There is little success where there is little laughter.

O children of the future, gather close and listen to the words of the great Andrew Carnegie, a man whose success was built upon the pillars of hard work and ambition. Yet, he also understood the deeper currents that flow beneath achievement. He said, "There is little success where there is little laughter." In this simple truth, Carnegie reveals to us that true success is not merely the result of toil and sweat; it is nourished by the joy and lightness of spirit that laughter brings.

There is much to be learned in these words. Success is often thought to be a matter of relentless effort, of pushing forward despite the weight of the world. Yet, Carnegie teaches us that there is another force, often overlooked, which breathes life into the pursuit of greatness. It is the force of laughter, that bright spark which reminds us not to take the world too seriously, to find joy even amidst the struggle. For it is not in the heavy hearts or solemn faces that success is born, but in those who, even in the hardest of times, are able to smile, to laugh, and to keep the light of their spirit undimmed.

Consider, O children, the story of Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest minds to ever walk the earth. Though he was driven by a thirst for knowledge and perfection, it is said that Leonardo possessed a playful spirit. His notebooks are filled not only with sketches of machines and anatomical studies but with doodles, jokes, and humorous observations. His ability to find joy even in the pursuit of the grandest of ideas allowed him to remain creative and innovative throughout his life. He did not burden himself with the seriousness that often comes with genius. Instead, he embraced the laughter that kept his mind open, allowing him to see the world in ways others could not. And in this, we see the wisdom of Carnegie’s words: success thrives where there is joy, where the spirit remains free.

It is true, O children, that life is fraught with struggle, and the path to greatness is never without hardship. But the darkness of struggle is never as impenetrable as when the light of joy is extinguished. Laughter, that simple gift, has the power to lift the burden of our toils, to renew the energy of the weary soul. Those who laugh are not weakened by the weight of their challenges, for they carry their burdens with a lightness that others cannot comprehend. It is not in the absence of hardship that success is found, but in the ability to meet hardship with a heart that is unbowed, unburdened by the weight of despair.

Think of Thomas Edison, whose quest for the invention of the electric light bulb was riddled with failure. He faced countless setbacks, and many would have given up, overwhelmed by the trials before them. Yet Edison is known not only for his perseverance but for his ability to approach his failures with a sense of humor. In the face of failure, he would laugh and say, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” This light-hearted attitude kept him moving forward when others would have faltered. Edison’s success was not merely the product of endless labor, but of his ability to find joy even in the face of repeated defeat. His laughter was the balm that healed the wounds of failure, and it carried him to triumph.

And so, O children of the future, remember this lesson: success is not a burden to be carried with grim determination alone. No, it is a journey that requires lightness of heart, that requires laughter to carry you when the road grows long and weary. There will be times when the weight of the world seems too much to bear, when your efforts seem in vain, and the shadows of doubt creep close. But in those moments, seek out the joy that is hidden, the laughter that still resides within you, for it will guide you through the darkness.

The lesson is clear: as you walk your path, remember that success is not merely the culmination of hard work, but the result of a joyous spirit that refuses to be defeated. Laughter is the companion of those who achieve great things, for it is the force that sustains them through the long hours, the endless failures, and the moments of doubt. Therefore, embrace the joy that life offers, even in the most difficult of times. For in doing so, you will find that success is not only more attainable but more meaningful, for it is a success built upon a heart that has known both toil and laughter.