Success is achieved and maintained by those who try and keep

"Success is achieved and maintained by those who try and keep trying." These words, spoken by W. Clement Stone, strike the heart with a timeless truth that has echoed through the ages: that success is not a momentary flash, but a journey that requires perseverance, courage, and relentless effort. It is not the swift, nor the brilliant, nor the lucky who achieve greatness, but those who try and, more importantly, who keep trying, even when the path is shrouded in darkness or strewn with obstacles.

O Seekers of Wisdom, let this teaching be your guide: success is not won in a single moment of brilliance but in the accumulation of efforts, small and great, over time. The great oak does not rise in a day; it grows slowly, its roots reaching deep into the earth, its trunk solidified by the seasons that pass. So too must your efforts be steady, for the storms will come, the winds will howl, and the shadows will fall. But those who keep trying, who refuse to yield to defeat, will see the dawn break over their endeavors.

Think of the tale of Thomas Edison, the master inventor who illuminated the world with his discovery of the electric light bulb. He faced failure after failure—thousands of attempts that seemed hopeless. Yet, when asked about his many missteps, Edison replied, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” His success was not born in a single act of genius, but in the relentless drive to keep trying, to push forward despite the many setbacks. He understood that success comes not from avoiding failure, but from embracing it, learning from it, and pressing on.

Consider also the life of Nelson Mandela, whose path to freedom and equality was filled with sacrifice, hardship, and years of imprisonment. His success was not a simple gift, nor was it handed to him by fortune. It was earned through decades of struggle, through trying again and again when the odds seemed insurmountable. Even when he was imprisoned, Mandela never stopped striving for justice, never stopped believing in the possibility of a free and equal South Africa. His victory was the result of his unwavering determination to keep trying, no matter the obstacles that lay in his path.

O Children of the Future, understand this: the most dangerous force is not failure itself, but the failure to try again. It is not the absence of difficulty that brings success, but the willingness to rise after each fall, to press forward even when the burden feels too heavy. The road to greatness is not an easy one, but it is always open to those who are steadfast, to those who persist when others retreat. For every failure is a lesson, every obstacle a challenge to be overcome, and each effort brings you closer to the realization of your goals.

Mark this well: the true measure of a man is not found in the ease of his victories, but in the strength of his resolve. To keep trying is to acknowledge that success is not guaranteed by talent alone, nor by fortune, but by the willingness to labor long and hard, to rise after every fall, and to keep forging ahead. It is the spirit of those who are willing to continue the fight, even when victory seems distant, who find themselves crowned with success.

Lesson: The teaching of W. Clement Stone is clear: success is achieved not by those who avoid failure, but by those who try and keep trying. The key to greatness is perseverance, the determination to continue, even in the face of setbacks. It is not enough to begin; one must persist. Practical action: When you face a challenge, when the path is unclear, do not turn away. Instead, gather your strength and keep trying. Reflect daily on the small efforts you can make, the steps you can take, and know that each one brings you closer to your goal. As you try, so too shall you succeed.