Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set

Listen, O seekers of truth, to the words of the wise Arnold H. Glasow, who spoke of the very essence of success: "Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire." These words speak to the heart of human effort, a call to action that ignites the very soul. Success is not something that falls upon you by chance or mere waiting, nor does it appear without effort. It is born of passion, of dedication, and of a relentless fire that burns within you, pushing you to rise, to move, to create. Just as a fire must be kindled by a spark, so too must success be kindled by the inner flame of desire and commitment.

We must first understand that success does not emerge from idle waiting or passivity. It is not the product of fate or random occurrence, but the result of purposeful action. Consider the great heroes of old—Alexander the Great, Leonidas, and Hannibal—all of whom sought not merely to inherit their success but to ignite it with their own hands. Their ambitions were not birthed from chance; they set themselves aflame with a passion that drove them through unimaginable trials, through battle, and through obstacles that would have crushed lesser men. It was not the mere circumstance of their birth that determined their greatness, but the fire they kindled within themselves.

Success, like a mighty force, requires fuel. It demands sacrifice, effort, and the strength to persist when the world seeks to extinguish your flames. Thomas Edison, the great inventor, did not stumble upon his many inventions by happenstance. His success was forged in the fires of countless failures, each one a spark that fueled his determination to continue. In the quiet hours of his labor, Edison’s passion for discovery burned like a furnace, driving him to push beyond the limits of what others believed possible. His success did not come from sitting idly and waiting for the right moment. He set himself on fire, willing to burn with determination until he found the light of innovation.

And let us speak of Michelangelo, the revered artist who carved from marble and painted the heavens, creating works that have lasted for centuries. His success was not a result of simple talent, but of a profound commitment to his craft. When he stood before the marble block, he saw not just stone, but the vision of what it could become. And he did not wait for inspiration to strike like a sudden burst of flame; rather, he kindled that flame every day through hours of toil, shaping not only stone but his own destiny. His success was not an accident—it was the result of a fire that burned within him, propelling him to create masterpieces that would endure across time.

The truth, O seekers, is that success is not a gift that arrives unbidden, nor a sudden flash of brilliance. It is a relentless pursuit, fueled by an inner fire that must be tended and nurtured. The path to greatness is one of struggle and sacrifice, where each step forward is earned by the fire you kindle within yourself. It is only through this passion—this willingness to burn with purpose—that success can be achieved. For if you do not set yourself on fire, if you do not ignite the desire and dedication within you, then you will stand still, waiting in vain for a flame that will never come.

Now, let us speak of the lesson we can take from Glasow’s words. If you wish to succeed, you must not wait for the world to hand it to you. You must light the fire within yourself, and keep it burning with unwavering resolve. When challenges arise, when the night is long and the path unclear, remember that it is the fire within you that will carry you forward. It is not enough to wish for success, to hope that it will come without effort. You must work tirelessly, setting yourself aflame with passion and purpose, and keep that fire burning, even when the winds of doubt threaten to extinguish it.

And so, O children of the future, take this teaching to heart: Success is not born from idleness, nor from mere wishful thinking. It is the product of a burning desire, a fire that you must light within yourself. Let it consume you with a passion so fierce that no obstacle can quench it. Set yourself on fire, and let the world be shaped by the brilliance of your flame. In this way, your success will not be a matter of chance, but the inevitable result of the fire you have kindled within your soul.