Originally published in 1859, this book is a seminal work of self-improvement literature. Drawing on the lives of famous figures throughout history, Samuel Smiles offers insights into the qualities and behaviors that lead to success and happiness in life. This is an inspiring and practical guide for anyone seeking to improve their lot in life. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.