110+ Samuel Smiles Quotes On Wisdom, Inspirational And Motivational

Samuel Smiles was a Scottish author, most famous for his book Self-Help, published in 1859. He was a strong advocate of self-improvement and self-reliance, and his work was hugely influential in the Victorian era. His other works include Thrift, Duty, and Character, and Lives of the Engineers. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Samuel Smiles on wisdom, love, life.

Top 10 Samuel Smiles Quotes

1. Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever.
2. Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.
3. Hope... is the companion of power, and the mother of success; for who so hopes has within him the gift of miracles.
4. The best school of discipline is home. Family life is God's own method of training the young, and homes are very much as women make them.
5. National progress is the sum of individual industry, energy, and uprightness, as national decay is of individual idleness, selfishness, and vice.
6. It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures. Precept, study, advice, and example could never have taught them so well as failure has done.
7. No laws, however stringent, can make the idle industrious, the thriftless provident, or the drunken sober.
8. The very greatest things - great thoughts, discoveries, inventions - have usually been nurtured in hardship, often pondered over in sorrow, and at length established with difficulty.
9. The very greatest things -- great thoughts, discoveries, inventions -- have usually been nurtured in hardship, often pondered over in sorrow, and at length established with difficulty.
10. Self-respect is the noblest garment with which a man can clothe himself, the most elevating feeling with which the mind can be inspired.

Samuel Smiles Short Quotes

• Obedience, submission, discipline, courage--these are among the characteristics which make a man.
• He who never made a mistake, never made a discovery.
• Luck whines; labor whistles.
• Enthusiasm... the sustaining power of all great action.
• The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.
• Labor is still, and ever will be, the inevitable price set upon everything which is valuable.
• The wise man... if he would live at peace with others, he will bear and forbear.
• The duty of helping one's self in the highest sense involves the helping of one's neighbors.
• Diligence, above all, is the mother of good luck.
• There are many counterfeits of character, but the genuine article is difficult to be mistaken.

Samuel Smiles Quotes About Wisdom

The knowledge and experience which produce wisdom can only become a man's individual possession and property by his own free action; and it is as futile to expect these without laborious, painstaking effort, as it is to hope to gather a harvest where the seed has not been sown. — Samuel Smiles

Though an inheritance of acres may be bequeathed, an inheritance of knowledge and wisdom cannot. The wealthy man may pay others for doing his work for him; but it is impossible to get his thinking done for him by another, or to purchase any kind of self-culture. — 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

The experience gathered from books, though often valuable, is but the nature of learning; whereas the experience gained from actual life is one of the nature of wisdom. — Samuel Smiles

Practical wisdom is only to be learned in the school of experience. Precepts and instruction are useful so far as they go, but, without the discipline of real life, they remain of the nature of theory only. — Samuel Smiles

Good sense, disciplined by experience and inspired by goodness, issues in practical wisdom. — Samuel Smiles

Wisdom and understanding can only become the possession of individual men by travelling the old road of observation, attention, perseverance, and industry. — Samuel Smiles

Samuel Smiles Quotes About Life

The battle of life is, in most cases, fought uphill; and to win it without a struggle were perhaps to win it without honor. If there were no difficulties there would be no success; if there were nothing to struggle for, there would be nothing to be achieved. — Samuel Smiles

Progress however, of the best kind, is comparatively slow. Great results cannot be achieved at once; and we must be satisfied to advance in life as we walk, step by step. — Samuel Smiles

Childhood is like a mirror, which reflects in after life the images first presented to it. — Samuel Smiles

All experiences of life seems to prove that the impediments thrown in the way of the human advancement may for the most part be overcome by steady good conduct, honest zeal, activity, perseverance and above all, by a determined resolution to surmount. — Samuel Smiles

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 tiniest bits of opinion sown in the minds of children in private life afterwards issue forth to the world, and become its public opinion; for nations are gathered out of nurseries. — Samuel Smiles

Progress, of the best kind, is comparatively slow — Samuel Smiles

Great men are always exceptional men; and greatness itself is but comparative. Indeed, the range of most men in life is so limited that very few have the opportunity of being great. — Samuel Smiles

Fortune has often been blamed for her blindness; but fortune is not so blind as men are. Those who look into practical life will find that fortune is usually on the side of the industrious, as the winds and waves are on the side of the best navigators. — Samuel Smiles

Childhood is like a mirror, which reflects in afterlife the images first presented to it. The first thing continues forever with the child. The first joy, the first sorrow, the first success, the first failure, the first achievement, the first misadventure, paint the foreground of his life. — Samuel Smiles

Samuel Smiles Quotes About Inspirational

The work of many of the greatest men, inspired by duty, has been done amidst suffering and trial and difficulty. They have struggled against the tide, and reached the shore exhausted. — Samuel Smiles

The spirit of self-help is the root of all genuine growth in the individual. — Samuel Smiles

The great high-road of human welfare lies along the old highway of steadfast, well-doing; and they who are the most persistent, and work in the truest spirit, will invariably be the most successful; success treads on the heels of every right effort. — Samuel Smiles

The brave man is an inspiration to the weak, and compels them, as it were, to follow him. — 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

Politeness goes far, yet costs nothing. — Samuel Smiles

With will one can do anything. — Samuel Smiles

Samuel Smiles Quotes About Success

Success treads on the heels of every right effort; and though it is possible to overestimate success to the extent of almost deifying it, as is sometimes done, still in any worthy pursuit it is meritorious. — Samuel Smiles

It is not ease but effort, not facility but difficult, that makes man. There is perhaps no station in life in which difficulties do not have to be encountered and overcome before any decided means of success can be achieved. — Samuel Smiles

We learn from failure much more than from success; we often discover what we will do by finding our what we will not do; and probably he who never made a mistake never made a discovery. — Samuel Smiles

Where there is a will there is a way. is an old true saying. He who resolves upon doing a thing, by that very resolution often scales the barriers to it, and secures its achievement. To think we are able, is almost to be so -- to determine upon attainment is frequently attainment itself. — Samuel Smiles

Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles. — Samuel Smiles

Samuel Smiles Quotes About Difficulty

The apprenticeship of difficulty is one which the greatest of men have had to serve. — Samuel Smiles

For want of self-restraint many men are engaged all their lives in fighting with difficulties of their own making. — Samuel Smiles

Nothing of real worth can be obtained without courageous working. Man owes his growth chiefly to the active striving of the will, that encounter with difficulty which he calls effort; and it is astonishing to find how often results apparently impracticable are then made possible. — Samuel Smiles

Necessity, oftener than facility, has been the mother of invention; and the most prolific school of all has been the school of difficulty. — Samuel Smiles

Samuel Smiles Famous Quotes And Sayings

The influence of woman is the same everywhere. Her condition influences the morals, manners, and character of the people of all countries. Where she is debased, society is debased; where she is morally pure and enlightened, society will be proportionately elevated. — Samuel Smiles

The spirit of self-help is the root of all genuine growth in the individual; and, exhibited in the lives of many, it constitutes the true source of national vigour and strength. Help from without is often enfeebling in its effects, but help from within invariably invigorates — Samuel Smiles

It is possible that the scrupulously honest man may not grow rich so fast as the unscrupulous and dishonest one; but the success will be of a truer kind, earned without fraud or injustice. And even though a man should for a time be unsuccessful, still he must be honest: better lose all and save character. For character is itself a fortune. . . . — Samuel Smiles

Marriage like government is a series of compromises. One must give and take, repair and restrain, endure and be patient. — Samuel Smiles

If we opened our minds to enjoyment, we might find tranquil pleasures spread about us on every side. We might live with the angels that visit us on every sunbeam, and sit with the fairies who wait on every flower. — Samuel Smiles

Luck lies in bed, and wishes the postman would bring him news of a legacy; labor turns out at six, and with busy pen or ringing hammer lays the foundation of a competence. — Samuel Smiles

The great and good do no die even in this world. Embalmed in books, their spirits walk abroad. The book is a living voice. It is an intellect to which one still listens. — Samuel Smiles

It will generally be found that men who are constantly lamenting their ill luck are only reaping the consequences of their own neglect, mismanagement, and improvidence, or want of application. — Samuel Smiles

It is the close observation of little things which is the secret of success in business, in art, in science, and in every pursuit in life. Human knowledge is but an accumulation of small facts made by successive generations of men--the little bits of knowledge and experience carefully treasured up by them growing at length into a mighty pyramid. — Samuel Smiles

For want of self-restraint many men are engaged all their lives in fighting with difficulties of their own making, and rendering success impossible by their own cross-grained ungentleness; whilst others, it may be much less gifted, make their way and achieve success by simple patience, equanimity, and self-control. — Samuel Smiles

Riches do not constitute any claim to distinction. It is only the vulgar who admire riches as riches. — Samuel Smiles

Labour may be a burden and a chastisement, but it is also an honour and a glory. Without it, nothing can be accomplished. — Samuel Smiles

A fig-tree looking on a fig-tree becometh fruitful," says the Arabian proverb. And so it is with children; their first great instructor is example. — Samuel Smiles

It is observed at sea that men are never so much disposed to grumble and mutiny as when least employed. Hence an old captain, when there was nothing else to do, would issue the order to "scour the anchor. — Samuel Smiles

Men must necessarily be the active agents of their own well-being and well-doing... they themselves must in the very nature of things be their own best helpers. — Samuel Smiles

Nothing is more common than energy in money-making, quite independent of any higher object than its accumulation. A man who devotes himself to this pursuit, body and soul, can scarcely fail to become rich. Very little brains will do; spend less than you earn; add guinea to guinea; scrape and save; and the pile of gold will gradually rise. — Samuel Smiles

Persons with comparatively moderate powers will accomplish much, if they apply themselves wholly and indefatigably to one thing at a time. — Samuel Smiles

Necessity is always the first stimulus to industry, and those who conduct it with prudence, perseverance and energy will rarely fail. Viewed in this light, the necessity of labor is not a chastisement, but a blessing,--the very root and spring of all that we call progress in individuals and civilization in nations. — Samuel Smiles

One might almost fear," writes a thoughtful woman, "seeing how the women of to-day are lightly stirred up to run after some new fashion or faith, that heaven is not so near to them as it was to their mothers and grandmothers. — Samuel Smiles

Man cannot aspire if he looked down; if he rise, he must look up. — Samuel Smiles

This extraordinary metal, the soul of every manufacture, and the mainspring perhaps of civilised society. Of iron. — Samuel Smiles

I see nothing quite conclusive in the art of temporal government, But violence, duplicity and frequent malversation. King rules or barons rule: The strong man strongly and the weak man by caprice. They have but one law, to seize the power and keep it. — Samuel Smiles

The women of the poorer classes make sacrifices, and run risks, and bear privations, and exercise patience and kindness to a degree that the world never knows of, and would scarcely believe even if it did know. — Samuel Smiles

Conscience is that peculiar faculty of the soul which may be called the religious instinct. — Samuel Smiles

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. But all play and no work makes him something worse. — Samuel Smiles

Sympathy is the golden key that unlocks the hearts of others. — 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

It is natural to admire and revere really great men. They hallow the nation to which they belong, and lift up not only all who live in their time, but those who live after them. Their great example becomes the common heritage of their race; and their great deeds and great thoughts are the most glorious legacies of mankind. — Samuel Smiles

Courage is by no means incompatible with tenderness. On the contrary, gentleness and tenderness have been found to characterize the men, no less than the women, who have done the most courageous deeds. — Samuel Smiles

Help from without is often enfeebling in its effects, but help from within invariably invigorates. — Samuel Smiles

Any number of depraved units cannot form a great nation. — Samuel Smiles

The truest politeness comes of sincerity. — Samuel Smiles

Even happiness itself may become habitual. There is a habit of looking at the bright side of things, and also of looking at the dark side. — Samuel Smiles

The most influential of all the virtues are those which are the most in request for daily use. They wear the best, and last the longest. — Samuel Smiles

The highest culture is not obtained from the teacher when at school or college, so much as by our ever diligent self-education when we become men. — Samuel Smiles

An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality; our desires being often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing. — Samuel Smiles

Honorable industry always travels the same road with enjoyment and duty, and progress is altogether impossible without it. — Samuel Smiles

Life is of little value unless it be consecrated by duty. — Samuel Smiles

The egotist is next door to a fanatic. — Samuel Smiles

Cheerfulness is also an excellent wearing quality. It has been called the bright weather of the heart. — Samuel Smiles

True politeness is consideration for the opinions of others. It has been said of dogmatism that it is only puppyism come to its full growth; and certainly the worst form this quality can assume is that of opinionativeness and arrogance. — Samuel Smiles

Commit a child to the care of a worthless, ignorant woman, and no culture in after-life will remedy the evil you have done. — Samuel Smiles

Men cannot be raised in masses as the mountains were in he early geological states of the world. They must be dealt with as units; for it is only by the elevation of individuals that the elevation of the masses can be effectively secured. — Samuel Smiles

Whatever is done for men takes away from the stimulus and necessity of doing things for themselves. The value of legislative as an agent in human advancement has been much over-estimated. No laws, however stringent, can make the idle industrious, the thriftless provident or the drunken sober. — Samuel Smiles

The reason why so little is done, is generally because so little is attempted. — Samuel Smiles

All life is a struggle.... Under competition the lazy man is put under the necessity of exerting himself; and if he will not exert himself, he must fall behind. If he do not work, neither shall he eat. — Samuel Smiles

It is not eminent talent that is required to ensure success in any pursuit, so much as purpose-not merely the power to achieve, but the will to labour energetically and perseveringly. Hence energy of will may be defined to be the very central power of character in a man-in a word, it is the Man himself. — Samuel Smiles

Genius, without work, is certainly a dumb oracle, and it is unquestionably true that the men of the highest genius have invariably been found to be amongst the most plodding, hard-working, and intent men -- their chief characteristic apparently consisting simply in their power of laboring more intensely and effectively than others. — Samuel Smiles

Men often discover their affinity to each other by the mutual love they have for a book. — Samuel Smiles

Knowledge conquered by labor becomes a possession -- a property entirely our own. — Samuel Smiles

Example teaches better than precept. It is the best modeler of the character of men and women. To set a lofty example is the richest bequest a man can leave behind him. — Samuel Smiles

Men whose acts are at variance with their words command no respect, and what they say has but little weight. — Samuel Smiles

Character is undergoing constant change, for better or for worse--either being elevated on the one hand, or degraded on the other. — Samuel Smiles

The great leader attracts to himself men of kindred character, drawing them towards him as the loadstone draws iron. — Samuel Smiles

Life will always be to a large extent what we ourselves make it. — Samuel Smiles

Mere political reform will not cure the manifold evils which now afflict society. There requires a social reform, a domestic reform, an individual reform. — Samuel Smiles

Stothard learned the art of combining colors by closely studying butterflies wings; he would often say that no one knew what he owed to these tiny insects. A burnt stick and a barn door served Wilkie in lieu of pencil and canvas. — Samuel Smiles

The cheapest of all things is kindness, its exercise requiring the least possible trouble and self-sacrifice. Win hearts, said Burleigh to Queen Elizabeth, and you have all men's hearts and purses. — 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

Those who have most to do, and are willing to work, will find the most time. — Samuel Smiles

Make good thy standing place, and move the world. — Samuel Smiles

The life of a good man is at the same time the most eloquent lesson of virtue and the most severe reproof of vice. — Samuel Smiles

Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey towards it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us. ...Hope sweetens the memory of experiences well loved. It tempers our troubles to our growth and our strength. It befriends us in the dark hours, excites us in bright ones. It lends promise to the future and purpose to the past. It turns discouragement to determination. Samuel Smiles — Samuel Smiles

The greatest slave is not he who is ruled by a despot, great though that evil be, but he who is in the thrall of his own moral ignorance, selfishness, and vice. — Samuel Smiles

Liberty is the result of free individual action,energy and independence. — Samuel Smiles

Life Lessons by Samuel Smiles

1. Samuel Smiles emphasizes the importance of hard work and perseverance, teaching us that success is achieved through dedication and effort.
2. He also encourages us to be self-reliant and to take responsibility for our own actions, rather than relying on others to do the work for us.
3. Finally, Smiles encourages us to be humble and to recognize that success is not just about individual achievement, but also about helping others and contributing to the community.