MAKING THE BEST OF ONE'S SELF I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so to the end. -ABRAHAM LINCOLN. He has a cool head, In these words Lord "We can always count on him. a strong hand, and a true heart." Salisbury, at one time Prime Minister of Great Britain, spoke about a distinguished servant of his country. Calm courage in the midst of difficulty, firm strength in time of stress, and steady purpose to do one's best whatever the outcome- these are the qualities which make for the highest personal success. We often think that to win riches, honor, or fame is to gain success; and it is true that people who render great services to their fellow men do sometimes receive such rewards. But the highest attainment in life is greater than any such returns. When a physician saves life by his skill, when a mother guards her child against danger, we judge their success first by what they do, and second by what they are. In home life, in school life, in business and professional life, we make the best of ourselves to the degree that we round out to the fullest extent our powers of head, of hand, and of heart. This is the standard of making the best of ourselves, organizing our powers to do well our work in the world, which the readings of this chapter set forth. Though the marks of success that the world recognizes are without, the highest personal success lies within. Real success lies in our readiness and ability to meet bravely the problems of life. |