NAUGHT ACHIEVED WITHOUT LABOR.
By George A. Gates
It is of no use to say that hard work can do all things. Without some modicum of native ability, the hardest work cannot accomplish very much. But this at least is true, without hard work the best results cannot be achieved by ability, however great. If a magnificent piece of work seems to be turned off easily and rapidly by someone, the ease and speed are a delusion. There lies behind that, believe me, somewhere in the past, some of the most genuine and patient hard work, stern and prosaic. If there is power in a man's words, you may depend upon it the power has been stored up behind the words with toil and patience. I do not believe there is any exception to this. A great occasion can only bring out what there is in one already. The occasion cannot create the power; it can only furnish the opportunity for the existing power to reveal itself. The occasion will only exhibit the abject helplessness of him who is not ready for it. Every day in your work here will furnish the observing mind with overabundant instances of this fact.—President Geo. A. Gates, in Advance.