The thing that most people call ‘genius’ I do not believe in.
Every one’s got it in him, if he’ll only make up his mind and stick at it. None of us is born with a stop-valve on his powers or with a set limit to his capacities, There’s no limit possible to the expansion of each one of us.
In my wide association in life, meeting with many and great men in various parts of the world, I have yet to find the man, however great or exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than he would ever do under a spirit of criticism.
The first essential in a boy’s career is to find out what he’s fitted for, what he’s most capable of doing and doing with a relish.
All successful employers are stalking men who will do the unusual, men who think, men who attract attention by performing more than is expected of them.
Don’t be reluctant about putting on overalls!
For my own part I am more interested in my work than its mere money value.
I am sure that few successful men are so-called ‘natural geniuses.’
I didn’t take up shorthand with any idea of becoming a professional at it. It merely appeared to me to be a good thing to know – something that might come in handy.
I have always felt that the surest way to qualify for the job just ahead is to work a little harder than any one else on the job one is holding down.
A factory can be closed down, its chimneys smokeless, waiting for the worker to come back to his job, and all will be peaceful. But the moment workers are imported, and the striker sees his own place usurped, there is bound to be trouble.
The man who has done his best has done everything. The man who has done less than his best has done nothing.
The man who fails to give fair service during the hours for which he is paid is dishonest. The man who is not willing to give more than this is foolish.
The man who counts his hours and kicks about his salary is a self-elected failure.
The inventor, the man with a unique, specialized talent, is the only real super-genius. But he is so rare that he needs no consideration.
The captains of industry are not hunting money. America is heavy with it. They are seeking brains – specialized brains – and faithful, loyal service. Brains are needed to carry out the plans of those who furnish the capital.
Spending creates more wealth for everybody.
One of the most successful men I have known never carried a watch until he began to earn ten thousand dollars a year.
Nothing is more fatal to success than taking one’s job as a matter of course.
The man who attracts attention is the man who is thinking all the time, and expressing himself in little ways. It is not the man who tries to dazzle his employer by doing the theatrical, the spectacular.
I have yet to find anyone, however exalted their station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.