—Mary Lyon.
Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal. The winner is he who gives himself to his work, body and soul.
—Charles Buxton.
“The smelter bends above his pot of silver
Watching its restless heavings to and fro,
’Till ready for the careful coiner,
His face reflected, the fused metal show.”
It is monotony which eats the heart out of joy, destroys the buoyancy of the spirit, and turns hope to ashes; it is monotony which saps the vitality of the emotions; depletes the energy of the will, and finally turns the miracle of daily existence into dreary commonplace. And monotony has its roots, not in our conditions, but in ourselves.
—Hamilton Wright Mabie.
Begin, therefore, with little things. Is it a little oil spilt or a little wine stolen? Say to yourself, this is the price paid for peace and tranquillity; and nothing is to be had for nothing. And when you call your servant, consider that it is possible he may not come at your call, or, if he does, that he may not do what you wish. But it is not at all desirable for him, and very undesirable for you, that it should be in his power to cause you any disturbance.