If you think you are beaten, you are; If you think you dare not, you don’t! If you want to win, but think you can’t It is almost certain, you won’t. If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost; For out in the world we find Success begins with a person’s will; It’s all in the state of mind. If you think you’re outclassed, you are, You’ve got to think high to rise. You’ve got to be sure of yourself before You can ever win the prize. Life’s battles don’t always go To the stronger woman or man, But sooner or later the one who wins Is the one who believes that they can. Walter D Wintle

If you want a thing bad enough To go out and fight for it, Work day and night for it, Give up your time and peace and your sleep for it, If only desire of it makes you never tire of it, And life seems all empty and useless without it And all that you scheme and dream is about it, if gladly you’ll sweat for it, Fret for it, plan for it, Lose all your terror of the opposition for it, If you’ll simply go after that thing you want, With all your capacity, Strength and sagacity Faith, hope and confidence and stern pertinacity, If neither cold poverty, famished and gaunt, Not sickness nor pain Of body or brain Can turn you away from the thing that you want, If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it, You’ll get it! Breton Braley

Wouldn’t this old world be better If the folks we met would say, “I know something good about you!” And then treat us just that way? Wouldn’t it be fine and dandy, If each handclasp, warm and true, Carried with it this assurance, “I know something good about you?” Wouldn’t life be lots more happy, If the good that’s in us all Were the only thing about us That folks bothered to recall? Wouldn’t life be lots more happy, If we praised the good we see? For there’s such a lot of goodness In the worst of you and me. Wouldn’t it be nice to practice That fine way of thinking, too; You know something good about me; I know something good about you? Anonymous

The value of time. The success of perseverance. The pleasure of working. The dignity of simplicity. The worth of character. The power of kindness. The influence of example. The obligation of duty. The wisdom of economy. The virtue of patience, The improvement of talent. The joy of originating. Marshall Field

Is anyone happier Because you passed their way? Does anyone remember That you spoke to them today? This day is almost over, And its toiling time is through; Is there anyone to utter now, A friendly word for you? Can you say tonight in passing, With the day that slipped so fast, That you helped a single person, Of the many that you passed? Is a single heart rejoicing, Over what you did or said? Does one whose hopes were fading, Now with courage look ahead? Did you waste the day or lose it? Was it well or poorly spent? Did you leave a trail of kindness? Or a scar of discontent? Unknown Author