“Would you advise a young man to enter the political field?”
“By no means! I should advise him to keep out of it. It is vexatious,
unsatisfactory and unremunerative. I have requested my sons to keep out
of politics, and they have wisely heeded the request.”
“Do you not think that it is the duty of a young man to hold office or
in some way bear his share of the burdens of state?”
“Certainly I do. That is a different thing. I referred to the
undesirable calling of a professional politician.”
“What would you call the essential elements of success in life?”
“Not one thing, or two things, but a number of them harmoniously
blended, and crowned by a true sterling character. True success is not
in making money, nor in securing power, nor in winning praise. It is in
the building up of true manhood that merits and enjoys these things and
employs them for the benefits and happiness of mankind.”
“I forgot to ask you about your health?”
“It has never been robust, but it has been good. I have been very
careful in my habits, and have preserved what bodily energy I needed
for my life plans. Bodily vigor is necessary to the highest success in
any business or profession.”