I love to sit and read the prose of our forefathers and historians. One of my favorites is Elbert Hubbard, a friend to many and one of the most famous leaders of his time. He was the Dale Carnegie of his time. He was a Christian in the publishing business. I have a nice collection of his writings, the last of which was printed in 1923.
When I am seeking something to inspire me I simply read his written thoughts and put them to practice. Here are some of his thoughts from the late 1800s that are as relevant today as they were then.
–There are two kinds of discontent in this world. The discontent that works, and the discontent that wrings its hands. The first gets what it wants, and the second loses what it has. There's no cure for the first but success; and there's no cure at all for the second.
–Life is made up of sobs, sniffles and smiles with sniffles predominating.
–There are 12 things to remember in life:
l. The value of time.
2. The success of perseverance.
3. The pleasure of working.
4. The dignity of simplicity.
5. The worth of character.
6. The power of kindness.
7. The influence of example.
8. The obligation of duty.
9. The wisdom of economy.
10. The virtue of patience.
11. The improvement of talent.
12. The joy of originating.
That is a tidy dozen of great thoughts. Simple but insightful.
–Cooperation and not competition is the life of trade. The beginning of the win-win phrase.
–When love and skill work together expect a masterpiece.
–The cynic is one who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
–Snobbery is the pride of those who are not sure of their position.
–There are whole worlds of fact waiting to be discovered by inference.
–Laws are not made for the good.
–He is an eloquent man who can treat humble subjects with delicacy, lofty things impressively and moderate things temperately.
–Some people are so painfully good that they would rather be right that be pleasant.
My last one is perhaps the best definition of success.
–There is but one straight road to success, and that is merit. The man who is successful is the man who is useful. Capacity never lacks opportunity. It can not remain undiscovered, because it is sought by too many anxious to use it.
Hubbard loved the great philosophers and writers. In his writings he gives credit to the author, if possible. Many things are his own thoughts. Sharing this column with us today were, Bourke Cochran, Cicero, Socrates, Woodrow Wilson, Berton Braley, Oscar Wilde, John Ruskin, Marshall Field, O Henry, William Fitch, Gordon Graham and, of course, Hubbard.
When I am seeking something to inspire me I simply read his written thoughts and put them to practice. Here are some of his thoughts from the late 1800s that are as relevant today as they were then.
–There are two kinds of discontent in this world. The discontent that works, and the discontent that wrings its hands. The first gets what it wants, and the second loses what it has. There's no cure for the first but success; and there's no cure at all for the second.
–Life is made up of sobs, sniffles and smiles with sniffles predominating.
–There are 12 things to remember in life:
l. The value of time.
2. The success of perseverance.
3. The pleasure of working.
4. The dignity of simplicity.
5. The worth of character.
6. The power of kindness.
7. The influence of example.
8. The obligation of duty.
9. The wisdom of economy.
10. The virtue of patience.
11. The improvement of talent.
12. The joy of originating.
That is a tidy dozen of great thoughts. Simple but insightful.
–Cooperation and not competition is the life of trade. The beginning of the win-win phrase.
–When love and skill work together expect a masterpiece.
–The cynic is one who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
–Snobbery is the pride of those who are not sure of their position.
–There are whole worlds of fact waiting to be discovered by inference.
–Laws are not made for the good.
–He is an eloquent man who can treat humble subjects with delicacy, lofty things impressively and moderate things temperately.
–Some people are so painfully good that they would rather be right that be pleasant.
My last one is perhaps the best definition of success.
–There is but one straight road to success, and that is merit. The man who is successful is the man who is useful. Capacity never lacks opportunity. It can not remain undiscovered, because it is sought by too many anxious to use it.
Hubbard loved the great philosophers and writers. In his writings he gives credit to the author, if possible. Many things are his own thoughts. Sharing this column with us today were, Bourke Cochran, Cicero, Socrates, Woodrow Wilson, Berton Braley, Oscar Wilde, John Ruskin, Marshall Field, O Henry, William Fitch, Gordon Graham and, of course, Hubbard.