"

The
Shall

holy
never

God shut

and

Saint

Drothin

dear

eyes

on

thy

career

Look

out,

look

out, Svend
1O

Vonved

!"

SUCCESS

These

feats much
arts

that
as

we

extol say. very local

do

not

signify so
boasted

we

These
recent

are

of

origin. They
but
stature.

are

iences, conven-

do

not

really
greatest

add

to

our

The have

men

of
to

the
want

world

managed
was a

not

them. without

Newton

great
gas,

man,

telegraph,
or

or

or

steam-coach,

rubber

shoes,
ether for and

or

lucifer-matches,

or

his

pain

so

was

Shakspeare
and

Alfred These how

world
arts

and

Scipio
local

Socrates. but

are

conveniences,
now

easy

to

go

to

parts of the
all these

where
are

not

only
but

wanting,
11

where

they

SUCCESS

are

despised.
most

The

Arabian

sheiks,
in

the

dignified people
do
not want

the

planet,
have
as

them

yet
the
to

much and

self-respect
are

as

English,
impress
American

easily

able
or

the who

Frenchman
visits
to

the with
and

them brave

the

respect
man.

due

sufficient These difference them

But

feats of

have

to

be
and

sure

great
of kind.

merit,
power

some

involve the

of

high

public
the

values
inventor

the

invention

more

than

does. is much

The
more

inventor
and better

knows where
sees

there

this
in it

came

from.

The

public

lucrative

12

SUCCESS

secret.

Men

see

the

reward

which

the
'How and

inventor

enjoys, and
we

they think,
Cause

shall effect
are

win

that?'

little tedious

how

to

leap

to

the
?

result
We

by
are

short
not

or

by

false

means

lous. scrupu-

What

we

ask

is

out victory,with;

regard
Rob

to

the

cause

after

the

Roy
to

rule, after
the
the

the

Napoleon to-day,
"

rule,
the

be of

strongest

way

Talley rands,
whose watches

dent pru-

people,
faster than detect
and

go
and

their
the

neighbors',
moment

who

first

of decline
on

throw the

themselves

the

instant heard

on

winning
Nelson
13

side. used

I have

that

to

say,

SUCCESS

' "

Never

mind

the

justice
me

or

the

impudence,
Lord

only

let

succeed." of

Brougham's
is,
"to

single duty
get
the
'tis

counsel clear."
of

prisoner
a

Fuller

says
"a

maxim

lawyers
cleareth

that

crown

once

worn

all
"

defects Rien And

of

the

wearer

thereof.
que
are

ne

r'eussit icans Amer-

mieux

le

succes.

we

tainted

with

this and

insanity,
our

as

our

bankruptcies politics may

less reckare

show.

We

great

by exclusion,
Our it
success

grasping
takes

and

egotism.
all

from 'Tis

what

gives

to

one.

haggard, malignant,
for

careworn

ning run-

luck.
14

SUCCESS

Egotism
that

is

kind

of

buckram
and

gives momentary
to

strength
and
seems

concentration be
in

men,

to

much which
is

used

in Nature and

for

fabrics

local

spasmodic
I could

ergy en-

required.

point

to

men

in this

country,
to

of

ble indispensa-

importance
of American

the

carrying
this

on

life, of
could
ill be

humor,
any
one

whom
of But will

we

spare;
a

them
it
not

would

national

loss.

spoils

conversation.

They
with you.
pered pam-

try conclusions
ever

They

are

thrusting this
you
a

self between
It is

and

them.
tion educa-

plain they
to

have
to

long

undergo

reach

simplicity

15

SUCCESS

and

plain-dealing,which
man

are

what
in his

wise

mainly
Nature
to

cares

for

companion.
convert

knows
Nature

how

to

evil

good

izes util-

misers,

fanatics,

show-men,
her
ends
;

egotists, to
but
we

accomplish
not

must

think The is

better

of

the
for

foible
sudden

for

that.

passion
rude and and

success

puerile, just
executions
are

as

war,

cannons

used

to

clear

the

ground

of bad,

lumpish,
but

able irreclaimto

savages,

always

the

damage
I hate which
to

of

the

conquerors. Americanism

this shallow
to

hopes

get rich

by credit,
on

get knowledge
16

by

raps

mid-

SUCCESS

night tables,
of the mind

to

learn

the

economy
or

by phrenology,
or

skill

without

study,

mastery
the
sale that

without of

apprenticeship,

or

goods

through pretending
or

they sell,
believe

power
are

through making
powerful,
or or

you

through
bribery
and

packed jury

caucus,

"repeating"
fraud.

votes, think

or

wealth

by
got

They they
a

they
got
which

have

it, but

have

something
calls
for

else,

crime

"

another behind

crime,
that
;

and

another
are

devil
to

these
and

steps

cide, sui-

infamy,
mankind. other
in
We

the

harming

of

countenance

each

this

life of
17

show,

puffing,

SUCCESS

advertisement

and and

manufacture excellence for

of
is den sud-

public opinion
lost

sight of

in the

hunger
and

performance
There
was
a

praise.
man,
an

wise

ian Italwho

artist, Michel
writes

Angelo,

thus
the

of

himself:

while "Mean-

Cardinal
best
I

Ippolito, hopes
were

in

whom

all

my

placed, being dead,

that

began

to

derstand un-

the the

promises
most

of

this vain in

world

are

for and

part
to

phantoms,
one's

that
become

confide

self, and
and

something
best I and

of worth safest

value, is the
Now,
sure

course."

though
the

am

by

no

means

that
18

reader

SUCCESS

will

assent

to

all

my

propositions,
agree
"

yet
first shall

I think rule

we

shall

in

my
we

for

success,

that
and

drop

the
and

brag
take
"

the

tisement, adverAnin one's

Michel confide

gelo's course,
self,
and
and

to

be

something

of

worth

value/' Each
man

has
Do

an

aptitude
work.
Nature
to

born

with
to

him.
this

your

I have

say

often, but
'T

says
insist

it oftener.

is clownish one's

on

doing
if

all with
man

own

hands,
build his

as

every

should

own

clumsy house, forge

and

his hammer, but

can

bake
to

his do

dough
he

he
do

is to

dare

what
19

SUCCESS

best;
direct

not

help

others

as

they
knows
do

would his

him,
power

but
to

as

he
To

helpful

be.

wise othertraordinary ex-

is to

neutralize

all those talents

Yet
to

special
among self-truth
of the and
to
men.

uted distrib-

whilst the the

this

is essential world of
and

tion exhibi-

to

growth
rare

glory
find
a

each
who

mind,
believes

it is

man

his

own

thought
he
was

or

who

speaks
to

that
As

which

created

say. much

nothing
common

astonishes
sense

men

so

as

and

plain dealing, so nothing

in

is of

more

rare

any

man

than

an

act

his

own.

Any
him,

work

looks
that

derful won-

to

except
20

which

he

SUCCESS

can

do.

We

do

not

believe
serve

our

own

thought;
we

we

must

somebody;
we

must

quote
old
and

somebody;
the distant

dote

on

the

; we

are

tickled the

by great

names

; we

import
;
we

religion of
their
The in
new

other

nations
cite

quote
laws.
courts

opinions
gravest

; we

their

and

learnedest shudder
to

this

country
and for

face

question,
and

will
a case

wait
to

months
occur

years
can

that

be

tortured

into

precedent,
bolder

and

thus
onus

throw
of
an

on

party
Thus
we

the
do

tive. initia-

not

carry
do
not

sel coun-

in

our

breasts,
we

or

know off

it; and

because

cannot

shake

21

SUCCESS

from and born

our

shoes the

this dust world

of

Europe
to

Asia,

seems

be

old, 'society is
man

under

spell,
and
a

every

is

borrower and

mimic,
a

life is theatrical

ture literathat
furrow can Ameri-

quotation;
of
to

and

hence

depression
of
care,

spirits,that
mark every

said

brow.

Self-trust
success,

is the

first that

secret

of

the the

belief

if

you

are

here

authorities

of the for cause,

universe

put you
some

here,

and

or

with
in

task

strictly appointed
and
so

you

your you

constitution,
work
at

long
well

as

that
It

you
no

are

and

successful.

by

means

consists

22

SUCCESS

in

rushing prematurely
that

to

showy
and if So

feat

shall

catch

the
It is

eye

satisfy spectators.
you
work
in the

enough

right direction. being

the

far from

the

performance
it is clear that

the

real

success,

cess suc-

was

much
when

earlier all

than feats

that,
that

namely,
make
of
our

the
the fame

were civility

thoughts
of
to

good

heads.

The

each
the

discovery rightly
mind

attaches

that

made

the

formula
and

which
not to

contains the their

all the

details,
who

manufacturers

now

make the
mob

gain by it; although

cheers
the

uniformly
not

publisher,

and

the

inventor.

It is the

dulness

23

SUCCESS

of

the the

multitude
house in
in

that the the

they

cannot

see

ground-plan
model of the

the

working,

projector.

Whilst
a new

it is

thought,
a new

though
food,
or

it

were

fuel, or
of

the

creation
it is

agriculture,
;

it is cried

down,
a

chimera
comes

but

when

it is of

fact, and
per
per

in the
ten

shape
cent,
"It is
a

eight

cent, cent, God/

per

hundred the voice

they

cry,

of

Horatio said
to to

Greenough
of Robert

the

sculptor
visit
at

me

Fulton's knocked
with
and

Paris door of

"Fulton

the
and

Napoleon
;

steam,

was

jected re-

Napoleon
know
24

lived he had

long
ex-

enough

to

that

SUCCESS

eluded own."

greater

power

than

his

Is there
and

no

loving of knowledge,
and of
our

of

art,

design, please
our

for

itself alone with

? Cannot

we

selves our-

performing
truth
and

work,
out with-

or

gaining

power,
I

being praised
point, I gain
my which The
time work.

for it?

gain

my

all

points, if I can
with him any
his
own

reach

companion
teaches
sum

statement

worth.
the
to

of

wisdom

is, that
is devoted

is

never

lost that

The

good
that
is it

workman

never

says,
'

'There,
that

will

do';

but,
come

There,

try it, and

again, it will

last

always.'
25

If the

art-

SUCCESS

ist, in whatever
on

art, is well it

at

work

his he

own

design,
not

little signifies
orders that
content
or

that

does I

yet

find

customers.

pronounce

young
with he

man

happy

who

is

having acquired
had
when aimed the at,

the

skill waits
of

which

and

willingly
making knowing
The
it

occasion shall it will

appreciated
well
time

arrive,
not

that

loiter.
in

your
his work the

rival
for

spends

dressing

up

effect, hastily,and
you

for
and

market,

spend
towards

in

study
real
has

experiments
and

knowledge thereby
or won

efficiency. He
picture
or or

sold the

his

machine,
the
ap-

prize,
26

got

SUCCESS

pointment;

but

you

have

raised of

yourself
art, and
a

into few of

higher
will

school

hours the

show

the

advantage
the short

real

master

over

popularity
it is this of
a

of

the

man. show-

I know

nice

point

to

discriminate is the
and

self-trust, which
all from

pledge

mental the the

"

vigor
disease

performance,
which it is
of

to

allied,
part
are

geration exagwe can

the

which
two

play;
But

"

yet

they

things.
that,
a over

it is

sanity to
or

know
and

my
times

talent
better

knack,
than any

million

talent, is the
nates subordiand

central

which intelligence and

uses

all talents

it is

27

SUCCESS

only
talent
is of
into

as

door

into

this, that
it

any

or

the

knowledge
He

gives

value.
this

only

who

comes

central

intelligence,in
or

which
can

no

egotism
be,
comes

tion exaggera-

into

session. self-pos-

My

next

point
it is not

is that

in the scale but

of powers

talent
best:

ibility sens-

which
but

is

talent life puts

fines, con-

the
to

central

us

in

relation
the chief

all. How

often
be

it

seems

good
temper
tone

to

born

with

cheerful
to

and

well human

adjusted
race.

the
a

of

the

Such

man

feels
conscious
28

himself

in

mony, har-

and

by

his recep-

SUCCESS

tivity of
Alfred,
him

an

infinite

strength.

Like

"good
like
and
a

fortune

ies accompan-

gift of
be the
not

God/' daunted of

Feel

yourself,

by
man

things.
that
runs

'Tis

fulness
into
and

over

objects,

and

makes
and reader

his
Homers

Bibles
so

Shakspeares
The

great.
of his

joyful
ideas
to

borrows

own

fill their
not

faulty outline,
he
is borrows
and

and

knows

that There

gives.
of

something
We

poverty
that all

in

our

criticism. few

assume

there
rest
are

are

great
;

men,

the
one

little
but

that

there

is but

Homer, Newton,

one

Shakspeare,
Socrates. But

one

one

the

29

SUCCESS

soul

in

her

beaming
these
know

hour

does

not

acknowledge
We

usurpations.
how
to

should

praise
John,
In

Socrates,
without

or

Plato,

or

Saint

impoverishing
we

us.

good

hours
or

do

not

find

Shakspeare

Homer

over-great,
of the

only

to

have
sent, pre-

been

translators
and

happy
and
woman

every

man

divine reader

'T possibilities.

is the

good
book
;

that
head

makes
cannot

the

good
read

good
every

amiss,
passages
or

in

book
seem

he

finds

which
hidden

confidences
all

asides takably unmis-

from
meant

else
his

and

for

ear.

The

light by
30

which

we

see

in

SUCCESS

this of

world the

comes

out

from

the

soul

observer.

Wherever

any
made

noble
faces

sentiment and the houses

dwelt, it
around of this and the

the shine.
brain

to

Nay,
are

powers

busy

miraculous
are

illimitable.
and

Therein

rules the whole

ulas form-

by
of
matter

which

empire
is
no

is worked. art,

There

prosperity, trade,
material you
rooted
trace

city,or
kind,
will
some

great
but

wealth
it

of

any you
of

if it

home,

find

in

thought

vidual indi-

man.

Is

all life
but
to

surface

affair?
of

'T

is

curious,
appears

our

difference

wit of

be

only
31

difference

SUCCESS

impressionability, or
faint, fainter
faintest voices and

power and

to

preciate ap-

infinitely
When has
and

visions.

the

scholar

or

the
for

writer

pumped
verses,

his brain
and

thoughts

then
has

comes

abroad found hinted in

in

into

Nature,
there
is
a

he

never

that
in
a

better
of

poetry
a

boy's piping

whistle
of
a

tune,

or

the

sparrow,
?

than
We

all his health. the

literary results
What
of
is
so

call it
as

admirable

health

youth?

with
"

his

long days
good,
him loves
and

because

his

eyes

are

brisk
in

circulations
rooms,

keep
and

warm

cold

he
im-

books

that

speak
32

to

the

SUCCESS

agination ;
covered
in
to

and

he chin

can

read

Plato,
a

his

with

cloak

cold should after

upper

chamber,
the

though

he
ever

associate

Dialogues
smell. natural
crowded

with
bane of

woollen life that

'T

is the

effects
out, and

are

continually
artificial
We

arrangements
when

substituted. in and

remember

early youth
the heavens any

the

earth

spoke
;

glowed

when

an

evening, wintry,
for air.

evening,
and
snow,

grim
was

and

sleet
us;

enough
in

the
it

houses
costs
a

were

the

Now of

rare

combination
to

clouds the
33
common

and

lights
and

overcome

SUCCESS

mean.

What

is

it

we

look
and

for

in

the

landscape,
in

in sunsets
sea

rises, sun-

the

and

the

ment? firma-

what
for

but

compensation pettiness
We mind of

the

cramp

and

human
in

performances?

bask finds
In

the

day,
as

and

the
as

somewhat
Nature Remember

great

itself.

all is

large

massive

repose.
a

what
for the woods. into
to

befalls

city boy
into

who

goes

first time
He is

the

October initiated

suddenly glory
him the

pomp pass He

and for

that
dreams

brings
of

romance.

is the

king
walks

he

dreamed
tents

he
of

was

he

through

gold, through

34

SUCCESS

bowers

of

crimson,
on

porphyry
pavilion,
and

and

topaz,

pavilion
with with

landed garbeams, sun-

vines, flowers
incense
and

music,
ished aston-

with

so

many
;

hints the

to

his

senses

leaves

twinkle
and

and

pique
and

and

flatter
are

him,

his

eye what

step

tempted
to

on

by

hazy

distances

happier
he

solitudes.
owes

All
to

this his

happiness

only
owner

finer

perception.
finds
trees,
to
come

The

of

the
of

wood-lot discolored

only
and down

number
"

says,
;

They
are

ought
n't

they they
before

growing
be
cut

any
and

better;
corded

should

spring/
35

SUCCESS

Wordsworth
of

writes

of

the

lights de-

the

boy
come

in

Nature

"

"

For

never

will
in

back grass,

the of

hour
in

Of

splendor
flower."

the

glory

the

But

I have

just
what

seen

man,

well

knowing
told
for
me

he

spoke
was

of, who
not true

that

the

verse

him;
grew
was

that

his

eyes
and

opened
that

as

he

older,
more

every
to

spring
than
We

beautiful

him

the

last. live among

Does

gods
that has

of

our

own

creation.

deep-

toned

bell, which
a

shortened
der ren-

many
to

night

of

ill nerves,
but acoustic

you

nothing
36

vi-

SUCCESS

brations

Is the

old

church

which
of

gave

you

the

first lessons the

gious relior

life,or
the the

village school,
you first knew
and

college
dreams

where
of

fancy
boards

joys
brick
in

of

thought, only
mortar?

or

and

Is

the

house
or

which
in

you which

were

born,

the

house

your
a

dearest of

friend
estate

lived,
whose

only
value

piece

real

is covered You

by
walk
animation

the
on

Hartford

insurance? and

the

beach

enjoy
Scoop

the
up

of the
water

ture. pic-

little

in the

hollow handful
are

of of

your shore

palm,
sand;

take

up

well, these
is

the

elements.
37

What

the

SUCCESS

beach the
ocean

but

acres

of cubic

sand

what of

is

but

miles
or

ter? wa-

little

more

less

signifies
brute
not

nothing. No,
matter

it is of

that

this

is

part

somewhat
sand

brute.

It is that

the

floor
and

is

held
to

by spheral gravity,
a

bent

be

part
the

of

the

round

globe,
part
of and and

under

optical sky,

"

the

astonishing astronomy,
at

existing
from

last
causes.

to

moral

ends

moral world
of

The the eye

is

not

made

up

to

figures, that

is,

only
How

half; it is also made

that with element
its

of color.

washes

the
waves

universe ! The

enchanting
38

SUCCESS

sculptor
behold
a

had
new

ended

his of

work,

and

world
is the

dream-like
of Nature

glory.
;

'T

last stroke she

cannot

beyond
manner,

color

go.
up, of love ment senti-

In
not

like of

life

is made

knowledge
If

only, but
is

also.

thought

form,
the

is color.

It clothes

eton skeland

world

with hues
so

space, of

variety
sunset

glow.
life

The

make make side fireing fill-

great;

the
of

affections

some

little web

cottage

and and

populous, important,
the The
main space in
our

history.
in is
to
our

fundamental
constitution of

fact

metaphysic

the the

correspondence
39

man

SUCCESS

world,
writes mind

so

that
record

every
in

change
the
mind.

in that

The
to

yields sympathetically
or

the

tendencies

law

which make the

stream

through things and

of of

the

order

Nature;
this

and

in

perfection
or

correspondence
the health
If
we

siveness, expresforce of

and follow

man

consist.

this hint
we

into

our

intellectual that
new

education,
not

shall

find
not

it is

tions, proposiand
a

dogmas
of

ical logthat

exposition
are our

the

world
to

first

need;
cherish

but

watch

and

tenderly
and

the

ual intellect-

moral
of

sensibilities, those

fountains

right thought,
40

and

SUCCESS

woo

them with
us we

to

stay and
Whilst
not

make

their
abide

home

us.

they
think
outruns

with
Our

shall

amiss.

perception
We

far

our

talent. the
of

bring
lessons
of
to

welcome

to

highest
poetry
our

of

religionand
yond bether, fur-

out

all

proportion
And,
and and
to

skill

teach.

the
of

great
men

hearing
more

pathy symwise be.

is

true

than
A

their

speaking

is wont

deep
for

sympathy
any chief
man

is what of the

we

quire re-

student

mind;

for

the
and

difference
is
a

between

man

difference
or

of impressionabi Bacon maxim

Aristotle Kant

or

propound
41

some

SUCCESS

which

is the

key-note
But

of
I

phy philosoam more

thenceforward.
interested
to

know

that

when
out

at

last

they

have
it is

hurled

their
iliar famin

grand word,

only

some

experience
the
be
street.

of

every
not,

man

If it be of

it will

never

heard Ah
! if

again.
could live
in and

one

keep
the

this

ibility, sens-

and

happy
the

ficing suf-

present,
and its

find

day

cheap
ask

means

contenting,
you,
kering can-

which
and
no

only

receptivity in
exertion and

strained

ambition,
to

overstimulating
of

be

at

the
of

head

your

class
to

and

the

head

society, and
42

have

SUCCESS

distinction

and

laurels
are

and

sumption con-

! We
to

not

strong
but is

by by
larged en-

our

power

penetrate,
The
not

our

relatedness.
for
us,

world
new

by

objects,
and

but

by finding
in

more

affinities
we

potencies
This

those

have.
in

sensibility appears
to

the the

homage
faculties which the soul
a

beauty

which
in

exalts the
exert

of

youth;
and

power upon

form

color
see

when

we

eyes human the

that

are

compliment
that

to

the

race,

features ian

explain

Phidsaid about I

sculpture.
are

Fontenelle

"There which

three

things

I have

curiosity, though
43

SUCCESS

know

nothing
and

of

them,
The
are

"

music,
tors doc-

poetry

love/'

great
the

of this science

greatest
Michel The
wise

men,

"

Dante,
and

Petrarch,

Angelo
Socrates certain

Shakspeare.
this
matter

treats

with

archness,

yet

with
"I
am

very
ways,'' althat
thing no-

marked

expressions.
he says,

"asserting
I

happen
but
matters

to

know,
a mere

may

say,

trifle

relating to
that
be

of

love
I

yet
claim
one

in
to

kind
more

of

learning
than

lay
any

skilled

man

of

the may

pastor
well

present

time/'

They

speak
of their

in this

uncertain and

ner man-

knowledge,
44

in this

SUCCESS

confident
for

manner

of of

their
to

will,
tect, de-

the
so

secret

it is hard and

deep

it is ;

yet genius
in

is

measured

by

its

skill

this

science.

Who
or

is he

in

youth
in

or

in

turity ma-

even

old

age,

who
ibilities sens-

does

not

like which

to

hear
turn

of those

curled
and send

heads
derful won-

round

at

church,

eye-beams
from in
one

across

blies, assem-

to

one,

never

ing miss-

the
statist

thickest reckons the

crowd?

The
and

keen

by

tens

hundreds
in into

genial man
slipper
that

is interested

every

comes

the

assembly.
45

The

passion,

SUCCESS

alike the the

in

everywhere,
snows

creeps

under under swims Lofn Norse

is

of of

Scandinavia,
equator,
and

fires the
seas

the
of

Polynesia.
divinity in
in the in Latin

as

puissant
as

the
red

Edda of

Camadeva Eros

vault
or

India,
in is it is

the

Greek,
And

Cupid
what that

the

heaven.
of
extreme

specially true
a

love

is

state

of the

pressionabi im-

lover

has than
are

more

senses

and

finer eye
and reads

senses

ers; othgraphs tele-

his

ear

he
and

omens

on

the

flower, form,
them

cloud, gesture,
In 46

and

face, and
and reads
at

and

aright.

his

surprise

SUCCESS

the

sudden

and

entire

ing understand-

that beloved that

is

between it

him
occurs

and
to

the
him
meet

person,

they might
of

somehow
time and

independently
How

place.
that
tions, precauand
lays, de-

delicious elude

the all

belief

he

could

guards,
means

ceremonies,
and

hold

instant

and In

ternal sempisolitude,

communication! in and tried.

to

banishment,
the The his say he

the

hope returned,
was

experiment

eagerly
seem

supernal
part.
What

powers
was

take

on

his

lips to
When wonderful

is uttered
went

by

his friend. he
met,
one

abroad,

by
per-

casualties, the
47

SUCCESS

son

he

sought.
to

If

in

his

walk

he

chanced
was

look

back,

his

friend And it

walking happened
drawn of
not

behind that
in future

him. the

has
often face

artist

has the he

his

pictures
whom

the

wife

had

yet
also

seen.

But

in

complacencies
as

wise no-

so

strict

this

of

the

sion, pas-

the
it
a

man

of

counts sensibility to

delight only
fully
the

hear
to

child's

voice
to

addressed

him,

or

see

beautiful
of

manners

of

the the

youth
event

either
and

sex.

When how
pared com-

is past

remote,

insignificant
with

the

greatest

the

piquancy
48

of

the

SUCCESS

present

To-day
the

at

the

school

amination ex-

professor
in

gates interro-

Sylvina
about Odoacer can't

the
and

history class
Alaric.
but

vina Syl-

remember,
was

suggests
and
*

that the he
'tis of

Odoacer

defeated;

professor tartly replies, No,

defeated

the
to

Romans/
visitor
at

But

plain

the

that

'tis acer Odo-

no

importance
and 't is about
a

all about deal

of

great

portance im-

Sylvina, and why

if she

says
better

he
a

was

defeated,
deal

he

had
feated de-

great

have her
if
a

been moment's

than annoy.

give

Odoacer,
the

there

was

particle of

gentleman
49

in

him,

SUCCESS

would

have
a

said, Let
times.

me

be

feated de-

thousand
as our

And and

tenderness

for
and

youth
just
ifold man-

beauty gives
to

new

importance
claims,

their
so

fresh like

and

the
to

sensibility

gives
has
in

welcome
and

all excellence,
it mer-

eyes
corners.

for hospitality An

Englishman
and

of

marked had
or

character with

talent, who
hither
a one

brought
two

him
and

friends assured of

library

of

mystics,
and

me

that

nobody
interest

nothing
left
in

possible
"

was

England,
was

he alive

had away.
next

brought
I
was

all that
to

forced

reply: "No,
50

SUCCESS

door side

to

you the

probably,
partition
a

on

the
the

other

of

in

same

house,
you

was

greater

man

than

any has could

a

had

seen/'

Every

man

history
tell him.

worth
if

knowing,
we

if he

it, or

could
and Send and

draw

it from

Character

wit

have

their

own

magnetism.
any
town,
man

deep
find

man

into

he

will

other an-

deep
hitherto
the add
to

there,

unknown

his

neighbors.
of

That

is
to

great
to
our

happiness

life,

"

high
law of

acquaintances.
averages that there

The
have be in

very
assured

might
will
ten

you hundred heads.

every

heads,
Morals

say

or

five

good

are

SUCCESS

generated
'T
but is
a

as

the the
of

atmosphere genesis
of

is.

secret,

either;
age cour-

the
do

springs
not

justice and
more

fail any

than

salt

or

sulphur
The

springs.
is

world
are

always

opulent,
but

the the

oracles
receiver

never

silent;

must

by

happy
to

temperance top
that
of

be

brought
frolic

that

condition, that
he these
is and
can

health,
and

easily
fine

take

give
Health

communications. condition of dom, wis-

the the

sign
and

is

cheerfulness,
temper.
who
had

"

an

open
was

noble

There
not

never

poet
the

the

heart

in
52

right place.

SUCCESS

The
wrote,

old

trouveur,

Pons

Capdueil,

"

Oft

have true,

heard,

and

deem

the

witness

Whom

man

delights in,

God

delights in

too."

All
a

beauty
of of

warms

the

heart,

is

sign

health, prosperity and

God.

the

favor and has

Everything lasting
the
Divine Power

fit for
marked

men

with what
and in

this stamp.

What
not

delights,
what
and
scars

emancipates, pains
and
at

us,

is

wise
arts.

good

speech
heart with
of
53

in the

For,
of

truly,the
universe

the

centre

the

every

throb into

hurls

the

flood

happiness

SUCCESS

every that
with of

artery,
the the whole
tides

vein

and

veinlet,
is inundated

so

system
of

joy.

The
is too

plenty
great
:

the

poorest

place
cannot

the

harvest
sound of

be in

gathered.
The

Every edge
with
One

ends

music. is

every

surface

tinged

prismatic
more

rays.
true
success.

trait of mind is

The

good

chooses

what

is

positive,what
the
is
one

advancing
Our 'T

"

braces em-

affirmative.
of

tem sysis presumed,

one

poverty.

as

I said, there
one

is but

Shakspeare,
"

Homer,
all
we are

one

sus, Jeshall

not

that
But
54

or

be

inspired.

must

begin

SUCCESS

by affirming. Truth
subsist forevermore. is evil but and

and

goodness
It is
true

there

good, night
not

and

day day

these

are

equal.
The

The

is

great
the

and

final.
but

night
is not mortal im-

is for for

day,

the

day
is

the

night.
demand

What
for

this

more,

which this
no

belongs
enormous

to

our

constitution?
?

ideal
and No

There
as

is

such

critic

beggar
historical
us.

this
person

terrible

Soul.
to

begins
the
satis-

content

We

know

factoriness of

of

justice, the
We

iency sufficthe
to
swer an-

truth. leaves the

know

that
We

nothing

ask.

know

Spirit by
55

its victor-

SUCCESS

ious

tone.

The every
and and

searching
new

tests

to

apply
amount

to

pretender
what
state
"

are

quality,
what
me

does of

he
mind

add?

is the in? but

he
is

leaves

Your

ory thenew

unimportant
you
can

what

stock

add

to

humanity,
carry
as

or

how
man

high
is
a

you
man

can

life ? A makes
us.

only

he
to

life and
I fear

nature

happier

the

popular
in direct

notion

of

cess suc-

stands

opposition
and adores

in

all

points
success.

to

the
One

real

some whole-

public
;

opinion,
one

the

other the

private opinion
desert;
one one

fame,

other

feats, the

other

humility ;
56

lu-

SUCCESS

ere,

the
and

other

love;
other

one

poly, mono-

the

hospitalityof

mind.

We

may
to

apply
to

this
manners,

affirmative
to

law
to

letters,
decorations do
not

art,

the
I

of

our

houses,
or

etc.

find

executions

tortures

or

lazar-houses,
of

or

grisly
on

photographs
day
after

the

field

the

the

battle, fit subjects for

I think

cabinet

pictures.
"sacred

that

some

so-called
be treated

subjects"
more

must

with
in

genius
masters

than ian Ital-

I have
or

seen

the

of be

Spanish
for does houses
not

art

to

right

pictures
Nature

and invite

churches.
such
ex-

57

SUCCESS

hibition.

Nature

lays
creature

the

ground-

plan

for

each fit
for it

accurately,
his
functions See
;

sternly
then how

all

veils

scrupulously.
she eye
not
covers

carefully
The shall her
of

up
not
see

the
it ;

skeleton. the
weaves sun

shall shine
and

on

it. She

tissues and

ments integuand

flesh

skin
of

hair

and

beautiful

colors
forces and

the
down

day
derground, un-

over

it, and

death
makes

haste
and

to

cover

it up

with

leaves

vines,
trace

and

wipes carefullyout
new

every
and

by
are

creation.

Who

what

you

that
bare

would
?

lay the ghastly

anatomy

58

SUCCESS

Don't

hang

dismal
not

picture
daub

on

the

wall, and
and

do

with

sables

glooms
be
a

in

your

sation. conver-

Don't

cynic
Don't

and

consolate dis-

preacher.
and bemoan. Omit Nerve

bewail

the
us

negative
with
waste

propositions.

cessant in-

affirmatives.

Don't

yourself
against beauty
is

in

rejection,
bad,
but

nor

bark the that

to

the
of

chant When

the which

good.
has
a

spoken

right
the

be

spoken,

the

chatter
Set

and

icism crit-

will that
"

stop.
not

down

nothing
;
"

will

help somebody
noble

For Is

every

gift of
upon

origin

breathed breath."

by

Hope's

perpetual

59

SUCCESS

The
is

affirmative
As much
As

of

affirmatives
so

love.

love,
caloric
so

much
matter,

perception.
so

to

is love

to

mind

it

enlarges,
will his
on

and

so

it empowers

it.

Good

makes way
a

insight, as
to

one

finds

the

sea

by embarking
seen
scores

river.

I have

of

ple peoI

who seek
one

can

silence shall make the

into

me,
me

but get for-

who
overcome

or

frigidities
I fall.

and

imbecilities

which
Vasari

The
us,
more

painter
renewed

Giotto,
art

tells he

because

put
To

goodness
in of
man

into and
to

his heads.
to

awake
sense

raise

the
his

worth,
60

educate

SUCCESS

feeling
shall

and

judgment
himself
is the for

so

that bad

he

scorn

tion, ac-

that
'T There innocent is

only
easy

aim.
to

cheap
is
not

and

destroy.
or an

joyful boy
with

girl buoyant
of

fine
street

purposes

duty,
and

in

all the

full of
a

eager
can

rosy
and

faces, but
dishearten

cynic
a

chill

with
comes

single word.

Despondency
to

readily enough
The

the

most

sanguine.
follow

cynic
hint
and

has

only

to

their

with

his check
and and

bitter

confirmation,
eager home

they
pace

that go
mature pre-

courageous
with heavier

step

age.

They
61

will

them-

SUCCESS

selves
hint

quickly
he
wants to

enough
the has cold
not

give

the

wretch. failed wished

to

Which

of

them

please
it ?
most
or

where blundered
ambitious

they
where
of

most

they
success?

were

or

found tedious

themselves
or

awkward
of and and

or

incapable
or

study, only

thought
hoped
to

heroism,
sense

by good
what

fidelity
and pass

do

they
And

could this

unblamed? makes with

satire

witty

factor maleless
and

their
and

little

hope

skepticism,
of
to

slackens

the
is

springs
easy
add
62 ;

endeavor.

Yes,
young

this

but

help

the

soul,

energy,

inspire

SUCCESS

hope
useful

and

blow
; to

the
redeem

coals

into

flame

defeat

by

new

thought, by
not

firm
is

action, that
the work
of

is

easy,
men.

that

divine We

live

on

different
is
an

planes
external
at

or

platforms.
life, which

There
is

educated

school,
and

taught
trade
;

to

read,
to

write,
grasp
to

cipher
all the

taught

boy

can

get, urging him

to

put

himself useful
to

forward,
and

make
in and

himself the

agreeable
run,

world,

ride,

argue

contend,

fold un-

his talents,
possess. But

shine, conquer

and

the

inner

life sits
63

at

home,

SUCCESS

and

does

not

learn
feats

to

do
at

things,
all.
It

nor

value

these
wise

'T

is

quiet,

perception.
it is

loves

truth, because
loves
but

itself

real; it
else
as

right,it
it makes in is

knows
no

nothing
was

progress; memory
same now

wise

our

first the

of in it

it

as

now;

just

turity ma-

and
in

hereafter
We

in

age,
to

was

youth.
and

have

grown
we

hood man-

womanhood;
connection,

have
putations, re-

powers,

children,
this

professions:
no

makes
in

account

of

them

all.

It lives

the

great

present;
This

it makes

the

present

great.

tranquil,wellsoul
is
no ex-

founded,

wide-seeing
64

SUCCESS

press-rider,
it lies

no

attorney,
in

no

istrate magbroods

the

sun

and

on

the

world.

person

of

this

temper
much

once

said

to

man

of

activity,
you
I do do

"

I will

pardon
and

you

that

so

much,

you

me

that

nothing."
"

And

Euripides

says
and

that

Zeus

hates

busybodies
much."

those

who

do

too

FIVE

HUNDRED

AND

FORTY

NUMBERED

COPIES

PRINTED

AT

THE

RIVERSIDE

PRESS

CAMBRIDGE,

MASS.,

IN

NOVEMBER,

1912

NO.