Samuel Smiles

Samuel Smiles (1812-1904) was a Scottish government reformer and author famous for his book "Self-Help", which championed frugal living and argued that the existence of poverty was mainly due to irresponsible habits. The book has been hailed as "the bible of mid-Victorian liberalism" and immediately made a celebrity of Smiles. After its success, Smiles wrote other self-help books, including this volume. In "Duty", Smiles explores the importance of living a dutiful life, looking at the different types of duty and the benefits to happiness that can be brought from their adherence. Contents include: "Duty--Conscience", "Duty in Action", "Honesty--Truth", "Men Who Cannot be Bought", "Courage--Endurance", "Endurance to the End--Savonarola", "The Sailor", "The Soldier", "Heroism in Well-doing", "Sympathy", "Philanthropy", "Heroism in Missions", "Kindness to Animals", "Humanity to Horses", etc. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with the original text and artwork. This book was first published in 1880.

This volume is dedicated to helping people to "apply themselves diligently to right pursuits--sparing neither labour, pains, nor self-denial in prosecuting them--and to rely upon their own efforts in life." Though the author admits that his lessons are "old-fashioned," he nevertheless delivers still-useful lectures on such commonsense concepts as the importance of learning from failure, how work is the best teacher, and the value of thrift, gentility, and honesty, all peppered with examples of such noble industry from the lives of writers, scientists, artists, inventors, educators, philanthropists, missionaries, and martyrs. Newly designed and typeset in a modern 6-by-9-inch format by Waking Lion Press.

The classic work for those who want to improve their lives by improving themselves. Samuel Smiles discusses the underlying principles that can lead anyone to success, including work, courage, self-control, duty, and truthfulness--virtues that sound old-fashioned to many but are nevertheless the real keys to a happy life. Newly designed and typeset in a modern 6-by-9-inch format by Waking Lion Press.