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What Is Success?

Improvement Era, vol. 21, no. 12, October 1918, p. 1086

Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations

What is Success? In the very interesting Y. M. I. A. text book for the study of the Junior classes this year, "Lessons on Success" are presented in the general series on "The Development of Character." Here are four good sentiments on the subject that the class teacher as well as the general reader will enjoy. They are the expres- sions of four great teachers given the Improvment Era over their own signatures: Spiritual success comes from serving God in all things; being just, true and charitable to all men. Material success comes from industry, frugality and careful, wise saving and in- vesment out of every re- source, every day. At least j/r. one-tenth of every dollar ^(rg4U>t ^ /%^ d^WfOdd? A must be saved and safely in- ' \7 vested; more is better. used to say that "success in life means doing what you I want to do and being paid for it." Putting this in a little dif- ferent language, I should say that the man is successful who is able to devote his life to something in which he believes and which he enjoys, and that is sufficiently appreciated by the community so that he will ^

not have to earn his living by . ,

something else. rO G^-o-c %T~a utAAj ^^f^t^Aj^^

Success means achievement and attainment. implies It action, energy, patience, persistence, perseverance. is the It goal of faith, hope and effort, the hill-top of a weary way, the consummation of a plan, the J ^^ winning of a mental, phys- ical or financial struggle. It J? f ~&y*Q/r / tSwC&Q. ' • 1slys£v&£/ +

is often the outcome of re- peated failures, from which we learn how to reach it; CZ=^p J then it is a crown of radiant glory.

To understand the coherence of the past, present and fu- ture, and thereby the meaning of life; to train our faculties for high service in any honest endeavor; to educate the will so that the work we find may be done well and contented- ~~ *^/J] JfJ -}-$ ly; to love and serve our fel- Cy v I / (yLCiyfj^^P^ l

low man, and to increase in ~~ all these things daily—that is success.