The spirit of self-help is the root of all genuine growth in the individual.

The spirit of self-help is the root of all genuine growth in the individual.

Samuel Smiles

There are many counterfeits of character, but the genuine article is difficult to be mistaken.

There are many counterfeits of character, but the genuine article is difficult to be mistaken.

Men whose acts are at variance with their words command no respect, and what they say has but little weight.

Men whose acts are at variance with their words command no respect, and what they say has but little weight.

It is the close observation of little things which is the secret of success in business, in art, in science, and in every pursuit of life.

It is the close observation of little things which is the secret of success in business, in art, in science, and in every pursuit of life.

Character is itself a fortune.

Character is itself a fortune.

No laws, however stringent, can make the idle industrious, the thriftless provident, or the drunken sober.

No laws, however stringent, can make the idle industrious, the thriftless provident, or the drunken sober.

For want of self-restraint many men are engaged all their lives in fighting with difficulties of their own making.

For want of self-restraint many men are engaged all their lives in fighting with difficulties of their own making.

A fig-tree looking on a fig-tree becometh fruitful,

A fig-tree looking on a fig-tree becometh fruitful," says the Arabian proverb. And so it is with children; their first great instructor is example.

The best school of discipline is home. Family life is God's own method of training the young, and homes are very much as women make them.

The best school of discipline is home. Family life is God's own method of training the young, and homes are very much as women make them.

Help from without is often enfeebling in its effects, but help from within invariably invigorates.

Help from without is often enfeebling in its effects, but help from within invariably invigorates.

Good character is property. It is the noblest of all possessions.

Good character is property. It is the noblest of all possessions.

The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

Politeness goes far, yet costs nothing.

Politeness goes far, yet costs nothing.

Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.

Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. But all play and no work makes him something worse.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. But all play and no work makes him something worse.

Life will always be to a large extent what we ourselves make it.

Life will always be to a large extent what we ourselves make it.

Where there is a will there is a way.

Where there is a will there is a way.

The reason why so little is done, is generally because so little is attempted.

The reason why so little is done, is generally because so little is attempted.

We never played China, India or Africa. We also haven't played Russia enough. I would love to play those places.

We never played China, India or Africa. We also haven't played Russia enough. I would love to play those places.