Success in life depends upon persistent effort, upon [1]

the improvement of moments more than upon any other

one thing. A great amount of time is consumed in talking

nothing, doing nothing, and indecision as to what one

should do. If one would be successful in the future, let [5]

him make the most of the present.

Three ways of wasting time, one of which is con-

temptible, are gossiping mischief, making lingering calls,

and mere motion when at work, thinking of nothing or [10]

planning for some amusement,—travel of limb more

than mind. Rushing around smartly is no proof of ac-

complishing much.

All successful individuals have become such by hard

work; by improving moments before they pass into hours, [15]

and hours that other people may occupy in the pursuit

of pleasure. They spend no time in sheer idleness, in

talking when they have nothing to say, in building air-

castles or floating off on the wings of sense: all of which

drop human life into the ditch of nonsense, and worse [20]

than waste its years.