,,transcrib]',s ,,notes3     ,italiciz$ 
text is surr\nd$ by und]scores3 italics4
    ,obvi\s typographical errors h be5  
correct$4       ,,ambition ,,&          
,,success    ,,by    ,,orison ,,swett   
,,m>d5    ,au?or ( 8,"*10 8,*e]fulness10
 etc4    ,,new ,,york   ,,?omas ,y4     
,,cr[ell ,,company   ,,publi%]s         
,,copyright1 #aiai1 ,,by   ,,?omas ,y4  
,,cr[ell ,,company     ,,cont5ts        
,,*apt]                                 
,,page       ,i  ,,:at ,,is ,,ambition8 
#a      ,,ii  ,,! ,,satisfi$ ,,man      
#g     ,,iii  ,,! ,,influ5ce ,,(        
,,environm5t                 #ag        
,,iv  ,,unwor?y ,,ambitions             
#bg       ,v  ,,ambition ,,kn[s ,,no    
,,age ,,limit                  #cg      
,,vi  ,,make ,,y\r ,,life ,,c\nt        
#dd     ,,vii  ,,visualize ,,y\rself ,,9
 ,a ,,bett] ,,position      #eb         
,,viii  ,,?w>t$ ,,ambition              
#fj      ,,ix  ,,:y ,,don',t ,,y ,,beg98
                         #fh            
,,ambition     ,,*apt] ,i  ,,:at ,,is   

,,ambition8    8,ambition is ! spur t   
makes man /ruggle ) de/9y3 x   is       
heav5's own inc5tive to make purpose    
great1 & a*ievem5t   great]40   ,9 a    
factory :]e m>9]s' compasses are made1 !
 ne$les1 be=e !y are magnetiz$1 w lie 9 
any position1 :]ev] !y are plac$1 b f ! 
mom5t !y h be5 t\*$ by ! mighty magnet &
 h be5 electrifi$1 !y are nev] aga9 !   
same4 ,!y h tak5 on a my/]i\s p[] & are 
new creatures4 ,be=e !y are magnetiz$1  
!y d n answ] ! call ( ! ,nor? ,/>1 !    
magnetic pole does n h any effect ^u !m1
 b ! mom5t !y h be5 magnetiz$ !y sw+ to 
! magnetic nor?1 & are ev] aft] loyal & 
true to _! aff9ity4  ,multitudes ( p1 l 
an unmagnetiz$ ne$le1 lie motionless1   
unresponsive to any /imulus until !y are
 t\*$ by t my/]i\s =ce we call ambition4
  ,:5ce comes ?is ov]ma/]+ impulse :i*  
pu%es human be+s on1 ea* to 8 individual
 goal8 ,:]e is ! s\rce ( ambition1 & h[ 
& :5 does x ga9 entrance into our lives8
  ,h[ few ( u ev] /op to ?9k :at        
ambition really means1 its cause1 or    

significance6 ,yet1 if we c\ld expla9 j 
:at ambition is1 we c\ld expla9 ! my/]y 
( ! univ]se4 ,! in/9ctive impulse to    
keep pu%+ on & up is ! mo/ curi\s & !   
mo/ int]e/+ ?+ 9 human life4 ,x exi/s 9 
e normal human be+1 & is j z pron\nc$ & 
z real z ! in/9ct ( self-pres]vation4   
,i believe ?is incessant inw>d prompt+1 
call x ambition or :at we w1 ?is some?+ 
:i* pu%es m5 to _! goal1 is ! expression
 9 man ( ! univ]sal =ce ( evolution :i* 
is fl[+ ,godw>d1 t x is a "p ( ! great  
cosmic plan ( creation4 ,we d n create  
?is urge1 we d n manufacture x4 ,e      
normal p]son feels ?is imp]i\s mu/ :i*  
is back ( ! fle%1 b n ( x1 ?is int]nal  
urge :i* is ev] pu%+ u on1 ev5 at ! co/ 
( our discom=t & sacrifice4  ,x is a "p 
( e atom1 = all atoms are alive1 & ?is  
upw>d impulse is 9 e "o ( !m4 ,x is 9 ! 
in/9ct ( ! bee1 ! ant1 & 9 all =ms (    
insect & animal life4  ,! same k9d (    
urge t is 9 ! se$ buri$ out ( sight &   
:i* is ev] pu%+ x up & out ?r\gh ! soil1
 prodd+ x to develop itself to ! utmo/ &

 to give its beauty & fragrance to ! _w1
 is 9 ea* "o ( u4 ,x is ev] pu%+ u1 urg+
 u on to full] & complet] expression1 to
 a l>g]1 m beautiful life4  ,b = ?is    
desire to get on & get up1 ?is          
,god-urge1 ev]y?+1 ev5 ! univ]se itself1
 w\ld collapse4 ,in]tia w\ld br+ ev]y?+ 
to a /&/ill4  ,if we obey ?is call we   
exp&1 blossom into beauty & develop into
 fruitage1 b if we neglect or dissipate 
x1 if we only half obey x1 we rema9 m]e 
scrub plants1 )\t fl[] or fruitage4  ,t 
my/]i\s urge )9 u nev] all[s u to re/ b 
is always prodd+ u = our good1 because  
!re is no limit to human gr[? !re is no 
satisfy+ human ambition--man's high]    
aspiration4 ,:5 we rea* ! height :i*    
looks s attractive f bel[1 we f9d our   
new position z unsatisfy+ z ! old1 & a  
p]petual call to g high] /ill r+s 9 our 
e>s4 ,a div9e impulse con/antly urges u 
to rea* our highe/ ideal4  8,fai? & !   
ideal /ill rema9 ! mo/ p[]ful lev]s (   
progress & ( happ9ess10 says ,jean      
,f9ot4  8,did y ev] he> ( a man :o _h   

/riv5 all 8 life fai?fully & s+ly t[>d  
an object10 ask$ ,?oreau1 8& 9 no       
measure obta9$ x8 ,if a man con/antly   
aspires1 is he n elevat$8 ,did ev] a man
 try h]oism1 magnanimity1 tru?1 s9c]ity1
 & f9d t !re 0 no advantage 9 !m1--t x 0
 a va9 endeavor80  ,aspiration f9ally   
becomes inspiration & ennobles ! :ole   
life4  ,:5 ! g5]al habit ( always       
aspir+1 mov+ upw>ds & climb+ to some?+  
high] & bett] is =m$1 all ! undesirable 
qualities & ! vici\s habits w fade away2
 !y w die f lack ( n\ri%m5t4 ,only ^?   
?+s gr[ 9 our nature :i* are f$4 ,!     
quicke/ way to kill !m is to cut (f _!  
n\ri%m5t4  ,! crav+ = some?+ high] &    
bett] is ! be/ possible antidote or     
rem$y = ! l[] t5d5cies :i* "o wi%es to  
get rid (4  ,e fa9te/ aspiration t spr+s
 up 9 our he>t is a heav5ly se$ )9 u :i*
 w gr[ & develop into ri* beauty if only
 x be f$1 enc\rag$4 ,! bett] ?+s d n gr[
 ei!r 9 mat]ial or m5tal soil )\t c>e & 
n\ri%m5t4 ,only we$s1 bri]s1 & noxi\s   
plants ?rive easily4  ,mo/ "y p seem to 

?9k t ambition is a quality t is born 9 
"o & :i* _c be mat]ially *ang$1 b !     
greate/ ambition may be v mat]ially     
injur$ 9 _m diff]5t ways4 ,! habit (    
procra/9ation1 ( po/pon+1 ! habit (     
pick+ out ! easi] tasks & putt+ (f !    
difficult ones1 = example1 w v s]i\sly  
impair ! ambition4 ,:atev] affects !    
ideals affects ! ambition4  ,ambition   
(t5 beg9s v e>ly to knock = recognition4
 ,if we d n he$ its voice1 if x gets no 
enc\ragem5t aft] appeal+ to u = ye>s1 x 
gradually ceases to tr\ble u1 because1 l
 any o!r unus$ quality or function1 x   
det]iorates or disappe>s :5 unus$4  ,god
 is :isp]+ into ! e> ( all exi/5ce1 ( e 
creat$ ?+ 8,look up40 ,e s5ti5t ?+ 9 !  
univ]se seems to be try+ to get to a    
high] level4 ,ev]y?+ is 9 ! process (   
evolution1 & ! evolution is always      
upw>d4 ,! butt]fly does n become a grub4
 ,x is n ! evolution>y law4 ,! grub     
develops into a butt]fly4 ,x is nev] !  
o!r way4  ,be c>eful h[ y disc\rage or  
refuse to he$ t inn] voice :i* comm&s y 

to g =w>d1 = if y d x w become less &   
less insi/5t until f9ally x w cease to  
prod y1 & :5 ambition is dead           
det]ioration has set 94  ,t inn] call to
 g =w>d1 to pu% on to a high] good1 is  
,god's voice2 he$ x4 ,x is y\r be/ fri5d
 & w lead y into light & joy4           
,,*apt] ,,ii  ,,! ,,satisfi$ ,,man   ,f4
 ,w4 ,rob]tson has said1 8,:oev] is     
satisfi$ ) :at he does has rea*$ 8      
culm9at+ po9t--he w progress no m4      
,man's de/9y is to be n dissatisfi$1 b  
=ev] unsatisfi$40  ,"o ( ! sadde/ ?+s 9 
life is to see m5 & wom5 :o />t$ out )  
high hopes & pr\d ambitions settle d[n 9
 m$iocre positions1 half satisfi$ j     
m]ely to get a liv+1 to plod along      
indiff]5tly4  ,oh1 :at trag$y !re is 9  
be+ cont5t ) m$iocrity1 9 gett+ into a  
/ate :]e "o is indiff]5t to ! l>g]1     
bett] ?+s ( life6  ,:5 y are satisfi$ ) 
! life y are liv+1 ) ! "w y are do+1 ) !
 ?\ght y are ?9k+1 ) ! dreams y are     
dream+1 satisfi$ ) ! "* y are build+1 ) 
y\r ideals1 y may be sure t y are       

already beg9n+ to det]iorate4  ,!re is  
little hope = ! man :o feels satisfi$ ) 
himself1 :o does n "k1 8! noble         
discont5t t /irs ! acorn to become an   
oak40 ,man's ambition to improve some?+ 
some:]e e day to get a little fur!r on &
 a little high] up ?an he 0 ! day be=e1 
an insatiable passion = bett]+ ?+s all  
along ! l9e1 is ! secret ( human        
progress4  ,d y realize1 my "y fri5d1 t 
if ! motive 7 big en\gh1 if y _h a v    
unusual inc5tive1 y c\ld mat]ially      
improve ^u :at y n[ are satisfi$ to     
consid] y\r be/ endeavor8 ,z an employee
 y may ?9k y are do+ y\r level be/1 &   
are consci5ti\s1 loyal1 true &          
indu/ri\s2 & yet1 if a great prize %\ld 
be (f]$ y to br+ y\r "w up to a c]ta9   
high] /&>d = ! next sixty days1 w\ld y  
re/ until y _h succe$$ 9 v greatly      
improv+ :at y n[ ?9k is y\r be/ "w8     
,don't y ?9k1 y :o pride y\rself t x    
w\ld be impossible to bett] :at y are n[
 do+1 t if y\r "n 7 ov] ! door z        
proprietor in/ead ( ! "n ( ! company y  

"w = y c\ld jack y\rself up ab\t fifty  
p] c5t2 t y w\ld f9d "s way ( do+ x8    
,don't y ?9k y w\ld be a little m       
ambiti\s1 make a little bett] use ( y\r 
"t1 t y w\ld try to call out a little m 
+5uity & effectiv5ess1 a little m       
res\rcefulness8 ,d y ?9k y w\ld jog     
along 9 ! same half-he>t$ mann]1 ?9k+ m 
( y\r sal>y ?an ( y\r opportunity to    
absorb ! secrets ( y\r employ]'s        
success8 ,d y ?9k y w\ld /& by )\t      
prote/ & see ! m]*&ise injur$1 or wa/$1 
:5 y c\ld /op x2 or t y w\ld be s       
c>eless or make s _m blund]s y\rself8   
,don't y ?9k ! prize to be ga9$ w\ld    
make y take a little m int]e/ 9 ?+s ?an 
y d n[2 make y a little m al]t1 m eag] =
 ! success ( ! bus9ess8  ,x is a        
deplorable sight to see s _m "y m5 & "y 
wom5 app>5tly s satisfi$ ) !mselves1 )  
:at !y are do+1 t !y h no great ye>n+s1 
no insatiable long+ = some?+ high] &    
bett]4  ,multitudes ( capable employees 
are satisfi$ to plod along 9 m$iocrity  
in/ead ( ris+ to ! heights1 :]e _!      

ability w\ld naturally c>ry !m4 ,i h a  
fri5d :o has a mu* sup]ior bra9 to ! man
 he is work+ =1 & yet = a great _m ye>s 
he has be5 on an ord9>y sal>y4 ,he has  
nev] m>ri$4 ,he takes life 9 an easy-go+
 way & :5ev] ,i h tri$ to enc\rage him  
to g into bus9ess = himself1 to %[ him  
h[ mu* sup]ior he is to ! man he is     
work+ =1 he always says1 8,:y %\ld ,i   
ex]t myself m or take on great] bus9ess1
 responsibilities8 ,i h nobody b myself 
to consid]4 ,i l to h a good "t1 & don't
 want to h ! worry1 ! c>e & anxiety (   
runn+ a bus9ess ( my own1 al?\gh ,i "k  
p]fectly well ,i c\ld d x if ,i want$   
to40  ,( c\rse1 ! high] up 9 ! _w a man 
gets ! great] 8 responsibility1 b ?9k ( 
! satisfaction :i* comes f !            
consci\sness t he has made ! mo/ ( 8    
tal5ts1 t he has n buri$ any ( !m 9 a   
napk91 ! satisfaction :i* comes f !     
feel+ t he has made good1 t he has      
deliv]$ 8 message to ! _w & deliv]$ x l 
a man1 t he has fulfill$ 8 mission1 t he
 has made ! mo/ possible ( ! mat]ial & !

 opportunities giv5 him4 ,! feel+ t he  
has no regrets1 t he has done 8 level   
be/ m ?an comp5sates = any additional   
ef=t & great] responsibility4  ,we t5d  
to become l our aspirations4 ,if we     
con/antly aspire & /rive = some?+ bett] 
& high] & nobl]1 we _c help broad5+ &   
improv+4 ,! ambition t is dom9ant 9 !   
m9d t5ds to "w itself out 9 ! life4 ,if 
?is ambition is sordid & l[ & animal1 we
 %all develop ^! qualities1 = our lives 
foll[ our ideals4  ,civilization has    
made its greate/ advancem5t "u ! /ress (
 necessity1 "u ! lead]%ip ( a great     
ambition to satisfy ! he>t's ye>n+s =   
bett] ?+s4 ,we d our be/ "w :ile we are 
try+ desp]ately to mat* our dreams ) _! 
reality4  ,! /ruggle ( man to rise a    
little high]1 to get into a little m    
com=table position1 to secure a little  
bett] education1 a little bett] home1 to
 ga9 a little m culture & ref9em5t1 to  
possess t p[] :i* comes f be+ 9 a       
position ( broad] & wid] influ5ce ?r\gh 
! acquirem5t ( prop]ty1 is :at has      

develop$ ! "* & ! /am9a ( our highe/    
types ( manhood to-day4 ,?is upw>d      
life-tr5d gives o!rs confid5ce 9 u4  ,:5
 we h atta9$ a little success1 :5 we h  
ga9$ a little public applause1 h[ _m ( u
 ?9k we c relax our ef=ts1 & be=e we    
realize x our ambition has disappe>$1   
our en]gy evaporat$4 ,a sort ( le?>gy   
comes ov] u & lulls u into inaction4    
,fir/ successes1 & especially e>ly      
successes1 to _m act l an opiate4 ,!y   
are ov]come ) in]tia :i* only an        
unsatisfi$ & det]m9$ ambition c ov]come4
 ,x takes m grit & a /rong] w to =ce    
ourselves to d our level be/ aft] we h  
demon/rat$ )\t d\bt t we h ! ability to 
d :at we und]take1 ?an x does to a*ieve 
! actual fir/ success itself4  ,"o ( !  
greate/ enemies to ambition is p]sonal  
in]tia1 & x is "o ( ! h>de/ ?+s to      
ov]come4 ,! temptation to slide along ! 
l9e ( ! lea/ resi/ance1 to get into a   
com=table position & take "o's ease1 is 
s /rong t _m all[ x to ma/] !m4 ,!      
ambition is n p]si/5t en\gh or /r5u\s   

en\gh to %ame !m out ( _! in]tia1 or    
prod !m on to great] ?+s4 ,m$iocrity is 
(t5 a premium ^u laz9ess4 ,! poet tells 
u1    8,he :o w\ld climb ! heights      
sublime1     ,or brea! ! pur] air (     
life1   ,mu/ n expect to re/ 9 ease1    
,b brace himself = toil or /rife40  ,"o 
( ! mo/ disc\rag+ problems 9 ! _w is t (
 try+ to help ! ambitionless1 !         
half-satisfi$1 ^? :o h n discont5t en\gh
 9 _! natures to pu% !m on1 initiative  
en\gh to beg9 ?+s1 & p]si/5cy en\gh to  
keep go+4  ,if a "y man is app>5tly     
satisfi$ to drift along 9 a humdrum way1
 half cont5t ) 8 accompli%m5ts1         
undi/urb$ by ! fact t he has us$ b a v  
small "p ( himself1 a v small p]c5tage (
 8 real ability1 t 8 en]gies are runn+  
to wa/e 9 all sorts ( ways1 y _c d mu* )
 him4 ,if he lacks ambition1 life1 en]gy
 & vigor--is will+ to slide along ! l9e 
( ! lea/ resi/ance & ex]ts himself z    
little z possible1 !re is no?+ ^u :i* to
 build4  ,x is ! "y man :o is n satisfi$
 ) :at he does1 & :o is det]m9$ to bett]

 8 be/ e day1 :o /ruggles to express !  
ideal1 to make ! possible 9 him a       
reality1 t w9s4  ,activity is ! law (   
gr[?2 ef=t ! only means ( improvem5t4   
,:5ev] m5 h obey$ _! l[] nature & ceas$ 
to /ruggle to bett] _! condition1 !y h  
det]iorat$ physically1 m5tally &        
morally2 :ile1 j 9 proportion z !y h    
/riv5 hone/ly & insi/5tly to improve _! 
situation1 !y h develop$ a l>g] & nobl] 
human type4  ,:5 a man :o is said to be 
! highe/ sal>i$ (ficial 9 ! ,unit$      
,/ates 0 ask$ to give ! secret ( 8      
success1 he repli$1 8,i hav5't succe$$4 
,no real man ev] succe$s4 ,!re is always
 a l>g] goal ahead40  ,x is ! small man 
:o succe$s 9 8 own e/imation4 ,really   
great m5 nev] rea* _! goal1 because !y  
are con/antly pu%+ _! horizon out fur!r 
& fur!r1 gett+ a broad] vision1 a l>g]  
outlook1 & _! ambition gr[s ) _!        
a*ievem5t4  ,if y are gett+ a fair sal>y
 9 a m$iocre position !re is dang] (    
hypnotiz+ y\rself into ! belief t !re is
 no ne$ to ex]t y\rself v mu* to get up 

high]4 ,!re is dang] ( limit+ y\r       
ambition s t y w be half cont5t to rema9
 a p]petual cl]k :5 y h ! ability to d  
mu* bett]4  ,?is satisfaction ) ! less] 
:5 ! great] is possible (t5 results f   
relatives or fri5ds tell+ y t y are do+ 
well1 & t y w\ld bett] let well en\gh   
alone4 ,^! advis]s say3 8,don't take    
*ances ) a c]ta9ty4 ,x is true y are n  
gett+ a v big sal>y1 b x is a sure ?+1 &
 if y give x up ) ! hope ( some?+ bett] 
y may d worse40 ,don't let any "o or any
 conditions make y ?9k y h n ! ability  
to mat* y\r long+s4 ,wrapp$ up 9 e human
 be+ !re are en]gies :i*1 if unfold$1   
conc5trat$1 & giv5 prop] att5tion w     
develop 8 highe/ ideal4  ,our long+s are
 creative pr9ciples1 prophecies1        
indicative ( pot5cies equal to ! task ( 
actual a*ievem5t4 ,^! lat5t pot5cies are
 n giv5 to mock u4 ,!re are no seal$    
ord]s wrapp$ )9 ! bra9 )\t ! accompany+ 
ability to execute !m4  ,:5 y once get a
 glimpse ( y\rself z y 7 int5d$ by y\r  
,mak] to be1 ) all ( y\r lat5t          

possibilities develop$ into realities2  
:5 y once see y\rself z ! sup]b man x is
 possible = y to be1 no?+ & no "o b     
y\rself c prev5t y f atta9+ y\r         
ambition4  ,x is only ! man :o has /opp$
 gr[+ t feels satisfi$ ) 8 a*ievem5ts4  
,! gr[+ man feels a great lack (        
:ol5ess1 ( complet5ess4 ,ev]y?+ 9 him   
seems to be unf9i%$ because x is gr[+4  
,! exp&+ man is always dissatisfi$ ) 8  
accompli%m5t1 is always rea*+ out =     
some?+ l>g]1 full]1 complet]4           
,,*apt] ,,iii  ,,! ,,influ5ce ,,(       
,,environm5t   ,environm5t has a great  
deal to d ) man's ambition & a*ievem5t4 
,x may make all ! diff]5ce to y1 my     
fri5d1 betwe5 success & m$iocrity1 :e!r 
y are 9 a favorable environm5t & keep   
close to p :o inspire & enc\rage y1 :o  
communicate to y ! en?usiasm ( _!       
example1 or :e!r y are surr\nd$ by      
discordant conditions1 & associate ) p  
:o h an opposite effect ^u y4  ,we _c   
associate ) a really ambiti\s p]son )\t 
cat*+ 8 _s to a great] or less ext5t4   

,we unconsci\sly reflect ! p ) :om we   
m+le mu*4 ,_! m>k is left ^u u4 ,we may 
n be able to see x ourselves1 b o!r p c 
detect x4  ,our ,indian s*ools sometimes
 publi%1 side by side1 photographs ( !  
,indian y\?s z !y come f ! res]vation & 
z !y look :5 !y are graduat$--well      
dress$1 intellig5t1 ) ! fire ( ambition 
9 _! eyes4 ,we pr$ict great ?+s = !m2 b 
! majority ( ^? :o g back to _! tribes  
aft] /ruggl+ a:ile to keep up _! new    
/&>d gradually drop back to _! old mann]
 ( liv+4 ,!re are1 ( c\rse1 _m notable  
exceptions1 b ^! are unusually /rong    
*>act]s1 able to resi/ ! d[nw>d-dragg+  
t5d5cies ab\t !m4  ,if y int]view !     
great army ( failures1 y w f9d t        
multitudes 9 x h fail$ because !y nev]  
got into a /imulat+1 enc\rag+           
environm5t1 because _! ambition 0 nev]  
ar\s$1 or because !y 7 n /rong en\gh to 
rally "u depress+1 disc\rag+1 or vici\s 
surr\nd+s4  ,h[ (t5 we see m5 & wom5 )  
spl5did bra9 p[]1 ) robu/ physiqe1      
app>5tly sup]bly equipp$ = great c>e]s1 

& yet !y are liv+ v ord9>y lives1 plodd+
 along p]haps 9 m$iocrity6 ,?is may be  
because !y h nev] be5 ar\s$1 & are      
totally ignorant ( _! p[]s4 ,!y may nev]
 h look$ into ! mirror ( o!rs :o 7      
succe$+ along _! l9es & caught a glimpse
 ( _! own possibilities4  ,:atev] y d 9 
life1 make any sacrifice necess>y to    
keep 9 an ambition-ar\s+ atmosph]e1 an  
environm5t t w /imulate y to            
self-developm5t4 ,keep close to p :o    
und]/& y1 :o believe 9 y1 :o w help y to
 discov] y\rself & enc\rage y to make ! 
mo/ ( y\r life4 ,*oose companions &     
fri5ds :o are 9 sympa?y ) y\r ambition &
 :o w give y _! moral support & make y d
 :at y are capable ( do+4 ,a few su*    
fri5ds may make all ! diff]5ce to y     
betwe5 a gr& success & a m$iocre        
exi/5ce4 ,we are all diamonds 9 ! r\gh4 
,our environm5t may gr9d "o1 two or     
tw5ty facets4 ,"s p nev] come 9 contact 
) ! :eel :i* gr9ds a facet & lets 9 !   
light to reveal ! hidd5 wond]s4 ,_m are 
buri$ z r\gh diamonds ev5 ?\gh !re may h

 be5 lock$ up 9 !m great brilliancy &   
enorm\s value4 ,comp>atively few human  
diamonds are ev] s completely gr\nd t   
all ! hidd5 treasures are reveal$4  ,yet
 h[ trifl+ are ! ?+s :i* sometimes      
reveal ! man6 ,x may be ! sight ( a     
motto1 ! he>+ ( a s]mon1 a spee*1 !     
read+ ( "s inspir+ life hi/ory or "s    
/irr+ ambition-ar\s+ book1 ! enc\rag+   
conv]sation ( a fri5d1 ( "s "o :o       
believes 9 u & sees 9 u some?+ :i* we   
nev] knew 0 !re4  ,i "k m5 :o _h        
app>5tly lo/ _! ambition1 :o _h be5     
lit]ally d[n & out1 b :o1 by ! read+ (  
an inspir+ book1 or li/5+ to a /imulat+ 
s]mon1 7 ?or\ghly ar\s$ to _!           
possibilities ev5 9 a mo/ disc\rag+     
environm5t & s completely trans=m$ 9 a  
few mon?s t !y did n seem l ! same      
individuals4  ,! spee*es ( ,w5dell      
,phillips1 ,web/]1 & ,h5ry ,clay1 />t$ a
 fire 9 _m an ambiti\s y\? :i* nev] w5t 
out1 b :i* became a beacon light 9      
,am]ican hi/ory4  ,we all "k t !        
old-fa%ion$ debat+ societies & clubs    

woke up ! ambition ( _m a y\? 9 ! e>ly  
days ( our c\ntry1 :o might nev] h be5  
he>d f outside ( 8 own little community 
b = ! ar\s+ influ5ce ( ^! debates4  ,!  
ambition ( ! boy :o has liv$ on a f>m 9 
! back c\ntry is (t5 ar\s$ = ! fir/ "t  
:5 he goes to ! city4 ,to him !         
metropolis is a colossal _w's fair1 :]e 
ev]ybody's a*ievem5t is on exhibition4  
,! progressive _s :i* p]vades ! city is 
l an electric %ock to him & ar\ses all (
 8 lat5t en]gies1 calls out 8 res]ves4  
,ev]y?+ he sees seems to be a summons to
 him to g =w>d1 to pu% on4  ,he is      
con/antly rem9d$ by 8 city environm5t ( 
:at o!rs h done4 ,he sees ! trem5d\s    
eng9e]+ feats1 great factories & (fices1
 va/ bus9esses1 all huge adv]tis]s (    
man's a*ievem5t1 & is /irr$ by an       
ambition to d some?+ great himself4     
,ambition is contagi\s4 ,:5 a man meets 
o!rs at ! re/aurant or club1 or 9 o!r   
social ways1 & he>s acc\nts ( _! great  
successes1 great] a*ievem5t1 he         
imm$iately says to himself1 8,:y c't ,i 

d x80 8,:y don't ,i d x80 & if he is (  
any acc\nt he probably says1 8,i w d x60
 ,!n he goes back to 8 bus9ess ) a new  
det]m9ation1 p]haps ) new ideas & new   
conceptions ( ! possibilities ( 8 own   
success4  ,i h kn[n "y bus9ess m5 9 !   
c\ntry :o h n be5 specially successful  
:o got trem5d\s impetus to _! ambition  
by visit+ l>g] city conc]ns 9 ! same l9e
 ( bus9ess4 ,! great] successes t\*$ _! 
pride & !y w5t back home & began to     
brace up & build up4  ,! same ?+ is true
 9 pr(essional life4 ,! "y c\ntry doctor
 visits a city hospital1 att5ds cl9ics1 
sees op]ations by not$ surgeons1 & he   
goes home ) 8 ambition fir$ & makes a   
vigor\s resolution to try h>d] to be    
somebody 9 8 own pr(ession4  ,m5 :o are 
9 bus9ess 9 small t[ns :]e !y h no      
competition1 & :]e !y v seldom come 9   
contact ) ^? :o are successful 9 _! l9e 
( trade1 are 9 con/ant dang] ( gett+    
into a rut4 ,_! ambition unconsci\sly   
becomes dull$1 ! en]gy oozes out ( _!   
ef=ts1 & !y take ?+s easi]1 jog along 9 

! same old mann] ye> aft] ye>1 & be=e !y
 realize x dry rot gets into _! bus9ess4
  ,x is mu* easi] to keep up "o's int]e/
 & en?usiasm to d ?+s wor? :ile :5 we   
are "r 9 t\* ) ! ambiti\s1 ) ^? :o are  
=g+ ahead ) all _! might1 & :o are      
p]haps work+ "u great difficulties4  ,"o
 ( ! un=tunate ?+s ab\t small t[ns &    
c\ntry places is ! lack ( /imulus to    
ambition4 ,_m p liv+ 9 remote c\ntry    
di/ricts d n come 9 contact ) /&>ds by  
:i* !y c measure & comp>e _! own p[]s4  
,!y live a quiet unev5tful life1 & !re  
is little 9 _! environm5t to ar\se !    
faculties :i* are n active 9 _!         
vocation4  ,if y are ambiti\s to get on 
y w le>n "s spl5did lessons f /udy+ !   
qualities ( ^? :o h succe$$ along ! l9e 
( y\r ambition4 ,y w f9d t x is a       
*>act]i/ic ( ! w9n]1 t he is always ?9k+
 ^u 8 life !me1 is always head$ t[>ds ! 
goal ( 8 ambition1 always plann+ along !
 l9e ( 8 dreams4 ,he talks ! ?+s1 acts 9
 ! same direction1 8 :ole life is       
absorb$ 9 8 !me4 ,he radiates law1      

m$ic9e1 eng9e]+1 or manufactur+4 ,by    
keep+ 8 m9d 9 a positive1 creative      
condition he is con/antly enc\rag+ 8    
m5tal magnet to attract ! ?+ he is      
/udy+4 ,if he is /udy+ law he ?9ks law1 
pictures himself plead+ at c\rt1 or giv+
 advice 9 8 (fice4 ,he becomes a law    
magnet to attract law4  ,i "k a man :o  
says he w n take *ances ( !             
demoralization & ! det]ioration :i* w\ld
 be work$ 9 8 nature by associat+ )     
habitual failures4 ,he w h no?+ to d )  
su* p4 ,he avoids do+ bus9ess ) !m1 = he
 says he f9ds t no matt] h[ he may      
prote/ aga9/ x1 he is unconsci\sly      
influ5c$ by !m4  ,!re is no d5y+ t !re  
is mu* tru? 9 ?is4 ,we are unconsci\sly 
affect$ by ! atmosph]e surr\nd+ u4 ,l   
attracts l4 ,successful p attract       
successful p4 ,failure attracts failure4
 ,unlucky p attract unlucky p4 ,slov5ly1
 slip%od p attract o!rs ( ! same sort4  
8,birds ( a fea!r flock toge!r40 ,!     
failures get toge!r2 ! successes come   
toge!r naturally4  ,on e h& we see "y m5

 :o />t$ out ) brilliant prospects :5 !y
 left college4 ,_! fri5ds pr$ict$ great 
?+s = !m1 b someh[ or o!r1 ! en?usiasm (
 _! s*ool or college days soon ooz$ out4
 ,! cont9ual sugge/ion ( possibility :i*
 came to !m f _! s*ool environm5t1 !    
contagion f ! ambiti\s _s all ab\t !m1  
seem$ !n to multiply _! prospects1 to   
magnify _! ability & to /ir up _!       
ambition until !y really ?\ght !y 7 go+ 
to am\nt to some?+ 9 ! _w1 7 go+ to     
accompli% some?+2 b aft] !y got away f !
 batt]y-*>g+ in/itutions1 !y gradually  
lo/ _! en?usiasm2 _! ambition dw9dl$4   
,_! ideals *ang$ ) _! environm5t4       
,little by little _! dreams fad$1 & !y  
resign$ !mselves to m$iocrity or        
hopeless failure4  ,!re is no environm5t
 s unfavorable1 s disc\rag+1 no         
situation s di%e>t5+ t a y\? :o is made 
( ! "r k9d ( mat]ial _c *ange x4        
,l9coln1 ,b5jam9 ,frankl91 ,fr$ ,d\glas1
 ,john ,wanamak]1 ,m>%all ,field & ?\s&s
 ( o!r ,am]ican boys f\nd !mselves 9 !  
mid/ ( ! mo/ di%e>t5+ environm5t b made 

a new environm5t = !mselves4 ,x is      
possible = y to d ! same4  ,! great     
tr\ble ) mo/ ( u is t we nev] get ar\s$1
 nev] discov] ourselves until late 9    
life1--(t5 too late to make mu* out ( ! 
remnant t is left4 ,x is v important t  
we become ar\s$ to our possibilities :5 
"y1 ?us we may ov]come ! mo/ unfavorable
 environm5t & get ! greate/ possible    
effici5cy out ( our lives4     ,,*apt]  
,,iv  ,,unwor?y ,,ambitions   ,!re are  
scores ( p 9 our great cities :o d n    
really live at all4 ,!y m]ely exi/4 ,!y 
are ! slaves ( a morbid ambition & a    
gre$ t has gr[n to be a mon/]4 ,_m ( ^! 
p take v little com=t2 !y are always on 
a /ra9 to keep up appe>ances1 to ma9ta9 
homes 9 portions ( ! city :]e !y c ill  
af=d to live1 to keep automobiles :5 !y 
c b>ely af=d a bicycle1 to we> clo?+ &  
jewelry :i* is beyond _! means1 & !y    
keep !mselves con/antly worri$ ov] x1   
kill+ _! legitimate com=t & enjoym5t    
?r\gh ! exhau/ion ( ! /ra9 & /ress1--&  
all = no?+ t is real or p]man5t1 no?+ t 

adds to _! "* or well be+4  ,su* p h a  
p]fect mania = try+ to make o!r p ?9k !y
 are bett] (f ?an !y really are1 t !y   
am\nt to m ?an !y really d1 t !y cut a  
bigg] figure 9 ! _w ?an is actually !   
case4 ,9 o!r words1 !y make !mselves    
pitiable slaves ( o!r p's eyes4 ,!y g   
?r\gh life n do+ ! ?+s !y ought to d1   
:at is be/ = _! welf>e & gr[?4 ,_! lives
 are sup]ficial because !y d n live 9 or
 deal 9 realities4 ,ev]y?+ ab\t !m is   
deceiv+4 ,!y live mask$ lives4 ,few p "k
 !m z !y really are4 ,!y only "k !m z !y
 pret5d to be4 ,:at d ^! p1 :o are      
always *as+ %ad[s1 get out ( life1      
anyway8  ,!re is an ambition :i* rem9ds 
"o ( a bird ^: voraci\s appetite c nev] 
be satisfi$4 ,x gr[s on :at x fe$s1 & ! 
m x eats1 ! m rav5\s ! appetite4 ,woe be
 x to him :o cat]s to a false ambition6 
,he foll[s x bl9dly1 expects t x w give 
him peace :5 x is satisfi$1 b alas1 x is
 nev] satisfi$4 ,x is l ! wat] 9 !      
en*ant$ /ory3 ! m ! victim drank ( x1 ! 
great] 0 8 burn+ ?ir/4 ,su* an ambition 

is fatal1 & w surely wreck him :o bl9dly
 pursues x4 ,x w ru9 8 heal? & w rob him
 ( all t is de>e/ & sweete/ 9 life4     
,!re are a great _m p 9 ?is c\ntry :o   
are committ+ suicide ^u _m ye>s ( _!    
lives by be+ slaves ( an inord9ate      
ambition4  ,"o ( ! mo/ pa!tic phases (  
our civilization is t m5 & wom5 9 poor  
heal?1 devitaliz$ f ov]-"w1 are goad$ on
 way beyond _! /r5g? by a fi5di%        
ambition4 ,_! pride & _! vanity say to  
!m1 8,n[1 x w n d to sl[ d[n4 ,we mu/   
keep up ! pace ) our neighbors4 ,p :o d 
n keep up appe>ances 9 ^! days are      
nobodies4 ,we mu/ keep go+1 no matt] h[ 
we feel4 ,we mu/ make m money1 we mu/ %[
 m evid5ce ( our prosp]ity4 ,we mu/ put 
up a bett] front or ,mrs4 ,grundy w pass
 ! suspicion along t we are1 aft] all1 n
 mu* ( a success1 t we lack$ ! ability  
to d :at p ?\ght we 7 go+ to d4 ,no     
matt] h[ we feel we mu/ keep up1 keep   
pu%+1 keep go+1 cr[d on m /eam1 take    
/imulants & drugs1 if necess>y1 goad    
ourselves on4 ,x is absolutely imp]ative

 to keep pu%+40  ,oh1 :at fools pride & 
vanity make ( u1 especially :5 we are 9 
no condition to keep up ! pace1 :5 we   
owe x to ourselves to sl[ d[n1 :5 x is  
positively wick$ to cr[d on m /eam6 ,h[ 
_m p are driv5 into ! grave by ! la% ( a
 mortgage on a f>m1 on a home1 or on _! 
bus9ess1 put !re 9 an attempt to satisfy
 "s ov]-vaunt+ ambition6  ,debt has made
 m p mis]able1 ru9$ ! peace ( m9d ( m   
human be+s1 ! com=t & ! happ9ess ( m    
homes1 ?an almo/ any?+ else 9 ! univ]se4
 ,x is a t]rible ?+ to s mortgage       
oneself to o!rs t we mu/ make slaves (  
ourselves4 ,h[ mu* bett] to live simply1
 to /ruggle on 9 pov]ty until we c      
improve our position ?an to compromise  
ourselves ) debt1 sell ourselves to a   
mortgage1 or a bill ( goods6  ,:at an   
easy ?+ x is to borr[ money1 to give a  
note or to give a mortgage6 ,we believe 
at ! "t t we c pay all "r1 b no "o c be 
c]ta9 t ?+s w g all "r ) him4 ,no "o    
kn[s :at ! times may br+ =?4 ,no "o kn[s
 :e!r 8 heal? & /r5g? w be sp>$1 or h[  

soon he may be physically or m5tally    
disabl$4  ,! only true measure ( real   
success is ! quality ( ! ambition4 ,if !
 animal figures too l>gely 9 y\r        
ambition1 if ! quality is co>se1 !      
success w be *eap1 no matt] h[ great !  
quantity4  ,x is an un=tunate ?+ t s _m 
( our y\? %\ld />t out 9 life ) only "o 
aim2 & t is to make money4 ,?is becomes 
! lead+ purpose 9 _! lives & w>ps _! way
 ( look+ at ?+s4 ,ev]y?+ else is se5 9  
dw>f$ proportions4 ,!y d n consid] mak+ 
a life1 build+ "*2 !y are b5t only on   
mak+ money4 ,?is is ! all-absorb+ topic 
ev]y:]e4  ,! goal we hold 9 ! m9d is !  
model :i* %apes our lives1 & its "* is  
reflect$ 9 ev]y?+ we d4 ,?9k1 !re=e1 :at
 ! influ5ce mu/ be ( po9t+ all our      
faculties1 focus+ all ( our en]gies ^u !
 money-mak+ goal6 ,h[ x mu/ w>p & twi/ &
 wr5* out ( _! natural orbit ! m        
delicate s5tim5ts1 ! f9] faculties4 ,:5 
ev]y?+ 9 u looks moneyw>d1 & ! gaze is  
held p]si/5tly ^u ! doll> & :at x w br+1
 :at mu/ be ! havoc1 ! trag$y1 ! fatal  

damage 9 ! affections1 ! fri5d%ips1 & ! 
social faculties6 ,:5 ! affections are  
*ill$ & ! fri5d%ips /rangl$ :at is !re  
left 9 a man b ! mon/]1 brute qualities8
  ,?is is :y a y\? :o />ts out ) noble  
aspirations1 ) f9e s5sibilities &       
responsive affections1 (t5 becomes h>d5$
 9 8 bus9ess c>e]4 ,8 f9] s5sibilities &
 m delicate faculties atrophy f disuse1 
because he ov]develops ! grasp+1 gre$y1 
selfi% faculties by ! mod]n mania = !   
almighty doll>4  ,! trans=mation is s   
insidi\s t he does n half realize x     
until he f9ds himself /oop+ to s*em+ &  
plott+ & und]h& cunn+1 :i* w\ld h %ock$ 
him a few ye>s e>li]4  ,:5 a man once   
gets 9 ! p[] ( ! selfi%1 gre$y1 grasp+  
mon/] )9 him1 :i* he has f$ & cat]$ to s
 long t x has become a giant1 x is almo/
 impossible to wr5* himself away1 & he  
(t5 becomes ! slave ( ! v ?+ he once    
despis$ & loa!d4  ,x is always a "q (   
:at is upp]mo/ 9 ! ambition1 ! dom9ant  
aim1 t %apes ! life mo/4 ,:5 a man has  
pursu$ an aim = ye>s :i* t5ds to dry up 

! be/ )9 him1 :5 he has us$ all ( 8 life
 =ces1 all ( 8 en]gies1 to fe$ t unwor?y
 ambition until x has become a mon/] :i*
 controls him1 he is a pitiable         
creature4 ,!re is no m di/ress+ sight 9 
! _w ?an t ( "o :o is completely 9 !    
clut*es ( a he>tless1 grasp+1 gre$4     
,spurr$ on by ! morbid ambition :i* has 
tak5 possession ( him1 he is madly      
pursu+ ! doll> :i* haunts him1 until he 
is deaf to all appeals ( 8 f9] self1 &  
has lo/ all ta/e = t :i* he once enjoy$4
  ,multitudes ( p seem to ?9k t if !y 7 
only 9 an ideal environm5t1 :]e !y w\ld 
be free f worry or anxiety reg>d+ !     
liv+-gett+ problem1 if !y 7 free f pa9 &
 9 vigor\s heal?1 !y w\ld be p]fectly   
happy4 ,z a matt] ( fact1 we are n half 
s dep5d5t = happ9ess ^u our environm5t1 
or ^u circum/ances1 z we sometimes      
imag9e we are4 ,false ambition1 envy &  
jeal\sy are responsible = mu* ( our     
uneas9ess1 our re/lessness & discont5t4 
,our m9ds are s int5t ^u :at o!r p h &  
are do+ t we d n get a ti! ( ! enjoym5t 

& satisfaction out ( our own "w1 out (  
our own possessions1 t !y %\ld af=d u4  
,an inord9ate ambition1 a desire to get 
ahead ( o!rs1 a mania to keep up        
appe>ances at all haz>ds1 :e!r we c af=d
 x or n1 all ^! ?+s fe$ selfi%ness1 t   
corrosive acid :i* eats away our        
possible enjoym5t & de/roys ! v s\rces (
 happ9ess4 ,! dev\r+ ambition to get    
ahead ( o!rs 9 money mak+1 to out%9e    
o!rs socially1 develops a sordid1 grasp+
 disposition :i* is ! bane ( happ9ess4  
,no man ) gre$ develop$ big )9 him ne$  
expect to be happy4 ,nei!r cont5tm5t1   
satisfaction1 s]5ity1 affection1 nor any
 o!r memb] ( ! happ9ess family c exi/ 9 
! pres5ce ( gre$1 or an inord9ate1      
selfi% ambition4  ,we h _h "s conspicu\s
 examples ( political aspirants :o h put
 _! p]sonal ambition above _! duty to _!
 p>ty & _! c\ntry4 ,"t & aga9 "o or !   
o!r ( ! great political p>ties has be5  
well-nigh ru9$ by a man :o c\ld put 8   
own p]sonal ambition aga9/ ev5 8        
c\ntry's welf>e4  ,x is a dang]\s ?+ to 

put p]sonal ambition above duty1 anyway1
 b especially s to a politician or      
/atesman1 :o is r5d]$ d\bly dang]\s if  
he possesses great magnetic qualities4  
,we d n always "k :]e ! foll[+ (        
ambition's call w lead u1 b we d "k ?is1
 t by be+ loyal to ambition & do+ our   
be/ to foll[ x 9 its normal1 :olesome   
/ate1 :5 n p]v]t$ by selfi%ness1 by love
 ( ease or self-gratification1 x w lead 
to our be/ & highe/ welf>e1 t :5 we     
foll[1 :5 we put ourselves 9 a position 
to give x ! be/ & ! free/ scope1 x w    
lead u to ! highe/ self-expression ( :i*
 we are capable1 & w give u ! greate/   
satisfaction4 ,we "k1 too1 t :5 our     
ambition is p]v]t$ to base ends our     
lives g all awry2 :5 we are false to !  
high] voice )9 u1 we are discont5t$1    
unhappy1 ineffici5t1 & our lives are    
ineffective4  ,:5 a man becomes s       
infatuat$ ) ! mania = weal?1 position1  
fame or notoriety t he focuses 8 :ole   
s\l1 all 8 p[]s & en]gies1 ^u a false   
ideal1--^u a selfi%1 n>r[ goal1 he      

develops only a v small "p ( himself &  
he becomes v n>r[4 ,he lives mo/ :o     
lives true/4 ,he lives mo/ :o t\*es life
 9 ! l>ge/ numb] ( ! l>ge/ & highe/     
po9ts4  ,don't />t out 9 life ) a false 
/&>d2 a truly great man makes (ficial   
position & money & h\ses & e/ates look s
 mean & poor t we feel l s9k+ out (     
sight ) our *eap laurels & our ill-e>n$ 
gold4     ,,*apt] ,v  ,,ambition ,,kn[s 
,,no ,,age ,,limit   ,:at has become ( t
 some?+ :i* 9 y\r y\? key$ y\r          
det]m9ation up to su* a l(ty pit*8 ,:at 
has become ( t some?+ 9 y :i* w\ld n let
 y re/1 :i* robb$ y ( sleep1 :i*        
con/antly prodd$ y1 bomb>d$ y ) visions 
( ! great & wond]ful ?+s y 7 go+ to d 9 
! future8  ,"o ( ! e>m>ks ( old age is !
 cool+ d[n ( ! fires ( ambition4 ,:ile  
!y burn brightly1 z long z y feel j z   
eag] & z det]m9$ z 9 y\r y\ng] days to d
 y\r level be/1 to get up & to get on 9 
! _w1 to keep gr[+1 to keep improv+1 y  
are n ag+ v mu*4 ,y\r ye>s may dispute  
?is1 b z long z a man aspires1 z long z 

he is eag] to gr[1 z long z he ye>ns &  
/ruggles to bett] 8 be/ he is n old4    
,:5 we are gett+ along 9 ye>s !re is    
always a great temptation to make       
ourselves believe t we h a "r to let up 
a bit & to take ?+s easi]1 to get rid ( 
z mu* drudg]y z possible4 ,we h less &  
less incl9ation = ! /r5u\s /ruggle to   
atta9 t :i* *>act]iz$ our y\?4 ,! great 
dang] at ?is "t is t z we let up a bit 9
 our ef=ts our ambition w decl9e1 all ( 
our life /&>ds drop4  ,_m p are n q z   
pa9/ak+1 n q z p>ticul> :5 !y get along 
9 ye>s z 9 _! y\ng] days4 ,x is s mu*   
easi] !n to slide along easily1 n to    
tr\ble ab\t "o's dress & p]sonal        
appe>ance1 to hypnotize oneself into    
?9k+1 8,well1 x does n matt] v mu* n[1  
,i am no long] "y40  ,"o ( ! mo/        
difficult ?+s "o is call$ ^u to d z !   
ye>s pass is to keep 8 ambition f dy+1 8
 ideals cle> & clean-cut1 8 int]e/ 9 8  
"w f gett+ /ale4  ,! secret ( keep+ !   
ambition fre% & bright is 9 keep+ up !  
int]e/4 ,! arti/ :o is 9 love ) 8 "w1 no

 matt] h[ old1 nev] loses 8 ze/1 8      
en?usiasm4 ,he goes to 8 canvas 9 old   
age ) all ! int]e/ & eag]ness ( 8 y\?4  
,_m m5 & wom5 age ?r\gh %e] laz9ess1    
m5tal in]tia1 indiff]5ce4 ,!y are only  
half alive4 ,!y are n will+ to take !   
tr\ble to pay ! price = p]petual y\?1 to
 keep _! ambition f lagg+4  ,"s p seem  
to ?9k t ! ambition to d a c]ta9 ?+ 9   
life is a p]man5t quality :i* w rema9 ) 
!m4 ,x is n4 ,"o ( ! fir/ symptoms ( age
 & det]ioration 9 "o's "w is ! gradual1 
unconsci\s ooz+ out1 %r9kage1 ( "o's    
ambition4 ,!re is no "o quality 9 our   
lives t requires m c>eful wat*+ &       
con/ant brac+ up1 jack+ up1 s to speak1 
?an our ambition1 especially :5 we are  
advanc+ 9 ye>s1 & d n keep 9 an         
atmosph]e :i* t5ds to ar\se "o to life's
 possibilities4 ,)\t realiz+ x1 or mean+
 to1 we !n easily become victims ( !    
human incl9ation to take ?+s easy1 n to 
ex]t oneself v mu*4  ,no matt] h[ high  
our y\?ful ambition1 x is v easy to let 
x wane ) ! ye>s1 to all[ our /&>ds to   

drop4 ,! mom5t we cease to brace        
ourselves up1 to wat* ourselves1 we beg9
 to det]iorate1 j z a *ild does :5 8 "m 
ceases to pay /rict att5tion to him &   
lets him h 8 own way4 ,! t5d5cy ( !     
majority at e age ( exi/5ce is to g     
along ! l9e ( lea/ resi/ance1 to take ! 
easie/ way4 ,! race in/9ct to climb is  
cont9ually at w> ) ! l[] nature :i* w\ld
 drag x d[n4 ,ev5 ! noble/ be+s are n   
free f ! /ruggle ( ! high] ) ! l[] :i*  
goes on ceaselessly ?r\gh\t nature4 ,x  
is ! triumph ov] ! l[] t keeps ! race on
 ! asc5t4  ,!re is no m pitiable sight 9
 ! _w ?an t ( a p]son 9 :om ambition is 
dead1--a man :o has repeat$ly d5i$ t    
inw>d voice :i* bids him up & on1 a man 
9 :om ambition's fires h gone out f !   
lack ( fuel4 ,!re is always hope = a    
p]son1 no matt] h[ bad he may be1 z long
 z 8 ambition is alive2 b :5 t has      
disappe>$1 ! great life-spur1 ! impell+ 
motive is gone4  ,x requires a great    
deal & a great v>iety ( food to keep !  
ambition vigor\s4 ,unless x is well     

=tifi$ x does n am\nt to any?+4 ,x mu/  
be back$ by a robu/ w p[]1 /]n resolve1 
physical en]gy1 & great p[]s (          
endurance1 to be effective4  ,! habit ( 
wat*+ ! ambition con/antly & keep+ x    
alive1 is absolutely imp]ative to ^? :o 
w\ld keep f det]iorat+4 ,ev]y?+ dep5ds  
on ! ambition4  ,if we liv$ & ?\ght m   
sci5tifically !re w\ld n be su* a dropp+
 ( /&>ds1 su* a dull+ ( ideals1 & lett+ 
d[n 9 our ef=ts ) advanc+ ye>s4  ,:atev]
 our ambition may be1 no?+ else c be q s
 preci\s to mo/ ( u z life1 & we want t 
life at its be/4 ,e normal p]son dreads 
to see ! m>k ( old age1 ! symptoms (    
decrepitude1 & wants to rema9 fre%1     
buoyant1 robu/1 z long z possible4 ,yet 
mo/ p d n take s5sible precautions to   
pres]ve _! y\? & vigor4 ,!y violate !   
heal? laws1 longevity laws2 sap _!      
vitality 9 fooli%1 unnatural liv+1 9    
det]iorat+ habits4  ,i h a fri5d :o is  
always ref]r+ to 8 age4 ,he has =m$ a   
habit ( con/antly dwell+ ^u 8 decl9+    
ye>s1 & keep+ ! picture ( decrepitude 9 

8 m9d4 8,y "k1 :5 a man gets pa/ sixty  
he c't /& :at he once c\ld10 he w say4  
,! idea t our en]gies & =ces mu/ beg9 to
 decl9e & ! fires ( ambition die out    
aft] a c]ta9 age is rea*$ has a mo/     
p]nici\s influ5ce ^u ! m9d4 ,we d n     
realize h[ impossible x is = u to g     
beyond our self-plac$ 8dead-l9e0 limits1
 to d :at we really believe we _c d4    
,no "o is old until ! int]e/ 9 life is  
gone out ( him1 until 8 _s becomes ag$1 
until 8 he>t becomes cold &             
unresponsive2 z long z he t\*es life at 
_m po9ts he c n gr[ old 9 _s4 ,a man is 
old1 no matt] :at 8 ye>s1 :5 he is out (
 t\* ) y\?1 ) its ideals1 its po9ts (   
view1 out ( t\* ) ! _s ( 8 times2 :5 he 
has ceas$ to be progressive &           
up-to-date4  ,_m ( ! gr&e/ *>act]s t ev]
 liv$ h reta9$ _! y\?ful m5tality up to 
! v la/ ( a long life4 ,!re 0 no        
det]ioration 9 ! m9d ( ,m>%all ,field4  
,:5 9 8 advanc$ ye>s he nev] %[$ any    
incl9ation to take less pa9s1 any cool+ 
( ambition1 any incl9ation to bank 8    

fires1 to drop 8 /&>ds1 to l[] 8 ideals4
 ,we "k t ,glad/one's m9d 0 "r 9 its    
prime at eighty4  ,_m a man signs 8 dea?
 w>rant :5 he retires f bus9ess4 ,retir+
 f bus9ess to _m means practically      
retir+ f life1 t is1 f real liv+1       
because !y h no?+ to retire to4 ,!y h n 
prep>$ !mselves = retirem5t to any?+    
outside ( r\t9e bus9ess life4 ,!y h lo/ 
mo/ ( _! fri5ds 9 _! absorption 9       
bus9ess & _! exclusive mode ( liv+4 ,!y 
h nev] develop$ _! social faculties1 _! 
love ( art1 ( music1 or ( read+4 ,! :ole
 life has gone into "o bus9ess *annel & 
:5 out ( ?is !y are lo/4  ,life means   
little )\t a purpose4 ,once 8 life aim  
is gone man simply exi/s--he does n     
really live4 ,a high ideal1 a l(ty      
purpose1 a noble aim1 :atev] t5ds to    
make man look up & /ruggle up1 t5ds to  
improve 8 heal? condition & prolong !   
life4 ,! s\l t aspires1 o!r ?+s be+     
equal1 has ! longe/ life4 ,aspiration is
 a p]petual tonic2 x /imulates all !    
faculties4     ,,*apt] ,,vi  ,,make     

,,y\r ,,life ,,c\nt   ,ev]y:]e we see m5
 & wom5 do+ ! l[]1 ! common] ?+s1       
seem+ly satisfi$ to d !m all _! lives1  
:5 !y h ! ability to d ! high]4  ,_m p d
 n />t out ) ambition en\gh to spur !m  
to d big ?+s4 ,!y make a l>ge c>e]      
practically impossible at ! v outset1   
because !y expect s little ( !mselves4  
,!y h a n>r[1 /+y view ( life & (       
!mselves :i* limits _! ambition to a    
little1 rutty1 pov]ty-/rick5 groove4    
,if ,i c\ld give ! ,am]ican y\? b "o ^w 
( advice1 x w\ld be t :i* ,mi*ael       
,angelo wrote "u a dim9utive figure on a
 canvas 9 ,raphael's /udio1 :5 he call$ 
& f\nd ! great arti/ out1 8,amplius10   
mean+ 8l>g]40 ,raphael ne$$ no m4 ,?is  
^w meant volumes to him4 ,i advise e y\?
 to frame ?is motto1 hang x1 up 9 8     
room1 9 8 /ore1 9 8 (fice1 9 ! factory  
:]e he works1 :]e x w />e him 9 ! face4 
,con/ant contemplation ( x w make 8 life
 broad] & deep]4  ,a f9e ambition is a  
spl5did life /eadi]4 ,x holds u to our  
task2 keeps u f yield+ to ! hundr$      

temptations t might ru9 u4  ,:at *aos   
!re w\ld be b = man's ambition to get up
 & get on 9 ! _w & to improve 8         
condition4  ,no?+ s /r5g!ns ! m9d &     
enl>ges ! horizon ( manhood z a con/ant 
ef=t to measure up to a wor?y ambition4 
,x /ret*es ! ?\ght1 z x 71 to a l>g]    
measure1 & t\*es ! life to f9] issues4  
8,i am det]m9$ to make my life c\nt10   
said a poor "y immigrant ) :om ,i 0     
talk+ n long ago4 ,n[1 !re is a         
resolution t is wor? :ile1 because x is 
back$ by a high ambition1 ! det]m9$     
purpose to be a man1 to make 8 life "o (
 s]vice to humanity4  ,?is "y fell[     
works h>d dur+ ! day1 /udy+ 9 a night   
s*ool1 & improv+ himself 9 e possible   
way 9 8 odds & ends ( "t4  ,?is is !    
sort ( dead-9-e>ne/ness t w9s4 ,?is is !
 sort ( mat]ial t has made ,am]ica      
di/9ctive among all ! nations ( ! e>?4  
,?is is ! sort ( det]m9ation t gave u a 
,l9coln1 an ,&rew ,jackson1 an ,edison1 
a ,john ,muir--all our great m51 native 
born or adopt$ sons4  ,c\ld any "o h a  

nobl] ambition ?an ?is--to make 8 life  
c\nt8 ,"o _c imag9e its failure1 back$  
up by dead-9-e>ne/ness4  ,! quality ( ! 
ambitions ( a p at any "t locates !m 9 !
 scale ( civilization4 ,! ideals ( an   
individual or a nation measure ! actual 
condition & ! future possibilities &    
probabilities4  ,! tr\ble ) _m y\?s is  
!y />t out ) no def9ite plan1 no "o     
unwav]+ aim1 = success1 no wor? :ile    
goal 9 view4 ,!y j look = a job4 ,x may 
fit !m or x may n1 & !y plod along1 do+ 
_! "w indiff]5tly1 ) no _s or ambition  
to pu% !m t[>ds ! heights4              
,illu/ration3  ,und]wood  ,und]wood     
,,john ,,muir  ,x is a/oni%+ h[ _m p !re
 are :o h no def9ite aim or ambition1 b 
j exi/ f "o day to ano!r ) no well-def9$
 life plan4 ,al?\gh ! great _w w> has   
done mu* to br+ our y\? to a realization
 ( _! responsibilities & rais$ _! ideals
 to a l(ty height we /ill see all ab\t u
 on ! ocean ( life "y m5 & wom5         
aimlessly drift+ )\t rudd] or port1 ?r[+
 away "t1 )\t s]i\s purpose or me?od 9  

any?+ !y d4 ,!y simply drift ) ! tide4  
,if y ask "o ( !m :at he is go+ to d1   
:at 8 ambition is1 he w tell y he does n
 exactly "k yet :at he w d4 ,he is      
simply wait+ = a *ance to take up       
some?+4  8,betwe5 ! great ?+s t we _c d 
& ! small ?+s we w n d1 ! dang] is t we 
%all d no?+10 says ,adolphe ,monod4  ,x 
is n en\gh = success to h ability1      
education1 heal?4 ,hundr$s ( ?\s&s h all
 ^! & /ill fail1 or live 9 m$iocrity1   
because !y d n put !mselves 9 an        
attitude or condition = a*ievem5t4 ,_!  
ability is plac$ at a disadvantage by ! 
lack ( a big motive1 ! /imulus ( a wor?y
 ambition4  8,! important ?+s 9 life is 
to h a great aim & to possess ! aptitude
 & p]sev]ance to atta9 x10 says ,goe!4  
,( c\rse1 _m p are h9d]$ 9 ! race ?r\gh 
no fault ( _! own1 b ! va/ majority ( ^?
 :o cease to climb & give up 7(t5 "r 9  
sight ( _! goal71 d s f "s weakness or  
defect4 ,_m ( !m lack cont9uity (       
purpose or p]si/5cy2 o!rs lack c\rage or
 det]m9ation4 ,_m ( ^! un=tunates w\ld  

atta9 to at lea/ some?+ ( real success  
by m]ely /ick+ to _! tasks4  ,if !      
motive is big en\gh ! ability to mat* x 
is usually =?com+4 ,!re is n "o ( y1 my 
fri5ds1 :o c\ld n be m al]t1 m orig9al1 
m +5i\s1 m res\rceful1 m c>eful1 m      
?or\gh1 m level-head$2 n "o ( y :o c\ld 
n use a little bett] judgm5t a little m 
=e?\ght1 a little m discrim9ation1 if y 
saw a tempt+ prize ahead ( y z a rew>d4 
8,:atev] may be y\r ambition1 play fair 
) y\rself4 ,quit ! side issues40 ,cut   
out ! div]sions4 ,live ) & = y\r big    
ambition4 ,drop all else to atta9 y\r   
end & y w w9--y w be & y w h :at y want4
  8,take a lesson 9 prun+ & lop (f !    
useless bran*es :i* consume vitality &  
obscure ! sun%9e40 ,t c>d club t        
int]f]es ) e>ly ris+2 t light read+ t   
takes y\r m9d (f prep>ation = bigg] ?+s1
 & all o!r wa/eful habits4 ,h y cut !m  
(f8 ,if y h n x is because y don't want 
! 8big ?+0 h>d en\gh to des]ve x1 & y   
won't get x unless y prune (f ! useless 
habits t are div]t+ y\r en]gy & keep+ y 

away f ! ma9 *ance4  8,success 9 life is
 a process ( selection & elim9ation--a  
*oos+ betwe5 ! wor?less & ! wor? :ile4  
,to get "t = ?+s t c\nt y mu/ save "t by
 elim9at+ all else4 ,copy ! a?lete at ! 
tra9+ table1 fe$ on t :i* builds y up & 
keeps y fit = ! /ruggle40  ,unless y are
 inspir$ by a great purpose1 a resolute 
det]m9ation to make y\r life c\nt1 y w n
 make mu* ( an impression ^u ! _w ab\t  
y4 ,! diff]5ce 9 ! quantity & quality ( 
success is l>gely "o ( ambition &       
det]m9ation4 ,if y lack ^! y mu/        
cultivate !m vigor\sly1 p]si/5tly1 or y 
w be a nobody4 ,i h nev] kn[n any "o to 
make a place = himself 9 ! _w1 :o did n 
keep 8 purpose alive by ! con/ant       
/ruggle to rea* 8 goal4 ,! mom5t        
ambition sags1 we lose ! =ce t propels  
u2 & once our propell+ p[] is gone we   
drift ) ! tide ( circum/ances4  8,! y\? 
:o does n look up w look d[n1 & ! _s t  
does n so> is de/9$ to grovel40  ,a "y  
/5ograph] said to me once t if %e felt  
sure %e _h ! ability to become an exp]t 

lit]>y /5ograph]1 %e w\ld g to ev5+     
s*ool & w\ld /udy nights & holidays1 &  
improve h]self 9 e possible way2 b if %e
 0 conv9c$ t %e c\ld nev] atta9 v great 
spe$1 %e w\ld simply prep>e h]self =    
ord9>y lett] dictation1 & let x g at t4 
,%e did n seem to ?9k t mak+ ! mo/      
possible ( :at ability %e _h w\ld give  
h] a correspond+ly good position1 or t !
 be/ possible tra9+ %e c\ld give h]self 
w\ld be ! be/ possible inve/m5t %e c\ld 
make1 & w\ld give h] inf9ite            
satisfaction4  ,! less ability y h1 my  
"y fri5d1 ! m important x is t y make ! 
mo/ possible out ( x4 ,if y are oblig$  
to get y\r liv+1 &1 "s ( y1 to support a
 family & make a home ) "o tal5t1 y     
c]ta9ly ne$ to make ! mo/ possible out (
 x1 & to put =? mu* great] ef=t ?an if y
 _h be5 giv5 t5 tal5ts4     ,,*apt]     
,,vii  ,,visualize ,,y\rself ,,9 ,a     
,,bett] ,,position   ,no matt] 9 :at    
bus9ess y may be1 or :at y\r pr(ession1 
y\r prime ambition %\ld be to atta9 a   
high-wat] m>k 9 x4 ,! love ( excell5ce  

is ! lode/> t leads ! _w onw>d4 ,x is   
?is t makes n only ! successful bus9ess 
or pr(essional man1 b also ! all-r\nd   
successful p]son 9 any l9e ( endeavor4  
,&rew ,c>negie said1 8,i w\ld n give a  
fig = ! "y man 9 bus9ess :o does n      
already see himself a p>tn]1 or ! head (
 ! firm40  ,d n re/ = a mom5t 9 y\r     
?\ght ( y\rself z a head cl]k1 =eman1 or
 manag] 9 any conc]n1 no matt] h[ big x 
is4 ,say ea* day to y\rself1 8,my place 
is high] up40 ,be k+ 9 y\r dreams4 ,v[ t
 y w rea* ! position ) unt>ni%$         
reputation1 & make no o!r v[ to di/ract 
y\r att5tion4  ,i am frequ5tly ask$ by  
y\?s & "y m5 :e!r ,i ?9k !y really h    
en\gh 9 !m to make mu* ( a success 9    
life1 any?+ t w be di/9ctive or wor?    
:ile1 & ,i answ]1 8,yes1 y h4 ,i "k y h 
! ability to succe$1 b ,i don't "k t y  
w4 ,t re/s entirely ) y4 ,if y h ! en]gy
 & ! w to succe$ no?+ c hold y back4 ,b 
if y h n1 no am\nt ( education1 no pull 
or influ5ce1 no p[] on e>? outside (    
y\rself c pu% or lead or boo/ y into    

success40  ,!re is no?+ s important 9   
y\r life z y\r m5tal attitude t[>ds     
y\rself1 :at y ?9k ( y\rself1 ! model   
:i* y hold ( y\rself & y\r              
possibilities4 ,if ?is is small1 n>r[1 &
 dw>f$ y\r life w correspond4  ,y mu/   
see y\rself above a cl]k%ip or y w nev] 
be any?+ high] ?an a cl]k4 ,y mu/       
visualize y\rself 9 a bett] position1 & 
hold con/antly a grim det]m9ation to    
rea* x or y w nev] get !re4 ,nev] = a   
mom5t blur y\r motive or weak5 y\r      
det]m9ation by h>bor+ a d\bt ( y\r      
ability to rea* y\r goal4 ,:5ev] y d ?is
 y are neutraliz+ j s mu* ( ! =ce :i*   
w\ld take y !re4  ,rememb]1 !re is a    
p>tn]%ip wait+ = y some:]e if y are big 
en\gh & det]m9$ en\gh & h pluck en\gh to
 take x4 ,if y d n !re is probably      
someone v ne> y :o w d s1 someone :o    
p]haps has n _h ne>ly z good an         
opportunity z y h _h4 ,& 9 ! ye>s to    
come1 if y d n take advantage ( ?is     
opportunity to climb1 y w no d\bt1      
grumble at y\r 8ill luck0 & wond] h[    

,billy or ,johnny or ,jo1 :o work$      
alongside ( y1 manag$ to get ! p>tn]%ip 
or covet$ position4  ,a rec5t writ]     
says3 8,my advice to all ^? j />t+ to   
travel life's turnpike is3 #8,don't />t 
until y h y\r ideal4 ,!n don't /op until
 y get x4'0  ,v few ( u realize h[      
dep5d5t our gr[? is on "s special       
/imulus4 ,e act mu/ h a motive4 ,we d   
no?+ outside ( our automatic habitual   
acts )\t an und]ly+ motive4 ,p]haps !   
/rong] life motive ( ! av]age man is t  
:i* comes f 8 desire to get up 9 ! _w4  
,illu/ration3 ,copyright1 #aijj1 by     
,mc,clure1 ,phillips  ,co4  ,,l9coln    
,,/udy+ ,,by ,,! ,,firelight4  ,!re 0 a 
=ce beh9d ,l9coln :i* drove him f a log 
cab9 up to ! ,:ite ,h\se4 ,!re 0 a      
vision ( ! ,nor? ,pole :i* haunt$ ,pe>y1
 fill$ him ) ambition to climb to !     
e>?'s utt]mo/ b\nd>y1 & f9ally drove    
him1 aft] repeat$ failures1 to ! ,pole4 
,! same indomitable inn] =ce urg$ !     
despis$ "y ,jew1 ,b5jam9 ,disraeli1 to  
pu% 8 way up ?r\gh ! l[] classes 9      

,engl&1 up ?r\gh ! middle classes1 up   
?r\gh ! upp] classes1 until he /ood a   
ma/]1 self-pois$1 ^u ! topmo/ r\nd (    
political & social p[]1 ! prime m9i/] ( 
! greate/ c\ntry 9 ! _w4  ,! /ory ( ^?  
m5 is ! same at bottom z t ( e man :o   
has atta9$ greatness4 ,!y 7 cont9ually  
urg$ =w>d & upw>d by "s inw>d prompt+ !y
 c\ld n resi/4  ,?is in/9ctive impulse  
to keep pu%+ on & up is ! mo/ curi\s & !
 mo/ int]e/+ ?+ 9 human life4 ,x exi/s 9
 e normal human be+1 & is j z pron\nc$ &
 z real z ! in/9ct ( self-pres]vation4  
,^u ?is climb+ in/9ct re/s ! de/9y ( !  
race4 ,)\t x m5 w\ld /ill be savages1 & 
liv+ 9 caves & huts4 ,civilization1 z we
 "k x1 w\ld n exi/4 ,!re w\ld be no     
great cities1 no great factories1 no    
railroads1 no /eam%ips1 no beautiful    
homes or p>ks1 pictures1 sculpture or   
books1 b = ?is my/]i\s urge :i* we call 
ambition4  ,! be/ ( e man's "w is above 
& beyond himself1 & is accompli%$ 9 !   
/ruggle to atta9 a l(ty ideal4 ,! arti/ 
/&s aside & po9ts ?r\gh 8 "w to a       

glimpse ( ! univ]sal art4 ,9 8 inspir$  
mom5ts ! individuality ( ! orator is    
melt$ & fus$ into ! all-p]vad+ fire (   
eloqu5ce4 ,9 art or bus9ess1 9 sci5ce or
 ! daily commonplace tasks ( life1 !    
gods w move along t[>d ! l9e ( absolute 
excell5ce or !y w leave u to our own    
devices4  ,we d our mo/ effective "w 9  
our /ruggle to get :at we are aft]1 to  
arrive at ! goal ( our ambition4 ,we put
 =? our greate/ ef=t1 our mo/ /r5u\s    
endeavor1 :ile we are climb+1 n aft] we 
h arriv$ at our goal4 ,?is is "o reason 
:y ri* m5's sons r>ely a*ieve any great 
p]sonal success4 ,!y lack ! climb+      
motive ( necessity1 t trem5d\s urge1 !  
prodd+ ( ambition :i* drives u on to    
a*ieve :at we desire & are capable (    
atta9+4 ,ambition is ! lead] ( all great
 a*ievem5t4 ,x is ! =]unn] :i* goes     
ahead & cle>s a way = ! o!r faculties4  
,! ambition is n always a safe guide1   
h[ev]4 ,!re are two w+s to g5ius4       
,common s5se & good judgm5t mu/         
accompany ! ambition1 or x w v (t5 run  

away ) a man4 ,we h se5 spl5did pieces (
 ma*9]y1 ^: iron f+]s w\ld pun* holes   
?r\gh solid /eel plates )\t a s+le j>4  
,! ma*9]y accompli%es ?is wond]ful feat 
because ( a huge balance-:eel4 ,x is !  
/or$-up p[]1 velocity1 & mom5tum :i*    
enable x to accompli% ?is wond]ful task4
 ,take away ! balance-:eel1 & ! ma*9]y1 
:i* does its "w z easily z a cook w\ld  
make ! holes 9 roll$-out pa/ry1 falls   
all to pieces ! mom5t ! balance-:eel is 
remov$4 ,! balance-:eel is ! secret4 ,! 
judgm5t is man's balance-:eel--great    
common s5se1 horse s5se4 ,8 ambition w  
run away ) him if he does n h ?is4  ,!  
"y man :o ov]e/imates 8 ability1 :o     
plunges beyond 8 dep?1 :o is            
ov]-confid5t1 ^: self-tru/ is n bas$ ^u 
an accurate k ( 8 ability & limitations1
 almo/ always comes to grief4 ,x is j z 
necess>y to "k :at y are n qualifi$ =1 &
 to let x alone1 z to "k :at y c d1 & d 
x4  8,/udy y\rself10 says ,longfell[1 8&
 mo/ ( all1 note well :]e9 k9d nature   
meant y to excel40  ,x takes a giant to 

d a giant's "w4 ,:at a ,morgan or a     
,c>negie w\ld d ) p]fect ease & safety1 
might be z impossible = y to accompli% z
 to lift y\rself by y\r own boot /raps4 
,on ! o!r h&1 y may be able to d some?+ 
:i* ev5 a ,morgan c\ld n d4 ,/udy y\r   
own adaptations4 ,try to get a measure (
 y\r possibilities4  ,a man %\ld e>ly   
take an inv5tory ( 8 ability & locate   
himself :]e he belongs4 ,if he has b "o 
tal5t he %\ld n try to tra9 ) ! t5-tal5t
 man4 ,he %\ld simply try to make ! mo/ 
( 8 "o tal5t4  ,x is impossible to make 
"o tal5t d ! "w ( t5 tal5ts1 no matt] h[
 ambiti\s1 or h[ mu* en]gy "o may fl+   
into 8 "w4  ,a great bra9 does a great  
?+ easily4 ,we all d our be/ "w )\t     
ov]/ra9+4 ,x is dang]\s to ov]-tax "o's 
faculties4  ,i h se5 a college /ud5t :o 
has ov]/ra9$ 8 bra9 until he has s]i\sly
 m>r$ 8 m5tal p[] 9 ! fooli% ef=t to try
 to head 8 class :5 he 0 n a natural    
s*ol>4 ,he seem$ to ?9k t by mak+ a     
sup]human ef=t1 /udy+ all ! "t :5 o!rs 7
 at play1 dur+ holidays & ,sundays1     

always plugg+1 plugg+1 plugg+1--he c\ld 
ov]come any h&icap4 ,:ile he manag$ to  
come pretty ne> lead+ 8 class he nev]   
completely ralli$ f ! effects ( ov]/ra9+
 8 bra94  ,x is a great ?+ to be able to
 measure our tal5ts1 to und]/& ourselves
 s ?or\ghly t we w und]take j s mu* z we
 are able to accompli%1 & w n aim at !  
unatta9able4     ,,*apt] ,,viii  ,,?w>t$
 ,,ambition   ,all ab\t u we see p :o   
seem to h no special ze/ 9 life1 no     
great en?usiasm = any?+2 !re is a great 
disappo9tm5t some:]e 9 _! lives4 ,:y are
 !y s unhappy8  ,no "o loses 8 int]e/ 9 
life1 or becomes indiff]5t to 8 "w      
unless he has be5 ?w>t$ 9 ! c>ry+ out ( 
8 ambition1 or = "s o!r reason has be5  
unable to f9d 8 "r place 9 life4 ,:]ev] 
we see discont5t1 unhapp9ess1 unre/1 we 
may be sure t ! p]son exhibit+ ^!       
conditions is a r\nd peg 9 a squ>e hole1
 or has n be5 able to realize 8 dreams4 
,= "s reason 8 he>t has be5 *eat$ ( its 
ideal4 ,a ?w>t$ ambition seems to wr5* !
 :ole nature out ( its normal orbit4    

,!re is no suff]+1 except remorse1 s    
fatal z t :i* comes f ! consci\sness (  
bla/$ hope1 /ifl$ aspiration4 ,to be    
consci\s t "o possesses decid$ ability =
 "s p>ticul> call+1 & to be compell$ by 
circum/ances1 ye> aft] ye>1 to be *a9$  
to drudg]y :i* ! he>t loa!s1 requires   
supreme c\rage4 ,to feel t !re is no    
probability1 or ev5 possibility1 ( ev]  
be+ able to express t great hungry      
long+1 p5t up 9 ! he>t1 fill+ x almo/ to
 bur/+1 to drag ?r\gh ! we>y ye>s try+  
to be *e]ful & hopeful & helpful to ^?  
"o loves & yet to feel t 8 devotion to  
!m has made ! o!r ?+ impossible to him1 
to suff] 9 sil5ce disappo9tm5t :i* makes
 ! he>t sick1 is ! greate/ te/ ( real   
manhood or womanhood4  ,x is v easy to  
criticize o!r p :o h n ris5 9 ! _w1 z   
p]haps we h2 b !y may be h]oes comp>$ ) 
u4 ,we c nev] tell :at trag$ies may be  
go+ on 9 _! he>ts1 or f :at tortures (  
disappo9t$ ambition & bla/$ hopes !y may
 be suff]+4 ,to be compell$ to g ?r\gh  
life )\t any possibility ( satisfy+ !   

great s\l hung]1 ( realiz+ ! inf9ite    
long+s ( ! he>t1 is torture4 ,!re is no 
comp5sation = ?is except f ! s5se ( duty
 done to o!rs :o w\ld h suff]$ _h we    
tri$ to realize our ambition4  ,i "k a  
beautiful woman1 ( *>m+ p]sonality1 :o  
has a great musical tal5t1 a sup]b voice
 & yet1 %e sc>cely d>es m5tion ! subject
 ( music 9 ! pres5ce ( h] husb&1 :o     
flies into a passion at ! m]e sugge/ion 
( h] develop+ h] wond]ful tal5t4  ,all (
 h] fri5ds ?9k x is crim9al ( h] n to   
use h] great gift b %e feels =c$ to     
smo!r h] ambition4 ,h] husb&1 al?\gh    
well able to meet ! exp5se w n consid]  
h] tak+ lessons or mak+ any ef=t to     
improve ?is ,god-giv5 tal5t4 ,! result  
is a blight is sett+ on ?is woman's     
life4  ,%e tries to be *e]ful & to d h] 
duty2 b ^? :o und]/& h] c see ! sl[     
/rangulation processes go+ on1 :i* is   
und]m9+ h] ambition & de/roy+ h] heal?4 
,i rec5tly he>d ?r\gh a piano deal] (   
ano!r woman ( great musical tal5t :o )  
money bequea!d to h] pur*as$ a          

beautiful1 long$-= piano4 ,h] husb& made
 life s unbe>able to h] because ( x t %e
 return$ x to ! mak]s1 :o1 appreciat+ h]
 position1 g5]\sly return$ to h] ! money
 paid !m = x4  ,is !re any?+ m cruel ?an
 to /rangle a tal5t :i* 0 int5d$ to be a
 p]petual joy z well z to give u        
success8 ,is !re any?+ m wick$ ?an to   
murd] a div9e ambition1 to de/roy sacr$ 
aspirations2 any?+ m cruel ?an to make a
 human be+ mis]able :o is int5d$ to be  
happy1 to rob "o ( all possibility ( do+
 t :i* %e 0 made to d8 ,yet !re are     
?\s&s ( husb&s :o are do+ ?is1 & !y     
wond] :y _! wives are n always buoyant &
 bubbl+ ov] ) vivacity & life1 :y !y are
 n always *e]ful1 hopeful & res\rceful4 
,_m husb&s d n mean to be selfi% 9 _!   
home life1 & really believe !y are      
g5]\s1 b _! m9ds are s focus$ ^u        
!mselves & _! ambition t !y c only ?9k (
 a wife 9 ref]5ce to !mselves4 ,:]eas ! 
highe/ love has ! highe/ welf>e ( !     
individual at he>t1 n its own4          
,ambition (t5 bl9ds "o to ju/ice4  ,!re 

is no?+ m pitiable ?an to see a man !   
victim ( an inord9ate1 selfi% ambition  
to advance himself at all co/s1 to ga9  
fame1 or notoriety1 or pleasure1 no     
matt] :o is sacrific$ 9 ! process4  ,_m 
wom5 h a m>vel\s way ( hid+ _! griefs1  
cov]+ up _! disappo9tm5t2 b su*         
disappo9tm5t may m> ! :ole life4  ,!re  
is some?+ s utt]ly disc\rag+1 di%e>t5+1 
9 be+ =c$ to give up ! c>e]s !y long =1 
t ! nature nev] entirely rallies f !    
%ock4 ,ev]y:]e we see ^! burn$-out %ells
 ( individuals :o h be5 robb$ ( _!      
normal pursuit4 ,!y are ambitionless1   
re/less1 ineffective weakl+s1 m]e       
pygmies ( _! possible selves4  ,ella    
,:eel] ,wilcox gives "s wise advice t ! 
dissatisfi$ & unhappy man or woman ^:   
ambition has be5 ?w>t$ may he$ to       
advantage4  8,d n wa/e y\r vitality 9   
hat+ y\r life2 f9d some?+ 9 x :i* is    
wor? lik+ & enjoy+1 :ile y keep /eadily 
at "w to make x :at y desire10 %e says4 
8,be happy ov] some?+ e day1 = ! bra9 is
 a ?+ ( habit1 & y _c tea* x to be happy

 9 a mom5t1 if y all[ x to be mis]able =
 ye>s40  ,!re is a p[]ful tonic 9 hold+ 
! conviction t y are 9 ! _w = a purpose1
 t y are "h to help1 t y h a "p to p]=m 
:i* no "o else c take = y1 because e "o 
else has 8 own "p to fill 9 ! great life
 drama4 ,if y d n act y\r role1 !re w be
 some?+ lack+1 a want 9 ! production4   
,no "o ev] am\nts to mu* until he feels 
?is pressure--t he 0 made to accompli% a
 c]ta9 ?+ 9 ! _w1 to fill a def9ite "p4 
,!n life seems to take on a new mean+4  
8,few ( u10 says ,sir ,john ,lubbock1   
8realize ! wond]ful privileges ( liv+2 !
 bless+s we inh]it1 ! glories & beauties
 ( ! ,univ]se :i* are our own if we     
*oose to h x s2 ! ext5t to :i* we c make
 ourselves :at we wi% to be2 or ! p[] we
 possess ( secur+ peace1 ( triumph+ ov] 
pa9 & sorr[40  ,we g ?r\gh life ) our   
eyes /eadily fix$ on "s di/ant goal1    
/ra9+ e n]ve to rea* x4 ,we pass on our 
way opportunities innum]able ( help+    
o!rs ov] r\gh places1 ( bright5+ &      
beautify+ ! commonplace life ( e day4 ,b

 we see !m n4  ,man 0 made = gr[?2 to   
realize peace1 poise1 satisfaction4  ,an
 ambition to be a man1 to /& = m 9 !    
community1 to pu% our horizon f>!r &    
f>!r away f u1 to ?9k a little high] ea*
 day1 to ?9k a little m ( ourselves1 to 
h a little m fai? 9 ourselves & 9       
ev]ybody else1 an ambition to be ( real 
use 9 ! _w is an ambition wor?y ( ! man 
,god creat$1 & _c b br+ happ9ess to !   
individual4  ,9 ! :ite light ( hi/ory1  
be=e ! tribunal ( ju/ice1 we %all n be  
judg$ = :at we seem to be or h a*iev$1 b
 = :at we are & by :at we h tri$ to d4  
,9 ! judgm5t ( ?is tribunal1 f :i* !re  
is no appeal1 _m failures w be approv$ z
 successes1 & _m successes w be adjudg$ 
failures4  ,x w be easy to f9d ! /ory ( 
"s boy :o rema9$ on ! f>m & help$ pay ! 
mortgage1 /ifl$ 8 ambition 9 ord] t !   
favorite bro!r might be s5t to college1 
& !reby scor$ a mu* great] success ?an !
 "o = :om ! sacrifice 0 made4  ,! girl  
:o smo!r$ h] long+s = a high] education 
or sacrific$ ! prospects ( m>riage & a  

home ( h] own1 9 ord] to take c>e ( h]  
ag$ p>5ts1 & 0 n kn[n outside ( h]      
little cot]ie ( fri5ds1 may h h] "n     
record$ f> high] on ! honor roll ?an t (
 ! si/] :o w5t to college1 or became a  
great au?or1 musician1 arti/ or actress4
  ,9 imp]i%able *>act]s !re w be        
inscrib$ on ! success roll ( honor names
 unfamili> to mo/ ( u1 ! names ( ^? :o  
nobly p]=m$ humble p>ts 9 life2 ! unkn[n
 work]s = humanity1 ! h]oic suff]]s1--"s
 bl9d1 "s crippl$ or h&icapp$ by ! loss 
( h&s or feet1 or tortur$ by incurable  
diseases1--:o1 ) a =titude equal to t ( 
! m>tyrs ( old1 took up life's burd5s & 
bravely made ! mo/ ( ! p[]s &           
opportunities be/[$ ^u !m by !          
,almighty4     ,,*apt] ,,ix  ,,:y       
,,don',t ,,y ,,beg98   ,:5 d y expect to
 d ! wond]ful ?+s y h be5 dream+ ab\t8  
,:y don't y beg98 ,:at are y wait+ =8   
,:y don't y />t8 ,are y wait+ = a 8good 
?+0 to come to y1 wait+ = influ5ce1 =   
pull1 = "s "o to help y8  ,d y "k t no?+
 is m demoraliz+ to ! life1 weak5+ to ! 

"*1 ?an to be con/antly wi%+ & dream+ ( 
! great ?+s we are go+ to d )\t a       
correspond+ ef=t to actualize our       
dreams8 ,wi%+ )\t a correspond+ ef=t to 
realize deg5]ates ! m9d1 de/roys        
initiative4  ,h[ _m p deceive !mselves  
into ?9k+ t if !y keep aspir+1 if !y    
keep long+ to c>ry out _! ideals1 to    
rea* _! ambition1 !y w1 )\t any o!r     
ef=t1 actually realize _! dreams6 ,!y d 
n seem to "k t !re is su* a ?+ z aspir+ 
too mu*1 z =m+ ! dream+ habit to "o's   
injury4  ,our visions are ! plans ( !   
possible life /ructure2 b !y w end m]ely
 9 plans if we d n p]si/5tly foll[ !m up
 ) a vigor\s ef=t to make !m real2 j z !
 ar*itect's plans w end 9 8 draw+s if !y
 are n foll[$ up & made real by !       
build]4  ,?ree ?+s we mu/ d to make our 
dreams come true4 ,visualize our desire4
 ,conc5trate on our vision4 ,"w to br+ x
 into ! actual4 ,! implem5ts necess>y = 
?is are inside ( u1 n outside4 ,no matt]
 :at ! accid5ts ( bir? or =tune1 !re is 
only "o =ce by :i* we c fa%ion our life 

mat]ial--m9d4  ,all m5 :o h a*iev$ great
 ?+s h be5 dream]s1 & :at !y h          
accompli%$ has be5 j 9 proportion to !  
vividness1 ! en]gy & p]si/5cy ) :i* !y  
visualiz$ _! ideals2 held to _! dreams &
 /ruggl$ to make !m come true4  8,! cry+
 evil ( ! "y man :o ent]s ! bus9ess _w  
to-day is ! lack ( application1         
prep>ation1 ?or\ghness1 ) ambition b )\t
 ! will+ness to /ruggle to ga9 8 desir$ 
end10 says ,!odore ,n4 ,vail4  ,x is "o 
?+ to h ! ability & ! desire to d some?+
 di/9ctive1 some?+ individual1 b do+ x  
is a v diff]5t ?+4 ,!re is a trem5d\s   
am\nt ( unproductive ability 9 ! great  
failure army to-day4 ,:y didn't ! m5 :o 
h x make some?+ ( !mselves8 ,_m ( ^? m5 
c\ld be prosp]\s1 successful m5 ( /&+ 9 
_! community1 in/ead ( m5dicants 9 a    
bread l9e4 ,!y _h ! opportunity to make 
good4 ,:y didn't !y8  ,x is a good ?+ to
 ask ourselves e n[ & !n :e!r we are    
mak+ good2 :e!r we are mak+ ! mo/ ( our 
opportunities2 :e!r we are go+ up or    
d[n4 ,oliv] ,w5del ,holmes says x does n

 matt] s mu* :]e we /& z ! direction 9  
:i* we are mov+4  ,9 :at direction are y
 mov+8  ,!re are ?\s&s ( p 9 ?is c\ntry 
to-day :o h spl5did ambitions1 :o h made
 resolutions to c>ry out ^? ambitions1 b
 :o are c[]+ victims ( d\bt1 :i* keeps  
!m f mak+ a />t4 ,!y are j wait+4 ,!y   
are unable to make a beg9n+ :ile ?is    
mon/] /&s at ! door ( _! resolution4 ,!y
 are afraid to burn _! bridges beh9d !m1
 to commit !mselves to _! purpose4  ,at 
! v outset ( y\r c>e] x is a spl5did ?+ 
to make up y\r m9d t y are go+ to be a  
conqu]or 9 life1 t y are go+ to be ! k+ 
( y\r m5tal realm & n a slave to any    
trea*]\s enemy2 t y w *oose ! wise/     
c\rse1 &1 no matt] h[ =bidd+ or =midable
 ! difficulties 9 ! way1 t y w take !   
turn+ :i* po9ts t[>d ! goal ( y\r       
ambition1 no matt] :o or :at may b> y\r 
onw>d pa?4 ,don't let d\bt balk y\r     
ef=ts4 ,don't let x p>alyze y\r beg9n+ &
 make y a pigmy s t y w n half try to   
make good :5 y h a wait+ giant 9 y4     
,confid5ce1 self-assurance1             

self-fai?--^! are ! great fri5ds :i* w  
kill ! traitor d\bt4  ,! fact t y h an  
almo/ uncontrollable impulse1 a great   
absorb+ ambition to d a ?+ :i* meets ) !
 approval ( y\r judgm5t & y\r bett]     
self1 is a notice s]v$ ^u y t y c d !   
?+1 & %\ld d x at once4  ,d n be afraid 
( tak+ responsibilities4 ,make up y\r   
m9d t y w assume any responsibility :i* 
comes to y along ! l9e ( y\r legitimate 
c>e] & t y w be> x a little bett] ?an   
anybody else ev] be=e has4 ,!re is no   
great] mi/ake 9 ! _w ?an t ( po/pon+    
pres5t responsibility ?9k+ t we w be    
bett] prep>$ to assume x lat]4 ,x is    
accept+ ^! positions z !y come to u t   
gives u ! prep>ation2 = we c d no?+ (   
importance easily1 effectively1 until we
 h done x s _m times t x becomes a      
habit4  ,h[ (t5 we he> p make rem>ks l  
?is3 8,i "k t ,i ought to d ?is ?+      
to-day1 b ,i d n believe ,i w10 or 8,i d
 n feel l x40 ,s !y1 p]haps1            
procra/9ate1 or let ! ?+ slide along1 & 
d j ! opposite to :at !y "k !y ought to 

d4  ,if ^? :o are disappo9t$ ) :at !y h 
s f> accompli%$1 w\ld only make up _!   
m9ds t = "o mon? !y w\ld =ce !mselves to
 d ! ?+s !y dislike1 b :i* !y "k w\ld be
 = _! good1 !y w\ld get a new />t on !  
success road1 a grip on !mselves & _!   
possibilities4 ,_! :ole "w sy/em w\ld   
feel ! resultant tonic4  ,on ! v        
resolution to d ! ?+ :i* is be/ = y--no 
matt] h[ disagreeable1 no matt] h[      
humiliat+1 no matt] h[ mu* y may suff] f
 s5sitiv5ess or a feel+ (               
unprep>$ness--dep5ds ! developm5t ( y\r 
manhood1 or womanhood4  ,:y be afraid to
 dem& great ?+s ( y\rself8 ,affirm y\r  
ability to d & be & p[]s :i* y nev]     
dream$ y possess$ w leap to y\r         
assi/ance4 8,tru/ ?yself4 ,e he>t       
vibrates to t iron /r+40  ,!re is no "o 
t c %ut ! door :i* leads to any         
legitimate ambition1 to a l>g]1 full]   
life1 b y\rself4 ,!re are no ob/acles1  
no difficulties1 no p[] on e>?1 no?+ b  
y\rself t c make ,god's promise to man  
void3 8,behold1 ,i h set be=e y an op5  

door :i* no man c %ut40  ,we are all    
res]voirs ( p[]1 & :at we make (        
ourselves1 :at we a*ieve 9 life1 is n   
dep5d5t on ! outw>d ?+s1 b on ! ext5t to
 :i* we draw on our hidd5 =ces1 our     
lat5t tal5ts & res\rces4  ,:atev] comes 
to u 9 life we create fir/ 9 our        
m5tality4 ,z ! build+ is a reality 9 all
 its details 9 ! ar*itect's m9d be=e a  
/one or brick is laid1 s we create      
m5tally ev]y?+ :i* lat] becomes a       
reality 9 our a*ievem5t4 ,our he>t      
long+s1 our s\l aspirations1 are some?+ 
m ?an m]e vapor+s ( imag9ation4 ,!y are 
prophecies1 pr$ictions1 c\ri]s1 =]unn]s 
( ?+s t c become realities4  ,hold !    
picture1 ! plan ( ! man or woman y long 
to be & t y are resolv$ to be1 & /ick to
 y\r m5tal plan ( a glori\s future4 ,d n
 give up 9 y\r disc\rag$ mom5ts or all[ 
any ob/acle to blur y\r ideals4 ,p]si/ 9
 visualiz+ ! ideal man y are det]m9$ to 
be1 & always ?9k ( y\rself z y are      
ambiti\s to become4 ,?is m5tal attitude 
w help y to mat* y\r dream ) its        

reality4 ,!re is a magnetic1 attractive 
p[] 9 su* a mighty purpose1 9 cl++ to "o
 unwav]+ aim4 ,?is sort ( m5tal attitude
 & ef=t w e/abli% y\r relation betwe5   
y\rself & ! ?+ y are seek+4   ,,! ,,end