Ed.in
this online transcription of Smiles's 'Self Help', I have added a number of images to illustrate
references in Smiles's text. These are listed separately in the
Index at the bottom
of this page. I have also added the captions, and the footnotes
that are prefixed "Ed." |
PREFACE.
THIS is a revised
edition of a book which has already been received with considerable
favour at home and abroad. It has been reprinted in various
forms in America; translations have appeared in Dutch and French,
and others are about to appear in German and Danish. The book
has, doubtless, proved attractive to readers in different countries
by reason of the variety of anecdotal illustrations of life and
character which it contains, and the interest which all more or less
feel in the labours, the trials, the struggles, and the achievements
of others. No one can be better aware than the author, of its
fragmentary character, arising from the manner in which it was for
the most part originally composed,having been put together
principally from jottings made during many years,intended as
readings for young men, and without any view to publication.
The appearance of this edition has furnished an opportunity for
pruning the volume of some superfluous matter, and introducing
various new illustrations, which will probably be found of general
interest.
In one respect the title of the book, which it is now too
late to alter, has proved unfortunate, as it has led some, who have
judged it merely by the title, to suppose that it consists of a
eulogy of selfishness: the very opposite of what it really is,or at
least of what the author intended it to be. Although its chief
object unquestionably is to stimulate youths to apply themselves
diligently to right pursuits,sparing neither labour, pains, nor
self-denial in prosecuting them,and to rely upon their own efforts
in life, rather than depend upon the help or patronage of others it
will also be found, from the examples given of literary and
scientific men, artists, inventors, educators, philanthropists,
missionaries, and martyrs, that the duty of helping one's self in
the highest sense involves the helping of one's neighbours.
It has also been objected to the book that too much notice is
taken in it of men who have succeeded in life by helping themselves,
and too little of the multitude of men who have failed. "Why
should not Failure," it has been asked, "have its Plutarch as well
as Success?" There is, indeed, no reason why Failure should
not have its Plutarch, except that a record of mere failure would
probably be found excessively depressing as well as uninstructive
reading. It is, however, shown in the following pages that
Failure is the best discipline of the true worker, by stimulating
him to renewed efforts, evoking his best powers, and carrying him
onward in self-culture, self-control, and growth in knowledge and
wisdom. Viewed in this light, Failure, conquered by
Perseverance, is always full of interest and instruction, and this
we have endeavoured to illustrate by many examples.
As for Failure per se, although it may be well to find
consolations for it at the close of life, there is reason to doubt
whether it is an object that ought to be set before youth at the
beginning of it. Indeed, "how not to do it" is of all things
the easiest learnt: it needs neither teaching, effort, self-denial,
industry, patience, perseverance, nor judgment. Besides,
readers do not care to know about the general who lost his battles,
the engineer whose engines blew up, the architect who designed only
deformities, the painter who never got beyond daubs, the schemer who
did not invent his machine, the merchant who could not keep out of
the Gazette. It is true, the best of men may fail, in the best
of causes. But even these best of men did not try to fail, or
regard their failure as meritorious; on the contrary, they tried to
succeed, and looked upon failure as misfortune. Failure in any
good cause is, however, honourable, whilst success in any bad cause
is merely infamous. At the same time success in the good cause
is unquestionably better than failure. But it is not the
result in any case that is to be regarded so much as the aim and the
effort, the patience, the courage, and the endeavour with which
desirable and worthy objects are pursued;
"'Tis not in mortals to command success;
We will do moredeserve it." |
The object of the book briefly is, to re-inculcate these
old-fashioned but wholesome lessonswhich perhaps cannot be too
often urged,that youth must work in order to enjoy,that nothing
creditable can be accomplished without application and
diligence,that the student must not be daunted by difficulties, but
conquer them by patience and perseverance,and that, above all, he
must seek elevation of character, without which capacity is
worthless and worldly success is naught. If the author has not
succeeded in illustrating these lessons, he can only say that he has
failed in his object.
Among the new passages introduced in the present edition, may
be mentioned the following:Illustrious Foreigners of humble origin
(pp. 10-12), French Generals and Marshals risen from the ranks (14),
De Tocqueville and Mutual Help (24), William Lee, M.A., and the
Stocking-loom (42), John Heathcoat, M.P., and the Bobbin-net machine
(47), Jacquard and his Loom (55), Vaucanson (58), Joshua Heilmann
and the Combing-machine (62), Bernard Palissy and his struggles
(69), Bφttgher, discoverer of Hard Porcelain (80), Count de Buffon
as Student (104), Cuvier (128), Ambrose Pare (134), Claude Lorraine
(16o), Jacques Callot (162), Benvenuto Cellini (164), Nicholas
Poussin (168), Ary Scheffer (17T), the Strutts of Belper (214),
Francis Xavier (238), Napoleon as a man of business (276),
Intrepidity of Deal Boatmen (400), besides numerous other passages
which it is unnecessary to specify.
London, May, 1866
_______________
INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST EDITION.
THE origin of
this book may be briefly told.
Some fifteen years since, the author was requested to deliver
an address before the members of some evening classes, which had
been formed in a northern town for mutual improvement, under the
following circumstances:
Two or three young men of the humblest rank resolved to meet
in the winter evenings, for the purpose of improving themselves by
exchanging knowledge with each other. Their first meetings
were held in the room of a cottage in which one of the members
lived; and, as others shortly joined them, the place soon became
inconveniently filled. When summer set in, they adjourned to
the cottage garden outside; and the classes were then held in the
open air, round a little boarded hut used as a garden-house, in
which those who officiated as teachers set the sums, and gave forth
the lessons of the evening. When the weather was fine, the
youths might be seen, until a late hour, hanging round the door of
the hut like a cluster of bees; but sometimes a sudden shower of
rain would dash the sums from their slates, and disperse them for
the evening unsatisfied.
Winter, with its cold nights, was drawing near, and what were
they to do for shelter? Their numbers had by this time so
increased, that no room of an ordinary cottage could accommodate
them. Though they were for the most part young men earning
comparatively small weekly wages, they resolved to incur the risk of
hiring a room; and, on making inquiry, they found a large dingy
apartment to let, which had been used as a temporary Cholera
Hospital. No tenant could be found for the place, which was
avoided as if a plague still clung to it. But the mutual
improvement youths, nothing daunted, hired the cholera room at so
much a week, lit it up, placed a few benches and a deal table in it,
and began their winter classes. The place soon presented a
busy and cheerful appearance in the evenings. The teaching may
have been, as no doubt it was, of a very rude and imperfect sort;
but it was done with a will. Those who knew a little taught
those who knew lessimproving themselves while they improved the
others; and, at all events, setting before them a good working
example. Thus these youthsand there were also grown men
amongst themproceeded to teach themselves and each other, reading
and writing, arithmetic and geography; and even mathematics,
chemistry, and some of the modern languages.
About a hundred young men had thus come together, when,
growing ambitious, they desired to have lectures delivered to them;
and then it was that the author became acquainted with their
proceedings. A party of them waited on him, for the purpose of
inviting him to deliver an introductory address, or, as they
expressed it, "to talk to them a bit;" prefacing the request by a
modest statement of what they had done and what they were doing.
He could not fail to be touched by the admirable self-helping spirit
which they had displayed; and, though entertaining but slight faith
in popular lecturing, he felt that a few words of encouragement,
honestly and sincerely uttered, might not be without some good
effect. And in this spirit he addressed them on more than one
occasion, citing examples of what other men had done, as
illustrations of what each might, in a greater or less degree, do
for himself; and pointing out that their happiness and well-being as
individuals in after life, must necessarily depend mainly upon
themselvesupon their own diligent self-culture, self-discipline,
and self-controland, above all, on that honest and upright
performance of individual duty, which is the glory of manly
character.
There was nothing in the slightest degree new or original in
this counsel, which was as old as the Proverbs of Solomon, and
possibly quite as familiar. But old-fashioned though the
advice may have been, it was welcomed. The youths went forward
in their course; worked on with energy and resolution; and, reaching
manhood, they went forth in various directions into the world, where
many of them now occupy positions of trust and usefulness.
Several years after the incidents referred to, the subject was
unexpectedly recalled to the author's recollection by an evening
visit from a young manapparently fresh from the work of a
foundrywho explained that he was now an employer of labour and a
thriving man; and he was pleased to remember with gratitude the
words spoken in all honesty to him and to his fellow-pupils years
before, and even to attribute some measure of his success in life to
the endeavours which he had made to work up to their spirit.
The author's personal interest having in this way been
attracted to the subject of Self-Help, he was accustomed to add to
the memoranda from which he had addressed these young men; and to
note down occasionally in his leisure evening moments, after the
hours of business, the results of such reading, observation, and
experience of life, as he conceived to bear upon it. One of
the most prominent illustrations cited in his earlier addresses, was
that of George Stephenson, the engineer; and the original interest
of the subject, as well as the special facilities and opportunities
which the author possessed for illustrating Mr. Stephenson's life
and career, induced him to prosecute it at his leisure, and
eventually to publish his biography. The present volume is
written in a similar spirit, as it has been similar in its origin.
The illustrative sketches of character introduced, are, however,
necessarily less elaborately treatedbeing busts rather than
full-length portraits, and, in many of the cases, only some striking
feature has been noted; the lives of individuals, as indeed of
nations, often concentrating their lustre and interest in a few
passages. Such as the book is, the author now leaves it in the
hands of the reader; in the hope that the lessons of industry,
perseverance, and self-culture, which it contains, will be found
useful and instructive, as well as generally interesting.
London, September, 1859.
――――♦――――
CONTENTS.
_________
CHAPTER I.
SELF-HELPNATIONAL
AND INDIVIDUAL.
Spirit of Self-Help Institutions and men
Government a reflex of the individualism of a nationCζsarism and
Self-HelpWilliam Dargan on Independence Patient labourers in all
ranks Self-Help a feature in the English character Power of
example and of work in practical education Value of biographics
Great men belong to no exclusive class or rank Illustrious men
sprung from the ranks Shakespeare Various humble origin of many
eminent men Distinguished astronomers Eminent sons of clergymen
Of attorneys Illustrious foreigners of humble origin Vanquelin
the chemist Promotions from the ranks in the French army
Instances of persevering application and energy Joseph Brotherton
W. J. Fox W. S. Lindsay William Jackson Richard Cobden
Diligence indispensable to usefulness and distinction The
wealthier ranks not all idlers Examples Military men
Philosophers Men of science Politicians Literary men Sir
Robert Peel Lord Brougham Lytton Disraeli Wordsworth on
self-reliance De Tocqueville: his industry and recognition of the
help of othersMen their own best helpers.
CHAPTER II.
LEADERS OF INDUSTRY INVENTORS
AND PRODUCERS.
Industry of the English people Work the best
educator Hugh Miller Poverty and toil not insurmountable
obstacles Working men as inventors Invention of the steam-engine
James Watt: his industry and habit of attention Matthew Boulton
Applications of the steam-engine The Cotton manufacture The
early inventors Paul and Highs Arkwright: his early life
Barber, inventor and manufacturer His influence and characterThe
Peels of South Lancashire The founder of the family The first Sir
Robert Peel, cotton-printer Lady Peel Rev. William Lee, inventor
of the stocking-frame Dies abroad in misery James Lee The
Nottingham lace manufacture John Heathcoat, inventor of the
bobbin-net machine His early life, his ingenuity, and plodding
perseverance Invention of his machine Anecdote of Lord Lyndhurst
Progress of the lace-trade Heathcoat's machines destroyed by the
Luddites His character Jacquard: his inventions and adventures
Vaucanson: his mechanical genius, improvements in silk manufacture
Jacquard improves Vaucanson's machine The Jacquard loom adopted
Joshua Heilmann, inventor of the combing-machine History of the
invention Its value.
CHAPTER III.
THREE GREAT POTTERSPALLISSY,
BΦTTGHER, WEDGWOOD.
Ancient pottery Etruscan ware Luca della Robbia,
the Florentine sculptor: re-discovers the art of enamelling
Bernard Pallissy: sketch of his life and labours Inflamed by the
sight of an Italian cup His search after the secret of the enamel
His experiments during years of unproductive toil His personal
and family privations Indomitable perseverance, burns his
furniture to heat the furnace, and success at last Reduced to
destitution Condemned to death, and release His writings Dies
in the Bastille John Frederick Bφttgher, the Berlin 'gold cook'
His trick in alchemy and consequent troubles Flight into Saxony
His detention at Dresden Discovers how to make red and white
porcelain The manufacture taken up by the Saxon Government
Bφttgher treated as a prisoner and a slave His unhappy end The
Sevres porcelain manufactory Josiah Wedgwood, the English potter
Early state of English earthenware manufacture Wedgwood's
indefatigable industry, skill, and perseverance His success The
Barberini vase Wedgwood a national benefactor Industrial heroes.
CHAPTER IV.
APPLICATION AND PERSEVERANCE.
Great results attained by simple means Fortune
favours the industrious "Genius is patience" Newton and Kepler
industry of eminent men Power acquired by repeated effort
Anecdote of Sir Robert Peel's cultivation of memory Facility comes
by practice Importance of patience Cheerfulness Sydney Smith
Dr. Hook Hope an important element in character Carey the
missionary Anecdote of Dr. Young Anecdote of Audubon the
ornithologist Anecdote of Mr. Carlyle and his MS. of the
'French Revolution' Perseverance of Watt and Stephenson
Perseverance displayed in the discovery of the Nineveh marbles by
Rawlinson and Layard Comte de Buffon as student His continuous
and unremitting labours Sir Walter Scott's perseverance John
Britton Loudon Samuel Drew Joseph Hume.
CHAPTER V.
HELPS AND OPPORTUNITIES
SCIENTIFIC PURSUITS.
No great result achieved by accident Newton's
discoveries Dr. Young Habit of observing with intelligence
Galileo Inventions of Brown, Watt, and Brunel, accidentally
suggested Philosophy in little things Apollonius Pergζus and
conic sections Franklin and Galvani Discovery of steam power
Opportunities seized or made Simple and rude tools of great
workers Lee and Stone's opportunities for learning Sir Walter
Scott's Dr. Priestley Sir Humphry Davy Faraday Davy and
Coleridge Cuvier Dalton's industry Examples of improvement of
time Daguesseau and Bentham Melancthon and Baxter Writing down
observations Great note-makers Dr. Pye Smith John Hunter: his
patient study of little things His great labours Ambrose Pare
the French surgeon Harvey Jenner Sir Charles Bell Dr.
Marshall Hall Sir William Herschel William Smith the geologist:
his discoveries, his geological map Hugh Miller: his observant
faculties John Brown and Robert Dick, geologists Sir Roderick
Murchison, his industry and attainments.
CHAPTER VI.
WORKERS IN ART.
Sir Joshua Reynolds on the power of industry in art
Humble origin of eminent artists Acquisition of wealth not the
ruling motive with artists Michael Angelo on riches Patient
labours of Michael Angelo and Titian West's early success a
disadvantage Richard Wilson and Zuccarelli Sir Joshua Reynolds,
Blake, Bird, Gainsborough, and Hogarth, as boy artists Hogarth a
keen observer Banks and Mulready Claude Lorraine and Turner:
their indefatigable industry Perrier and Jacques Callot and their
visits to Rome Callot and the gipsies Benvenuto Cellini,
goldsmith and musician: his ambition to excel Casting of his
statue of Perseus Nicolas Poussin, a sedulous student and worker
Duquesnoi Poussin's fame Ary Scheffer: his hindrances and
success John Flaxman: his genius and perseverance His brave wife
Their visit to Rome Francis Chantrey: his industry and energy
David Wilkie and William Etty, unflagging workers Privations
endured by artists Martin Pugin George Kemp, architect of the
Scott monument John Gibson, Robert Thorburn, Noel Paton James
Sharpies the blacksmith artist: his autobiography Industry of
musicians Handel, Haydn, Beethoven, Bach, Meyerbeer Dr. Arne
William Jackson the self-taught composer .
CHAPTER VII.
INDUSTRY AND THE PEERAGE.
The peerage fed from the industrial ranks Fall of
old families: Bohuns, Mortimers, and Plantagenets The peerage
comparatively modern Peerages originating with traders and
merchants Richard Foley, nailmaker, founder of the Foley peerage
Adventurous career of William Phipps, founder of the Normanby
peerage: his recovery of sunken treasure Sir William Petty,
founder of the Lansdowne peerage Jedediah Strutt, founder of the
Belper peerage William and Edward Strutt Naval and Military
peers Peerages founded by lawyers Lords Tenterden and Campbell
Lord Eldon: his early struggles and eventual success Baron
Langdale Rewards of perseverance.
CHAPTER VIII.
ENERGY AND COURAGE.
Energy characteristic of the Teutonic race The
foundations of strength of character Force of purpose
Concentration Courageous working Words of Hugh Miller and Fowell
Buxton Power and freedom of will Words of Lamennais Suwarrow
Napoleon and "glory" Wellington and "duty" Promptitude in action
Energy displayed by the British in India Warren Hastings Sir
Charles Napier: his adventure with the Indian swordsman The
rebellion in India The Lawrences Nicholson The siege of Delhi
Captain Hodson Missionary Labourers Francis Xavier's missions
in the East John Williams Dr. Livingstone John Howard Jonas
Hanway: his career The philanthropic labours of Granville Sharp
Position of slaves in England Result of Sharp's efforts
Clarkson's labours Fowell Buxton: his resolute purpose and energy
Abolition of slavery.
CHAPTER IX.
MEN OF BUSINESS.
Hazlitt's definition of the man of business The
chief requisite qualities Men of genius men of business
Shakespeare, Chaucer, Spenser, Milton, Newton, Cowper, Wordsworth,
Scott, Ricardo, Grote, J. S. Mill Labour and application necessary
to success Lord Melbourne's advice The school of difficulty a
good school Conditions of success in Law The industrious
architect The salutary influence of work Consequences of
contempt for arithmetic Dr. Johnson on the alleged injustice of
"the world" Washington Irving's views Practical qualities
necessary in business Importance of accuracy Charles James Fox
Method Richard Cecil and De Witt: their despatch of business
Value of time Sir Walter Scott's advice Promptitude Economy of
time Punctuality Firmness Tact Napoleon and Wellington as men
of business Napoleon's attention to details The 'Napoleon
Correspondence' Wellington's business faculty Wellington in the
Peninsula "Honesty the best policy" Trade tries character
Dishonest gains David Barclay a model man of business.
CHAPTER X.
MONEYITS USE AND ABUSE.
The right use of money a test of wisdom The virtue
of self-denial Self-imposed taxes Economy necessary to
independence Helplessness of the improvident Frugality an
important public question Counsels of Richard Cobden and John
Bright The bondage of the improvident Independence attainable by
working men Francis Horner's advice from his father Robert Burns
Living within the means Bacon's maxim Wasters Running into
debt Haydon's debts Fichte Dr. Johnson on debt John Locke
The Duke of Wellington on debt Washington Earl St. Vincent: his
protested bill Joseph Hume on living too high Ambition after
gentility Napier's order to his officers in India Resistance to
temptation Hugh Miller's case High standard of life necessary
Proverbs on money-making and thrift Thomas Wright and the
reclamation of criminals Mere money-making John Foster Riches
no proof of worth All honest industry honourable The power of
money over-estimated Joseph Brotherton True Respectability
Lord Collingwood.
CHAPTER XI.
SELF-CULTURE―FACILITIES
AND DIFFICULTIES.
Sir W. Scott and Sir B. Brodie on self-culture Dr.
Arnold's spirit Active employment salutary Malthus's advice to
his son importance of physical health Hodson, of "Hodson's
Horse" Dr. Channing Early labour Training in use of tools
Healthiness of great men Sir Walter Scott's athletic sports
Barrow, Fuller, Clarke Labour conquers all things Words of
Chatterton, Ferguson, Stone, Drew Well-directed labour Opinions
of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Fowell Buxton, Dr. Ross, F. Horner, Loyola,
and Lord St. Leonards Thoroughness, accuracy, decision, and
promptitude The virtue of patient labour The mischievous effects
of "cramming" in laboursaving processes and multifarious reading
The right use of knowledge Books may impart learning, but
well-applied knowledge and experience only exhibit wisdom The
Magna Charta men Brindley, Stephenson, Hunter, and others, not
book-learned yet great Self-respect Jean Paul Richter
Knowledge as a means of rising Base views of the value of
knowledge Ideas of Bacon and Southey Douglas Jerrold on comic
literature Danger of immoderate love of pleasure Benjamin
Constant: his high thinking and low living Thierry: his noble
character Coleridge and Southey Robert Nicoll on Coleridge
Charles James Fox on perseverance The wisdom and strength acquired
through failure Hunter, Rossini, Davy, Mendelsohn The uses of
difficulty and adversity Lyndhurst, D'Alembert, Carissimi,
Reynolds, and Henry Clay on persistency Curran on honest poverty
Struggles with difficulties: Alexander Murray, William Chambers,
Cobbett The French stonemason turned Professor Sir Samuel
Romilly as a self-cultivator John Leyden's perseverance
Professor Lee: his perseverance and his attainments as a linguist
Late learners: Spelman, Franklin, Dryden, Scott, Boccaccio, Arnold,
and others Illustrious dunces: Generals Grant, Stonewall Jackson,
John Howard, Davy, and others Story of a dunce Success depends
on perseverance.
CHAPTER XII.
EXAMPLE-MODELS.
Example a potent instructor Influence of conduct
Parental example All acts have their train of consequences
Disraeli on Cobden Words of Babbage Human responsibility Every
person owes a good example to others Doing, not saying Mrs.
Chisholm Dr. Guthrie and John Pounds Good models of conduct
The company of our betters Francis Horner's views on personal
intercourse The Marquis of Lansdowne and Malesherbes Fowell
Buxton and the Gurney family Personal influence of John Sterling
Influence of artistic genius upon others Example of the brave an
inspiration to the timid Biography valuable as forming high models
of character Lives influenced by biography Romilly, Franklin,
Drew, Alfieri, Loyola, Wolff, Horner, Reynolds Examples of
cheerfulness Dr. Arnold's influence over others Career of Sir
John Sinclair.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHARACTERTHE TRUE
GENTLEMAN.
Character a man's best possession Character of
Francis Horner Franklin Character is power The higher
qualities of character Lord Erskine's rules of conduct A high
standard of life necessary Truthfulness Wellington's character
of Peel Be what you seem Integrity and honesty of action
Importance of habits Habits constitute character Growth of habit
in youth Words of Robertson of Brighton Manners and morals
Civility and kindness Anecdote of Abernethy True politeness
Great-hearted men of no exclusive rank or class William and
Charles Grant, the "Brothers Cheeryble" The true gentleman Lord
Edward Fitzgerald Honour, probity, rectitude The gentleman will
not be bribed Anecdotes of Hallway, Wellington, Wellesley, and Sir
C. Napier The poor in purse may be rich in spirit A noble
peasant Intrepidity of Deal boatmen Anecdotes of the Emperor of
Austria and of two English navvies Truth makes the success of the
gentleman Courage and gentleness Gentlemen in India Outram,
Henry Lawrence Lord Clyde The private soldiers at Agra The
wreck of the Birkenhead Use of power, the test or the Gentleman
Sir Ralph Abercrombie Fuller's character of Sir Francis Drake.
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