strength, and they are the weakest, however strong, who have no faith
in themselves or their powers."

"The ruin which overtakes so many merchants," said another, "is due,
not so much to their lack of business talent, as to their lack of
business nerve. How many lovable persons we see in trade, endowed with
brilliant capacities, but cursed with yielding dispositions--who are
resolute in no business habits and fixed in no business principles--who
are prone to follow the instincts of a weak good nature, against the
ominous hints of a clear intelligence; now obliging this friend by
indorsing an unsafe note, and then pleasing that neighbor by sharing
his risk in a hopeless speculation, and who, after all the capital they
have earned by their industry and sagacity has been sunk in benevolent
attempts to assist blundering or plundering incapacity, are doomed, in
their bankruptcy, to be the mark of bitter taunts from growling
creditors and insolent pity from a gossiping public."

Scattering one's forces has killed many a man's success. Withdrawal of
the best of yourself from the work to be done is sure to bring final
disaster. Every particle of a man's energy, intellect, courage, and
enthusiasm is needed to win success in one line. Draw off part of the
supply of any one or all of these, and there is danger that what is
left will not suffice. A little inattention to one's business at a
critical point is quite sufficient to cause shipwreck. The pilot who
pays attention to a pretty passenger is not likely to bring his ship to
port. Attractive side issues, great schemes, and flattering promises
of large rewards, too often lure the business or professional man from
the safe path in which he may plod on to sure success. Many a man
fails to become a great man, by splitting into several small ones,
choosing to be a tolerable Jack-at-all-trades, rather than to be an
unrivalled specialist.

Lack of thoroughness is another great cause of failure. The world is
overcrowded with men, young and old, who remain stationary, filling
minor positions, and drawing meager salaries, simply because they have
never thought it worth while to achieve mastery in the pursuits they
have chosen to follow.

Lack of education has caused many failures; if a man has success
qualities in him, he will not long lack such education as is absolutely
necessary to his success. He will walk fifty miles if necessary to
borrow a book, like Lincoln. He wi