The Art of Life

The great art of life, so far as I have been able to ob-

serve, consists in fortitude and perseverance. I have

rarely seen that a man who conscientiously devoted him-

self to the studies and duties of any profession, and did

not omit to take fair and honorable opportunities of of-

fering himself to notice when such presented themselves,

has not at length got forward. The mischance of those

who fall behind, though flung upon fortune, more fre-

quently arises from want of skill and perseverance. Life,

young friends, is like a game at cards. Our hands are

alternately good or bad, and the whole seems, at first

glance, to depend on mere chance. But it is not so, for

in the long run the skill of the player predominates over

the casualties of the game. Therefore, do not be dis-

couraged with the prospect before you, but ply your

studies hard, and qualify yourselves to receive fortune

when she comes your way.—SIR WALTER SCOTT.