Persistency of purpose is a power. It creates confidence in others. Everybody believes in the determined man. When he undertakes anything, his battle is half won, because not only he himself, but everyone who knows him, believes that he will accomplish whatever he sets out to do. People know that it is useless to oppose a man who uses his stumbling-blocks as stepping-stones; who is not afraid of defeat; who never, in spite of calumny or criticism, shrinks from his task; who never shirks responsibility; who always keeps his compass pointed to the north star of his purpose, no matter what storms may rage about him.
What good would it do to oppose such a man as Grant? One might as well attempt to snub the sun. There were many more brilliant men in the Northern army, but no other was so dogged, so persistent in purpose as Grant. He could see but one thing — the triumphant end. It did not matter how long it might take to reach that end. It must be fought out on that line "if it took all summer."
Napoleon was much more brilliant than Wellington, but was not a match for him in dogged persistence. The iron duke could stick to a losing campaign with as much determination as to a winning one. He didn't know how to beat a retreat.
The persistent man never stops to consider whether he is succeeding or not. The only question with him is how to push ahead, to get a little further along, a little nearer his goal. Whether it lead over mountains, rivers or morasses, he must reach it. Every other consideration is sacrificed to this one dominant purpose.
The success of a dull or average youth and the failure of a brilliant one is a constant surprise in American history. But if the different cases are closely analyzed we shall find that the explanation lies in the staying power of the seemingly dull boy, the ability to stand firm as a rock under all circumstances, to allow nothing to divert him from his purpose, while the brilliant but erratic boy, lacking the rudder of a firm purpose, neutralizes his power and wastes his energy by dissipating them in several directions.
We often find that boys who have educated themselves in the country, almost without schooling or teachers, make the most vigorous thinkers. They may not be quite as polished or cultivated in some ways, but they have something better than polish, and that is menial vigor, originality of method, and independence. They do not lean upon their schooling, or depend upon their diplomas; necessity has been their teacher, and they have been forced to act for themselves and be practical; they know little of theories, but they know what will work. They have gained power by solving their own problems. Such self-educated, self-made men carry weight in their communities because they are men of power and think vigorously and strongly; they have learned to concentrate the mind.
Self-help is the only help that will make strong, vigorous lives. Self-reliance is a great educator and early poverty a good teacher. Necessity has ever been the priceless spur which has called man out of himself and spurred him on to his goal.
Grit is more than a match for almost any handicap. It overcomes obstacles and abolishes difficulties. It is the man who makes an opportunity and does not wait for it — the man who helps himself and does not wait to be helped — that makes the strong thinker and vigorous operator.
It is he who dares to be himself and to work by his own programme, without imitating others, who wins.
If you will greatly succeed in life, it is of the first importance that your individuality, your independence, your originality, be so trained that you will not be lost in the crowd. No one else can solve your problem, or work out your riddle. You stand or fall by it. Your happiness, your well-being, your success and your destiny hang upon your carrying out the programme the Creator has given you.
No matter how skilfully constructed or how powerful the locomotive may be, unless the water used to run it is boiling, the train will not move an inch. What the boiling water is to a locomotive, enthusiasm is to a man. No matter how great his ability or diversified his talents, unless he is filled with that enthusiasm which generates energy, great motive power, as the boiling water generates the steam which propels the train, he will never accomplish anything noteworthy. Every successful person, whatever his profession or occupation, is filled with this stimulating force. It is this which enables him to overleap obstacles, to spurn hardship and privation to dare any danger in order to reach his goal.
This immortal fire kindles sleeping powers, stimulates latent energies, and arouses resources undreamed of before. It multiplies ability and often takes the place of talent.