Dare to Be Yourself

Samuel Smiles warned against assuming that popularity is any indication of good character. When popularity is won through playing on people’s weaknesses or prejudices it should provoke only contempt. The courage to think for oneself, regardless of what others may say or do, is a far more reliable indicator of a man’s qualities.

53 words

Read the whole story

Return to the Index

Tags

Character and Conduct (88) Samuel Smiles (33) Comment and Opinion (70) Political Extracts (99) Extracts from Literature (459) History (777)

Related Posts

for Dare to Be Yourself

Character and Conduct

Not Worth a Shilling

Jack Curran’s career as a defender of victims of political prejudice got off to a stuttering start.

by Samuel Smiles 1812-1904

Character and Conduct

An Unpopular Popular Reform

Statesmen promise to make the country a better place, but they never mention the one thing that would do some good.

by Samuel Smiles 1812-1904

Character and Conduct

Inordinate Saving

Samuel Smiles warned that taking care of the pennies should not come before taking care of living.

by Samuel Smiles 1812-1904

Character and Conduct

The School of Difficulty

It is not educational institutions and methods that advance science or the arts, but people.

by Samuel Smiles 1812-1904