Samuel Smiles Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Samuel Smiles quotes, Samuel Smiles sayings, and Samuel Smiles proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

It is the close observation of little things which is the secret of success in business, in art, in science, and in every pursuit of life. Samuel Smiles
The principal industrial excellence of the English people lay in their capacity of present exertion for a distant object. Samuel Smiles
Obedience, submission, discipline, courage--these are among the characteristics which make a man. Samuel Smiles
Idleness of the mind is much worse than that of the body: wit, without employment, is a disease - the rust of the soul, a plague, a hell itself. Samuel Smiles
He who recognizes no higher logic than that of the shilling may become a very rich man, and yet remain all the while an exceedingly poor creature; for riches are no proof whatever of moral worth, and their glitter often serves only to draw attention to the worthlessness of their possessor, as the glow-worm's light reveals the grub. Samuel Smiles
The great lesson of biography is to show what man can be and do at his best. A noble life put fairly on record acts like an inspiration to others. Samuel Smiles
Where men or nations have broken down, it will almost invariably be found that neglect of little things was the rock on which they split. Samuel Smiles
Misfortune is next door to stupidity, and it will often be found that men who are constantly lamenting their luck, are in some way or other reaping the consequences of their own neglect, mismanagement, improvidence, or want of application. Samuel Smiles
Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever. Samuel Smiles
This extraordinary metal, the soul of every manufacture, and the mainspring perhaps of a civilised society. Of iron. Samuel Smiles
Practical wisdom is only to be learned in the school of experience. Samuel Smiles
It is a grand old name, that of gentleman, and has been recognized as a rank and power in all stages of society. To possess this character is a dignity of itself, commanding the instinctive homage of every generous mind, and those who will not bow to titular rank will yet do homage to the gentleman. His qualities depend not upon fashion or manners, but upon moral worth; not on personal possessions, but on personal qualities. Samuel Smiles
Hope is the companion of power, and the mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles. Samuel Smiles
We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success; we often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do; and probably he who never made a mistake never made a discovery. Samuel Smiles
We often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do; and probably he who never made a mistake never made a discovery. Samuel Smiles

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