Elbert Hubbard

How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience would have achieved success.

The mintage of wisdom is to know that rest is rust, and that real life is love, laughter, and work.

Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal.

He has achieved success who has worked well, laughed often, and loved much.

Our finest flowers are often weeds transplanted.

Truth, in its struggles for recognition, passes through four distinct stages. First, we say it is damnable, dangerous, disorderly, and will surely disrupt society. Second, we declare it is heretical, infidelic and contrary to the Bible. Third, we say it is really a matter of no importance either one way or the other. Fourth, we aver that we have always upheld it and believed it.

When on the brink of complete discouragement, success is discerning that...the line between failure and success is so fine that often a single extra effort is all that is needed to bring victory out of defeat.

Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer to your goal.

Be yourself and think for yourself, and while your conclusions may not be infallible they will be nearer right than the inclusions forced upon you by those who have a personal interest in keeping you in ignorance.

Strong men can always afford to be gentle. Only the weak are intent on giving as good as they get.

This will never be a civilized country until we spend more money for books than we do for chewing gum.

The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.

Forbid a man to think for himself or to act for himself and you may add the joy of piracy and the zest of smuggling to his life.

The greatest mistake a person can make is to be afraid of making one.

The greatest mistake you can make in life is continually fearing that you'll make one.

Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit.

I believe in the hands that work, in the brains that think, and in the hearts that love...I believe in sunshine, fresh air, friendship, calm sleep, beautiful thoughts.

I would rather have a big burden and a strong back, than a weak back and a caddy to carry life's luggage.

If I supply you with a thought, you may remember it and you may not. But if I can make you think a thought for yourself, I have indeed added to your stature.

I wish to live without hate, whim, jealousy, envy, and fear. I wish to be simple, honest, frank, natural . . to face any obstacle and meet every difficulty unabashed and unafraid.

Constant effort and frequent mistakes are the stepping stones to genius.