There is no doubting the fact that failure in life usually results from the quest for immediate success. The word “short-cut” may be applicable to the world of roads and footpaths, but there are no short cuts in the struggles of life. Such is the order of nature. In this world just as ease always follows hardship, so fruitful results come only from arduous, painstaking processes.
The conviction that one’s goals are worthwhile, the observation of discipline with no contradiction between words and thoughts, cool thinking even in times of crisis—all these are qualities of mind and heart which determine success, and obviate failure in the wider field of life.
A single human weakness cannot be considered in isolation. It has to be looked upon as being representative of the entire personality. If an individual proves unreliable in one matter, he is likely to evince the same unreliability in other matters.
The way to survive highly charged situations in life is by not letting oneself be inwardly affected by one’s outward situation; by suppressing one’s emotions and keeping one’s feelings under control.
