Luck and Labor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 4, 1873

Many people complain of their bad luck, when they ought to blame their own want of wisdom and action. Cobden, a distinguished writer in England, thus wrote about luck and labor:—

“Luck is always waiting for something to turn up. Labor, with keen eyes and strong will, will turn up something. Luck lies in bed and wishes the postman would bring him the news of a legacy. Labor turns out at six o’clock, and with busy pen or ringing hammer lays the foundation of a competence. Luck whines. Labor whistles. Luck relies on chances. Labor, on character. Luck slips down to indigence. Labor strikes upward to independence.”