The Habit of Decision
Men who have left their mark upon the world have been men of great and prompt decision. They have been men who do something—and do it at once. Success rides upon the hour of decision.
—O. S. Marden.
Indecision brings its own delays,
And days are lost lamenting o’er lost days.
Are you in earnest? Seise this very minute:
What you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
—William Shakespeare.
The Prayer of a Great Minister
Father, I will not ask for wealth or fame,
Though they once would have joyed my carnal sense:
I shudder not to bear a hated name,
Wanting all wealth, myself my sole defense.
But give me, Lord, eyes to behold the truth;
A seeing sense that knows the eternal right;
A heart with pity filled, and gentlest ruth;
A manly faith that makes all darkness light:
Give me the power to labor for mankind;
Make me the mouth of such as cannot speak;
Eyes let me be to groping men, and blind;
A conscience to the base; and to the weak
Let me be hands and feet; and to the foolish, mind;
And lead still further on such as Thy kingdom seek.
—Theodore Parker.
Alternate Reading: Ruth 1:1-18.