that diligence, above all, is the mother of what is erroneously called
"good luck."

A French statesman, being asked how he contrived to accomplish so much
work, and at the same time attend to his social duties, replied, "I do
it simply by never postponing till to-morrow what should be done
to-day." It was said of an unsuccessful public man that he used to
reverse this process, his maxim being, "never to transact to-day what
could be postponed till to-morrow."

But bear in mind this: there may be success in life without success in
business. The merchant who failed, but who afterward recovered his
fortune, and then spent it in paying his creditors their demands in
full, principal and interest, thus leaving himself a poor man, had a
glorious success: while he who failed, paid his creditors ten cents
only on a dollar, and afterward rode in his carriage and occupied a
magnificent mansion, was sorrowfully looked on by angels and by honest
men as lamentably unsuccessful.

True success in life is success in building up a pure, honest,
energetic character--in so shaping our habits, our thoughts, and our
aspirations as to best qualify us for a higher life.




LESSON XXVIII

ABBREVIATIONS OF NAMES OF STATES