“Enthusiast”

Enthusiasm is faith in action. It is as simple as that, yet it is one of the most misunderstood words in our language. Even the dictionaries of today add little to the solution of this misunderstanding.

Enthusiasm comes from the two Greek words "en' and "theos" which mean "in" and "God." Enthusiasm is the proponent we receive when we tap the power within. Enthusiasm is usually confused with "animated feeling." Animated feeling refers to that feeling which is full of life, vivacious, vigorous and possessed with action or spirit produced by external forces. Animated feeling can be turned on and off like an electric light—but not enthusiasm.

Enthusiasm is the solid faith in a first cause, solid faith in one's self and the rooted belief in one's mission or calling. Enthusiasm is force of character—inward power. It imports such a concentration of the will upon the realization of a worthwhile

idea as to impel it onward over the next gigantic barrier, or to crush every opposing force that stands in the way of its triumph. Enthusiasm knows of nothing but success. It will not hearken to the voice of discouragement; it never yields its purpose.


Enthusiasm, with a moderate degree of wisdom, will carry a man farther than any amount of intellect without it. The men who have most powerfully influenced the world have not been so much men of genius as men of strong convictions and enduring capacity for work, impelled by irresistible enthusiasm and invincible determination.


Enthusiasm will open a door when other keys fail.

“Emotional Control”

Emotional control or control of the self is the highest form of courage. It is the base of all the virtues. It is one of the most important, but one of the most difficult things for a powerful mind to be its own master. One who reigns within himself, and rules passions, desires, and fears, is more than a king.

In the supremacy of self-control consists one of the perfections of the ideal man. Not to be impulsive, not to be spurred here and there by each desire that in turn comes uppermost, but to be self-restrained, self balanced, and governed by the joint decision of the mental faculties in assembled council, before whom every action shall have been fully debated and calmly determined—this is true strength and wisdom. 

The state or nation that has the best government progresses most; so the individual who governs best himself makes the most rapid progress. The native energies of the human soul press it to activity; controlled, they bear it forward in right paths; uncontrolled, they urge it on to probable destruction.

Self control—control of the emotions is a virtue which will become ours if we cultivate it properly, if we strive right manfully for its possession; fight a bitter warfare against irritability, nervousness, Jealousy, and all unkindness of heart and soul. But it must be cultivated properly. One exercise of it will not win us the victory. We must, by constant repetition of efforts, obtain at last the victory which will bring us repose, which will enable us to say to the raging waves of passion, "Thus far canst thou come, and no farther." We must be faithful to ourselves, faithful in our watch and control over tongue, eye, and hand. It is only by so doing that man comes to the full development of his powers.

“Dignity”

A dignified manner is not necessarily an imposing manner, for true dignity is but the outward expression of inherent worth of character. 

In counseling dignity, I would suggest no spirit of cold hauteur and pride, but, on the other hand, such outward walk and conversations as shall become one who has a just appreciation of life and its possibilities. One who is always given to light and flippant remarks, a rays assuming a free and easy style in his demeanor, cannot carry such an impression of power as one who bears about him the impression of a man among men by his dignified and decorous bearing. True dignity exists independent of "studied gestures or well-practiced smiles."

Its seat should be in the mind, and then it will not be found wanting in the manner. It is often strikingly and eloquently displayed in the bearings of those utterly unacquainted with the strict rules of etiquette.

If one has a modest consciousness of his own worth, and a sincere desire to be of worth to others, he must necessarily display true dignity in his manner and bearing towards others.

“Courtesy”

Among the qualities of mind and heart which are conducive to worldly success, there is no one, the importance of which is more real, yet which is more generally underrated at this day by the young, than courtesy—that feeling of kindness, of love for our fellowman, which expresses itself in pleasing manners.

Courtesy and politeness are one and the same thing. In this hustling and bustling twentieth century world, too many fail to appropriate those nameless and exquisite tenderness’s of thought and manner that mark the true gentleman. Yet history is crowded with examples showing that, as in literature, it is the delicate, indefinable charm of style, not the thought that makes a ivory immortal, so it is the bearing of a man towards his fellowman that oftentimes, more than any other circumstance, promotes or obstructs his advancement in life.

The success or failure of one s plans have often turned upon the address and manner of the man. Notl.ing will develop a spirit of true politeness except a mind imbued with goodness, justness, and generosity. planners are different in every country; but true politeness is en ergo here the same. 

The common courtesy, the politeness and the good manners that make up this trait of a pleasing personality must absolutely be of moral excellence. In the absence of moral excellence these are but simple etiquette and tend not to be a part or parcel of your personality.