The Key to Success
Character; Education; Industry; Wealth.
These are the successive stages on the road to success, and they follow in their regular order.
Character belongs to every man individually, and can not be copied from another. It lies in the man; that is all anybody can tell about it. Natural probity combined with insight into what you are doing, your trade, business, occupation, etc., are the factors that make up character. It is different from reputation, for a man may have a bad reputation and still possess a good character. But he can not have a bad character and possess a good reputation. The power to succeed in business is character.
Education goes with character, and means more than learning or mere knowing. It means capacity and ability to utilize what you know. This is education.
You must not only know things but also know how to apply your knowledge, otherwise you are as well off as if you knew nothing.
Industry means diligence in developing character and utilizing education for all they are worth.
“The hand of the diligent maketh rich,” says Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived. He also says, “The diligent gaineth favor.”
Wealth comes by the observance of the foregoing and certain things which should be added. For instance:
To become industrious you must give yourself and your fellow man a fair exchange for what you receive.
You must watch your intellectual, spiritual and worldly welfare.
Progressive Colored Americans must seek opportunity which does not come of itself, and which has been denied them in the past.
You must make yourself, and follow high standards.