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Rev. Theodore T. Munger (Theodore Thornton Munger),
On the Threshold, “Chapter 1: ‘Purpose,’ Quote Page 9,” - Rev. Theodore T. Munger
© 1880, Houghton, Mifflin and Company, Boston, Massachusetts
 

“A purpose is the eternal condition of success.
Nothing will take its place.

Talent will not;
nothing is more common than unsuccessful men of talent.

Genius will not;
unrewarded genius is a proverb; … .
The chance of events, the push of circumstances, will not.
The natural unfolding of faculties will not.

Education will not;
the country is full of unsuccessful educated men;
indeed, it is a problem of society
what to do with the young men it is turning out
of its colleges and professional schools.

There is no road to success
but through a clear, strong purpose.”