The man who seeks one thing in life, and but one,
May hope to achieve it before life be read more

The man who seeks one thing in life, and but one,
May hope to achieve it before life be done;
But he who seeks all things, wherever he goes,
Only reaps from the hopes which around him he sows
A harvest of barren regrets.

I do not fear failure. I only fear the "slowing up" of the engine inside of me which is pounding, read more

I do not fear failure. I only fear the "slowing up" of the engine inside of me which is pounding, saying, "Keep going, someone must be on top, why not you?"

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

Be nice to people on your way up because you might meet 'em on
your way down.

Be nice to people on your way up because you might meet 'em on
your way down.

The shades of night were falling fast,
As through an Alpine village passed
A youth, who bore, read more

The shades of night were falling fast,
As through an Alpine village passed
A youth, who bore, 'mid snow and ice
A banner with the strange device,
Excelsior!

When you are aspiring to the highest place, it is honorable to
the second or even the third rank.
read more

When you are aspiring to the highest place, it is honorable to
the second or even the third rank.
[Lat., Prima enim sequentem, honestumn est in secundis,
tertiisque consistere.]

Most people would succeed in small things if they were not troubled with great ambitions.

Most people would succeed in small things if they were not troubled with great ambitions.

When you go in search of honey you must expect to be stung by bees.

When you go in search of honey you must expect to be stung by bees.

Oh, sons of earth! attempt ye still to rise.
By mountains pil'd on mountains to the skies?
read more

Oh, sons of earth! attempt ye still to rise.
By mountains pil'd on mountains to the skies?
Heav'n still with laughter the vain toil surveys,
And buries madmen in the heaps they raise.