Let a man once see himself as others see him, and all enthusiasm vanishes from his heart.
Elbert HubbardIn a state of nature, the weakest go to the wall; in a state of over-refinement, both the weak and the strong go to the gutter.
Elbert HubbardWriters seldom write the things they think. They simply write the things they think other folks think they think.
Elbert HubbardIt is not book learning young men need, nor instruction about this and that, but a stiffening of the vertebra which will cause them to be loyal to a trust, to act promptly, concentrate their energies, do a thing.
Elbert HubbardIt is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true test.
Elbert HubbardThe valuable person in any business is the individual who can and will cooperate with others.
Elbert HubbardAcademic education is the act of memorizing things read in books, and things told by college professors who got their education mostly by memorizing things read in books.
Elbert HubbardOf all the mental and physical polluters of life, nothing exercises such a poisonous effect as fear.
Elbert HubbardOrganized religion, being founded on superstition, is, perforce, not scientific. And all that which is not scientific - that is, truthful - must be bolstered up by force, fear and falsehood. Thus we always find slavery and organized religion going hand in hand.
Elbert HubbardProgress needs the brakeman, but the brakeman should not spend all his time putting on the brakes.
Elbert HubbardArt is the beautiful way of doing things. Science is the effective way of doing things. Business is the economic way of doing things.
Elbert HubbardLife is a paradox. Every truth has its counterpart which contradicts it; and every philosopher supplies the logic his own undoing.
Elbert HubbardMorality is the thing upon which your friends smile, and immorality is the thing upon which they frown
Elbert HubbardSuccess is the most natural thing in the world. The person who does not succeed has placed himself in opposition to the laws of the Universe.
Elbert HubbardFolks who never do any more than they get paid for, never get paid for any more than they do
Elbert HubbardMartyrs and persecutors are the same type of man. As to which is the persecutor and which the martyr, this is only a question of transient power.
Elbert HubbardWhere parents do too much for their children, the children will not do much for themselves.
Elbert HubbardTruth, in its struggles for recognition, passes through four distinct stages. First, we say it is damnable, dangerous, disorderly, and will surely disrupt society. Second, we declare it is heretical, infidelic and contrary to the Bible. Third, we say it is really a matter of no importance either one way or the other. Fourth, we aver that we have always upheld it and believed it.
Elbert HubbardIt may happen sometimes that a long debate becomes the cause of a longer friendship. Commonly, those who dispute with one another at last agree.
Elbert HubbardFormal religion was organized for slaves: it offered them consolation which earth did not provide.
Elbert HubbardLove grows by giving. The love we give away is the only love we keep. The only way to retain love is to give it away.
Elbert Hubbard