“The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world a better place than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.”
Bessie Anderson Stanley (born Caroline Elizabeth Anderson (March 25, 1879 - October 2, 1952) was an American writer, the author of the poem “Success” (“What is success?” Or “”What constitutes success?”), which is often incorrectly attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson or Robert Louis Stevenson. She was born in Newton, Iowa, and married Arthur Jehu Stanley in 1900, living thereafter in Lincoln, Kansas. Her poem was written in 1904 for a contest held in Brown Book Magazine, by George Livingston Richards Co. of Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Stanley submitted the words in the form of an essay, rather than as a poem. The competition was to answer the question, “What is success?” in 100 words or less. Mrs. Stanley won the first prize of $250. The verse is inscribed on her gravestone in Lincoln Cemetery, Kansas.
Thanks Denise for the text and information!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the contest,
it makes us finally think about what happiness is,
for me her text expresses in many places,
it is a huge success after so many years and with so many changes a text inspires...
🧡
You are very welcome Katerina, and thank you :) I liked that idea also and I agree.
DeleteThis is a good quote, but I don't think very many are this perfect! Something to strive for though, and set goals.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ginny and agree! As the old saying goes, none of us are perfect but quotes like this are food for thought and a hopeful guideline :)
DeleteThat sounds like a very fine man indeed - someone we can all aspire to become.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue, very much so :)
DeleteWonderful quote. Many time quotes make us think.
ReplyDeleteVery true Margaret and thank you :)
DeleteHello Denise,
ReplyDeleteI love the poem, we should all leave this earth a better place. Take care, enjoy your day! Have a wonderful week!
Couldn’t agree more Eileen :) Thank you, I wish you the same.
DeleteSounds easy, but definitely hard to achieve....thank you for sharing it, Denise.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Angie :) for some, very hard but for others even a few would be impressive.
DeleteThat's something we could all aspire to.
ReplyDeleteTrue Janice, very true :)
DeleteSeems like too tall an order for anyone.
ReplyDeleteNone of us are perfect but I have met a few people who have had a lot of these qualities, and I have greatly admired them for it :) it is not something they tried to be, they just were, it was their nature. They were good people.
DeleteWhat a fantastic quote. I love the picture too. I want to save that and try and draw it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann :) That’s great, I would love to see what you do with this picture.
DeleteWell said!
ReplyDeleteHappy you think so, thank you :)
DeleteI have never known a man who did all this, or a woman either. I get it though, this is what we, mankind should be, not what we are.. strive to be this way is the message I think
ReplyDeleteI think that’s what Bessie’s message was. Thanks Sandra :)
DeleteWell said
ReplyDeleteI thought so too Christine :) thank you!
DeleteVery beautiful words....and new to me thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteHugs cecilia
I am glad you think so Cecilia, thank you :) sending hugs!
DeleteWe may not achieve all of this but if only some is is our life, it is a good life.
ReplyDeleteCouldn’t agree more Sandra, thank you :)
DeleteA splendid quote and a lovely illustration!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeanie, happy you enjoyed them :)
DeleteHappy Sunday 😊
ReplyDeleteAnd to you too Ashok, thank you :)
DeleteHadn't read that before and so glad you gave her the credit due.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't the world be a better place if more people strived to be better people?
Couldn’t have said it better Rita, very much so and thank you :) Sending hugs!
DeleteSomeone created a very good competition.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly did :)
DeleteThank you for sharing these very good words ...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Sunday and the coming new week.
All the best Jan
The words really teach how we should live our lives
ReplyDeleteThat was a nice poem, Denise, and I love the red poppies.
ReplyDeleteHave a pleasant week ahead.
~Sheri
Lindos versos. Ten una buena semana.
ReplyDelete