Page 30 - Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich Full Book | Success Learned
P. 30

planted a rose in its place.

Booker T. Washington was born in slavery, handicapped by race and color. Be-
cause he was tolerant, had an open mind at all times, on all subjects, and was a
DREAMER, he left his impress for good on an entire race.

Beethoven was deaf, Milton was blind, but their names will last as long as time
endures, because they dreamed and translated their dreams into organized
thought.

Before passing to the next chapter, kindle anew in your mind the fire of hope,
faith, courage, and tolerance. If you have these states of mind, and a working
knowledge of the principles described, all else that you need will come to you,
when you are READY for it. Let Emerson state the thought in these words, "Every
proverb, every book, every byword that belongs to thee for aid and comfort shall
surely come home through open or winding passages.

Every friend whom not thy fantastic will, but the great and tender soul in thee
craveth, shall lock thee in his embrace."

There is a difference between WISHING for a thing and being READY to receive
it. No one is ready for a thing, until he believes he can acquire it. The state of mind
must be BELIEF, not mere hope or wish. Open-mindedness is essential for belief.
Closed minds do not inspire faith, courage, and belief.

Remember, no more effort is required to aim high in life, to demand abundance
and prosperity, than is required to accept misery and poverty. A great poet has
correctly stated this universal truth through these lines:

"I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store.

30

NAPOLEON HILL THINK AND GROW RICH

"For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.

"I worked for a menial's hire,
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