VIII

HYGIENE. CONDUITE. METHODE

(Extraits de The Conduct of Life, d’Emerson)

Great men... have not been boasters and buffoons, but perceivers of the terror of life, and have manned themselves to face it.

“Fate is nothing but the deeds committed in a prior state of existence.”

“What we wish for in youth comes in heaps on us in old age”, too often cursed with the granting of our prayer ; and hence the high caution, that since we are sure of having what we wish we beware to ask only for high things.

The one prudence in life is concentration ; the one evil is dissipation.

The poet Campbell said that “a man accustomed to work was equal to any achievement he resolved on, and that, for himself necessity, not inspiration, was the prompter of his muse.”

In our flowing affairs a decision must be made, - the best, if you can ; but any is better than none.

The second substitute for temperament is drill, the power of use and routine.

“More are made good by exercitation than by nature”, said Democritus.

Mirabeau said : “Why should we feel ourselves to be men, unless it be to succeed in everything, everywhere. You must say of nothing : That is beneath me, nor feel that anything can be out of your power. Nothing is impossible to the man who can will. Is that necessary ? That shall be. This is the only Law of success.

We acquire the strength we have overcome.

The hero is he who is immovably centred.

The main difference between people seems to be, that one man can come under obligations on which you can rely ; and another is not. As he has not a law within him, there’s nothing to tie him to.

If you would be powerful, pretend to be powerful.

Seeketh thou great things , seek them not.

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