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The history of biography is replete with examples of guiding principles and rules of conduct which have inspired its characters. Their testimonies are to the effect that a motto or life slogan can be of inestimable worth.
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Russell H. Conwell was greatly helped in accomplishing the quantity of work that he did by the observance of a rule adopted early in life, “Do it now.”
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Charles W. Elliot’s recipe for living happily was Edward Everett Hale’s motto: “Look up and not down; look out and not in; look forward and not back; and lend a hand.”
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One of Theodore Roosevelt’s life rules was, “It is better to be faithful than famous.”
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Alexander M. Mackay, famous missionary, took as his life principle, “An idle life can never be a Christian one.”
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Thomas A. Edison was also an apostle of work, as is shown by his motto, “Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits.”
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Savonarola’s motto was Psalm 143:8: “Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust; cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”
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Addison writes of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works whose motto was, “Serve God, and be cheerful.”
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Mary Slessor, the young woman who went alone into the wilds of Africa to take the gospel to the most savage tribe in that land, had as her life’s motto, “I'll tell the Master.”
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Elizabeth Houston, mother of Sam Houston, gave her son a ring when he left to confront the world, on the inner surface of which was engraved a short creed that she said must ever shine in his conduct. It was, “Honour.”
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Bill Borden, millionaire missionary, had two mottos, Psalm 119:9 and 11.
What is your motto?
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