The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-06-07
Success In Life.

Success In Life.
For man to be really successful
in the ne,o!y-seNlel portions Of q cou,,-
try, the most essential element is q
power to turn his hand to anything.
It is not 30 necessary for him to be
skillful i'll any particular branch rs
to be able to apply himself, with
moderate efficiency to several. A
quick eye, firm will, md ready
hand, are the prime elements of sue
cess in new settlements. But as
time proceeds the division of labor
comes in, and in proportion as any
settlement is more advanced, it is
more necessary that each should be
thoroughly proficient in one thing
rather than moderately proficient in
many things. If man has always
lived in city, and has attained great
skill in some pursuit, he will succeed
better there than if he remove to n
newly-settled country. He whose
forte is variety and quickness of
adaptation, will rise most in new
and growing territory. BY keeping
this in mind, many would be saved
from misfortune and ruin, and much
productive power be gained to the
world.
The labor of each man in the sphere
of his greatest adaptedness goes fur
towards promoting the prosperity OF
society, while, at the same time, each
mans own happiness and success de-
pend greatly upon his being in that
occupation in which he is most useful
to his fellow-beings. The very con.
sciousness of his being in such q
position will, of itself, be a secret
spring of happiness, far beyond what
is generally known. Especially is it
necessary for or young men to re-
member this, in the choice of an
occupation. Thousands would thus
acquire independence and respect.
instead OF mourning over disappoint-
ed ambition. Indeed, every one may
be quite sure of this, that his own
lest interest, and that of society in
general, are identical. In choosing
business, therefore, let him examine
it carefully, in both respects, before
lie decides. The pursuit in which
they both best unite, is that in which
he has most cause to hope for sue
cess. No one should choose any
occupation simply because it is
fashionable, or because he hns seen
examples of fortunes made from it in
short time, or because he thinks lie
may thereby hold more respectable
station III society. The professions
or occupations which furnish these
advantages are already proportions
bly full, and the likelihood Of rising
in them is small. unless unusual
ability can be brought into play.
VI course, some pursuits are more
useful or remunerative than others,
lntrinsically, and many persons
would: perhaps, think that from this
very otk;umstance it would be better
for them to select these. But this
de!s. not necessarily follow. Nature,
habits, education and associations
render men best fitted for different
employments; and the careful parent
and prudent young man can gene.
rally discover from these data 70,
what occupation he is best fitted. A
person in the legal profession has nm
opportunity of doing great good both
to himself and to the country. bnl
if the profession be already crowded
no may fail in doing good to either
and if he enters it with poorer abilit,
or preparation, he may injure societ;
by keeping out better talent, and hs
may himself prove like the rasl
young Phmton Of ancient Mythology
who undertook to drive tile chario
OF the sun. It must also be borne i,
mind that the fact of persons
having peculiar facilities for obtain
ing an unusual degree of perfection
in any particular occupation, is
great indication that this is q mos
suitable sphere for him to occupy