THE UNFOLDING LIFE

Height is our aim, not because of any man-made doctrine about height and ascension, but because the universal processes everywhere indicate height as the aim of all unfolding life. Yet in the pursuit of this end, there is no escape from the natural process of growth.

—NEWTON DILLAWAY

YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION

No one can ask honestly or hope fully to be delivered from temptation unless he has himself honestly and firmly determined to do the best he can to keep out of it.

—JOHN RUSKIN

MAKING THE MOST OF ONE’S SELF

Whatever you are by nature, keep to it; never desert your own line of talent. Be what nature intended you for, and you will succeed; be anything else and you will be ten thousand times worse than nothing.

—SYDNEY SMITH

This English divine (1771-1845) recognized that, because all of us have different talents, doing what we should do leads to success. Right!

RESOLUTION WORKS WONDERS

You may be whatever you resolve to be. Determine to be something in the world, and you will be something. “I cannot,” never accomplished anything. “I will try,” has wrought wonders.

—JOEL HAWES

THE GOOD WITHIN OUR REACH

To improve the golden moment of opportunity and to catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life.

—SAMUEL JOHNSON

The English author and lexicographer, Samuel Johnson (1709-84) wrote the first English dictionary. His old home on Fleet Street remains as it was when he passed away and the original dictionary is on a stand that tourists may gaze at it. I have visited his place several times. Johnson was and still is one of the all-time greats.

OUR WORK? TIME WILL TELL

Not armies, not nations, have advanced the race; but here and there in the course of ages, an individual has stood up and cast his shadow over the world.

—E. H. CHAPIN

This American clergyman (1814-80) was blest with hindsight and foresight. He knew of those sages over the centuries who stood foursquare for their righteous convictions, set examples for the advancing of the human race—cast their shadows over the world!

THE TOUCHSTONE OF PROGRESS

To have striven, to have made an effort, to have been true to certain ideals—this alone is worth the struggle.

—SIR WILLIAM OSLER

This Canadian physician (1849-1919) made another edifying and enlightening observation:

ALL IS MYSTERY

Mystery is but another name for ignorance; if we were omniscient all would be perfectly plain.

—TRYON EDWARDS

The wise Tryon Edwards (1809-94) presents a thought which, if grasped and adhered to, would be a boon to mankind.

THE STEPPINGSTONES TO KNOWLEDGE

It was said of one of the most intelligent men who ever lived in New England, that when asked how he came to know so much about everything, he replied, “By constantly realizing my own ignorance, and never being afraid or ashamed to ask questions.”

—TRYON EDWARDS

In his compilation of The New Dictionary of Thoughts, the American theologian, Tryon Edwards (1809-94) found others to confirm his views:

WHAT THE LOOKING GLASS REVEALS

Do you know the man against whom you have most reason to guard yourself? Your looking glass will give you a very fair likeness of his face.

—RICHARD WHATELY

Among the highest virtues of mankind is self-control and the Archbishop of Dublin (1787-1863) clearly identified the individual in charge: Yours Truly!