Orison Swett Marden

Ambition and Success is an incredible self-help book through which the author enlightens the readers by his remarkable outlook on achievements in life. Some people have a strong will to succeed but do not have the ambition to authorize their power, while others have ambition or dreams, but they do not possess a strong will. The author assures that by acknowledging their belief, readers are bound to succeed irrespective of all limitations and hurdles. This book is certainly one of the greatest classics written by Orison. Orison Swett Marden was an American writer associated with the New Thought Movement. He was a successful hotel owner who also persevered in advancing himself and graduated from Boston University in 1871. He later graduated from Harvard with an M. D. in 1881 and an L. L. B. degree in 1882. His writings discuss common-sense principles and virtues that make for a well-rounded, successful life. Many of his ideas are based on New Thought Philosophy. His first book, 'Pushing to the Front' (1894), became an instant best-seller.

Stories from Life is a classic and venerable self-help book from Orison Swett Marden. To make a life, as well as to make a living, is one of the supreme objects for which we must all struggle. The sooner we realize what this means, the greater and more worthy will be the life which we shall make.

The lives of great businessmen and magnates carry valuable lessons; this set of biographies directly quotes the subjects, so that the reader may learn the habits and principles that helped their success. We find a variety of life stories here, from household names such as John D. Rockefeller and Thomas Edison, to those in commerce less remembered in the modern era. All have lessons and advice to impart, whether it is their daily routine, working habits, or means of seeking out and achieving opportunities in the world of commerce. The author does not restrict his narrative to the world of business - singers, songwriters, authors and academics also feature, explaining how they attained success and recognition. Several women feature in this biographical collection, their stories showing that ability and success can be achieved by anyone. The author is also careful to present multiple kinds of success, rather than focus solely on financial gain; the power to educate and enlighten people through science, or lift their spirits through music and the creative arts, also feature. This collection may thus be considered a well-rounded guide to those who expressed the highest human virtues, and changed humanity for the better.

The soul-consuming and friction-wearing tendency of this hurrying, grasping, competing age is the excuse for this booklet. Is it not an absolute necessity to get rid of all irritants, of everything which worries and frets, and which brings discord into so many lives? Cheerfulness has a wonderful lubricating power. It lengthens the life of human machinery, as lubricants lengthen the life of inert machinery. Life's delicate bearings should not be carelessly ground away for mere lack of oil. What is needed is a habit of cheerfulness, to enjoy every day as we go along; not to fret and stew all the week, and then expect to make up for it Sunday or on some holiday. It is not a question of mirth so much as of cheerfulness; not alone that which accompanies laughter, but serenity, --a calm, sweet soul-contentment and inward peace. Are there not multitudes of people who have the "blues," who yet wish well to their neighbors? They would say kind words and make the world happier--but they "haven't the time." To lead them to look on the sunny side of things, and to take a little time every day to speak pleasant words, is the message of the hour.