LESSON V

"PRESS ON"

This is a speech, brief, but full of inspiration, and opening the way
to all victory. The secret of Napoleon's career was this,--under all
difficulties and discouragements, "Press on." It solves the problem of
all heroes; it is the rule by which to weigh rightly all wonderful
successes and triumphal marches to fortune and genius. It should be
the motto of all, old and young, high and low, fortunate and
unfortunate, so called.

"Press on." Never despair; never be discouraged, however stormy the
heavens, however dark the way; however great the difficulties, and
repeated the failures, "Press on."

If fortune hath played false with thee today, do thou play true for
thyself to-morrow. If thy riches have taken wings and left thee, do
not weep thy life away; but be up and doing, and retrieve the loss by
new energies and action. If an unfortunate bargain has deranged thy
business, do not fold thy arms, and give up all as lost; but stir
thyself and work the more vigorously.

If those whom thou hast trusted have betrayed thee, do not be
discouraged, do not idly weep, but "_Press on_." Find others: or, what
is better, learn to live within thyself. Let the foolishness of
yesterday make thee wise to-day.