The wisest thing you can do is to discover the most useful qualities of your Ancestry inside yourself, and begin to weave — from where it left off — greater and bigger things.
Ancestry stock goes up every time you do your work better To-day than Yesterday.
A story is told of Ney, one of Napoleon’s famous Marshals. At a banquet during the Russian campaign, a brilliant woman had been telling Ney of her wonderful Ancestry, when suddenly she questioned: “By the way, Marshal Ney, who were YOUR Ancestors?” “Madam,” answered Ney, “I, myself, am an Ancestor!”
After all, the task of being an Ancestor is mighty serious business. It is enough to put us all on our mettle and make us work to force the Red Blood into our Arteries.
In just the proportion that men and women render Service in this world do they forget their own selfish interests and begin to plan out and deal in “the Futures” of their Race. The man who will but get this truth imbedded into his system cannot fail to be a better Clerk, Lawyer, Business Man, Father — or Citizen. And no woman can take this idea to heart without putting Luster to the important duties of her life.
Ancestors? Why, we are ALL Ancestors!
To-Morrow
To the fellow who never accomplished anything To-morrow is what happened yesterday, but which he seeks to make happen to-day.
The thing put off until To-morrow is rarely done To-day.
The great Task FINISHED is always the task done To-day, while yet there is Time, while yet there is inclination, while yet there is life and health — while yet there is Chance.
The thing put off until To-morrow is rarely done To-day.
Some of the biggest things ever accomplished were done in a day. Napoleon was banished to a living Hell — on a lonely rock with armed watchers hedged about him — for the simple reason that Blucher decided to do his part with Wellington without any courting with To-morrow. To-morrow for Grouchy meant Defeat for Napoleon for Blucher, “made good” To-day.
The thing put off until To-morrow is rarely done To-day.
It may be easier to do things To-morrow than To-day, but if you take the Chance, the one best bet is that they won’t get done. Money earned To-day represents Dividends for you To-morrow. Work entered into and done To-day renders back Ease and Satisfaction Tomorrow. Records made To-day, inspire and lead great armies of fighters To-morrow. But —
The thing put off until To-morrow is rarely done To-day.
The Liar
Lying is the most despicable of all Crimes. The Liar is the King of Criminals. The last dean spot in a man’s raiment turns Crimson when he takes up the Business of Lying.
Truth is the Highest Thing a man can keep.
The Heart of an honest man melts away almost unto Death in the presence of the Liar. The very mercy of a kind God blushes with bowed head in Sadness at the sight and sound of the man who plies his Lies. Scorned by Society, the very Soul of the Liar revolts at the carrying about of Bones and Flesh so vile.
Truth is the Highest Thing a man can keep.
Recently a young man, large of Mind and Future, left his employment with a lie upon his lips. Coming into the seething whirl of the Great New York he sought his former friends. Immediately he began to hand out a stock of Lies. More abominably than any abandoned thief he slyly exchanged his Lies for Favors and for Gold. Then nervously yet quietly sneaking away under cover of his Lies, his Soul naked of Honor and Character, he sought refuge under his own-made Tent of Lies. There Self-convicted he now awaits Judgment.
Truth is the Highest Thing a man can keep.
Mark Twain spoke more than humor when he said: “When in doubt, speak the Truth.” Even the Devil hates a Liar — one of his own children. And Nature itself doses its eyes in shame as the Liar passes by.
Truth is the Highest Thing a man can keep.
You — Young Man, Young Woman, Business Builder, Doer of Things — whoever you are, and in whatever groove you work your way — Listen! Starve — die, rather than Lie. Flee from the presence of a Lie as from the Plague. Grasp the dean, strong hand of Truth and follow in its path through the livelong hours of every single passing day. Remembering that —
Truth is the Highest Thing a man can keep.
Forward
This is a talk to Women. Both Unmarried and Married. The theme insures Happiness and Inspiration. It has to do with Advancement. Here it is —
Keep Step.
Keep Step with The Man. For he has mostly secured his Steps to something better from you. Behind the Greatness and Work of every man there has always been the name of some noble woman who was greater than the Deed or Work performed by The Man. The world will always bow its head in reverence at the naming of the Mothers and Wives of the Makers of History.
Keep Step.
The young fellow whose name you hope to link to yours — he is taking his “cue” these days from you. You, who already have him with you — how about it? Is he getting his Steps from you? And are you Keeping Step? If not, start now to —
Keep Step.
A man is as great as the Woman who loves him — makes and wants him to be. A great Man can never be greater than a great woman who helps make him great. Your Power is his. But if you give no Power, his clipped wings make him walk sadly alone. His fight then may become one against the Inevitable.
Keep Step.
As he Learns — you Learn. As he Climbs — you Climb. As he Fights — you Fight. As he Wins — you Win. As long as this world lasts, you, who sometimes think yourself “just a woman’’ will lead and rule. It’s your Kingdom, after all. But in the Home, in Business, and before the eyes of people in Public, this must be your love and your life — with The Man —
Keep Step.
Ragged Edges
Back of all the tragedy of Failure there is always the tragic truth of Neglect and Slight — edges left ragged and incomplete.
Finish up as you Go.
A few years ago a young man in a Western College got restless and discouraged. He wanted to leave his course unfinished. He sought the advice of a successful man and this was the advice: “Stick it out. Finish Something. There are too many men now with Ragged Edges crowding the ranks.” The young man Finished his College course with honors. To-day he is a Leader and a Success.
Finish up as you Go.
Many a man stops work with the clock. He leaves his day’s work with Ragged Edges. He is the man who starts his days with Ragged Edges, and finally rounds out an incomplete life.
Finish up as you Go.
There is a satisfaction and a feeling of latent Strength in the breast of a man who Starts a thing — and Finishes it. You will find this true if you do it. The most important task is always the task at hand. Complete it. Make it stand square and clean when you leave it. Look it over. Be sure no Ragged Edges remain.
Finish up as you Go.
Make Thoroughness one of your Masters. Searchingly note the trifles. Get them together and know them. For out of them comes — Perfection.
Finish up as you Go.
Bystanders
In life you are either on the Side Lines or else in the Game. If you are on