Samuel Smiles Quotes

Doing for people what they can and ought to do for themselves is a dangerous experiment …. The welfare of the workers depends on their own initiative.

Expectations are one thing, but you've got to do your own. Got to do your own.

Ultimately, I play for myself, and I take responsibility for my own actions.

Self-help must precede help from others. Even for making certain of help from heaven, one has to help oneself.

Every man paddles his own canoe.

Doing for people what they can and ought to do for themselves is a dangerous experiment. In the last analysis, the welfare of the workers depends upon their own initiative. Whatever is done under the guise of philanthropy or social morality which in any way lessens initiative is the greatest crime that can be committed against the toilers. Let social busybodies and professional "public morals experts" in their fads reflect upon the perils they rashly invite under this pretense of social welfare.

Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.

I have to do things for myself, and if those standards are set high, then it's up to me to pass or fail.

If someone else isn't making it happen for you, make it happen yourself.

For me, I think that I don't like feeling pressure from outside sources. I'd rather put the pressure on myself and push myself to do it as good as I can.

No man who is not willing to help himself has any right to apply to his friends, or to the gods.

I am responsible for me. I can kind of take care of what I need to do and should do what I like to do.

You may be always victorious if you will never enter into any contest where the issue does not wholly depend upon yourself.

I know that no one can really stop me but myself and that really no one can help me but myself.

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.

The important thing is to concentrate upon what you can do - by yourself, upon your own initiative.

God helps those who help themselves.

I like people who take responsibility for their lives.

The gods help them that help themselves.

You have to be concerned with yourself because if you're not on it all the time, nobody else is going to be.

Sometimes people need a kick in the pants to get them to do what they would be doing if government weren't there as a perpetual parent.

You can't command people to do their best; they can only command that of themselves.

If you want to do something, just do it. No one is going to do it for you.

Work alone is noble.

Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.