ursued by bad luck,' or, 'This is my usual bad
luck,' you know that he is lazy, quarrelsome, unreliable, foolish, or a
drunkard.

You may be unlucky at piquet a whole evening--even, though seldom, a
whole week; but if you go on playing a whole year every day, you will
find that, out of 365 games, you have won about 180 and lost about 180.
I take it for granted, of course, that you are as good a player as your
opponent.

There is no more constant luck or constant bad luck in life than there
is at cards, but there is such a thing as good playing with either a
good or bad hand, and in life such a thing as making the best of
fortunate and unfortunate occurrences. A man is bound to have his
chance, and his 'luck' consists in knowing how to avail himself of it.

Practically every officer has had a chance to distinguish himself one
way or the other, and therefore to be noticed by his chiefs and obtain
promotion. Every artist has seen something which may reveal his talent,
his genius, if he has any. Every good actor is bound to come across a
part which may make his fortune.

The same may be said of literary men and journalists. Every man in
business, if he keeps a sharp look-out, has a chance for a good
investment that will be the nucleus of his fortune if he knows how to
watch and nurse it carefully. What most men call bad luck is not that
chance does not present itself to them, but simply that they let it go
by and miss it.

If you want to be lucky in life, force luck and make it yourself.
Believe in yourself, and others will believe in you.

Rise early, be punctual, reliable, honest, economical, industrious, and
persevering, and, take my word for it, you will be lucky--more lucky
than you have any idea of.

Never admit that you have failed, that you have been beaten; if you are
down, get up again and fight on. Frequent good company, be sober,
constantly take advice, and refrain from giving any until you have been
asked for it. Be cheerful, amiable, and obliging. Do not show anxiety to
be paid for any good turn you may have the chance of doing to others.
When you have discovered who your real friends are, be true to them,
stick to them through thick and thin.

Do not waste time regretting what is lost, but prepare yourself for the
next deal. Forget injuries at once; never air your grievances; keep your
own secrets as well as other people's; get determined to succeed, and
let no one, no consideration whatever, divert