Excerpts from "The Greatest Salesman in the World" by Og Mandino

Part One of excerpts from a great little inspirational book by Og Mandino:

"True wealth is of the heart, not of the purse."

"Obstacles are necessary for success because...victory only comes after many struggles and countless defeats. Yet each struggle, each defeat, sharpens your skills and strengths, your courage and your endurance, your ability and your confidence and thus each obstacle is a comrade-in-arms forcing you to become better...or quit. Each rebuff is an opportunity to move forward; turn away from them, avoid them, and you throw away your future."

"Never feel shame for trying and failing for he who has never failed is he who has never tried."

"Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough."

From The Scroll Marked II

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love and I will be born again. I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will welcome happiness for it enlarges my heart; yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due; yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge.

And most of all I will love myself. For when I do I will zealously inspect all things which enter my body, my mind, my soul, my heart. Never will I overindulge the requests of my flesh, rather I will cherish my body with cleanliness and moderation. Never will I allow my mind to be attracted to evil and despair, rather I will uplift it with the knowledge and wisdom of the ages. Never will I allow my soul to become complacent and satisfied, rather I will feed it with meditation and prayer. Never will I allow my heart to become small and bitter, rather I will share it and it will grow and warm the earth.

From The Scroll Marked III

I will persist until I succeed.

I was not delivered into this world in defeat, nor does failure course my veins. I am not a sheep waiting to be prodded by my shepherd. I am a lion and I refuse to talk, to walk, to sleep with the sheep.
The slaughterhouse of failure is not my destiny.
I will persist until I succeed.

From The Scroll Marked IX

My dreams are worthless, my plans are dust, my goals are impossible. All are of no value unless they are followed by action.
I will act now.