Every man may raise himself up by his own efforts, indeed, the man who uses another as his ladder will soon find himself leaning on a broken reed, and amount to very little in this world of struggle and competition.
Who knows better what a man can do than the man himself? There are always hidden sources of strength in every man, and he alone is able to bring them into use. Remember one point in this age of competition: Learn how to do things, and then set about doing them of your own accord. The man who waits to be pushed ahead seldom finds any pushers. This is the wisdom of experience, and will not bear argument, so true it is.
TRAIN YOURSELF FOR YOUR LIFE’S WORK
Physical Development—Exercise for Pleasure and Profit—Uniformity in the Use of the Muscles—General and Special Muscle Training—Systematic Hardening of the Body—Various Kinds of Exercises—Key to Good Health and Mental Activity
A Strong Healthy Man Is Always Selected for the Best Positions
In all ages of the world physical development has been regarded as a preparation for health and the successful beginning of a life work.
The ancients had a maxim to the effect that there should be a healthy mind in a healthy body, and that there could not be a healthy mind in an unhealthy body.
In these days when good health and a companion physical development are so much in demand, you must train yourself for your life work in such a way as to merit a selection for the best positions.
Here is the reason why a man is often turned aside from a position where he might be mentally qualified. One look at him explains the reason for his failure to be given the opportunity. He is not physically developed.
The times and the business undertaken by every man is strenuous. He must be prepared for hardships, and will never attain any good position if he carries that in his body or face which indicates inability to stand the strain or liability to succumb under it.
Nobody wants a man who will work along for a shorter or longer time and then break down and be obliged to quit altogether or for time enough to recuperate.
This physical training is now called “Athletics,” and it must be practiced advisedly and not at random. It is for the promotion of health and manly vigor, just as much as bathing is for the promotion of cleanliness and health.