Perseverance personified

"Failed at Something? Good. Failed again? Excellent. You are a lucky devil you know, to be learning from the best teacher in the whole world. Because that's what failure really is. A teacher. A rung in the ladder. A clever device to test your talent, your courage, your thirst for success. And if you persevere and push, and hang on long enough, and grit your teeth, and still manage to smile, you'll bask in the sunshine. What's more, you'll sleep well at night."

No, it's not a poem but an ad published, under the title On Not Giving Up, by Raymonds, a high quality textile suitings manufacturer in India.

The purpose of my reciting this ad was the article Lincoln's hometown a popular destination in The Jakarta Post dated July 4, 1995.

This article, inter-alia, mentioned that Abraham Lincoln, at the ages between 22 and 28, worked as a laborer, store clerk, merchant, county surveyor and postmaster. He also studied law during this period and later worked as a lawyer for 20 years. The story went on to state that many people admired him because of his rise from humble origins, from a log cabin to the presidency.

Your article was apparently published in relation to the tourist attractions and historical sites in the U.S., associated with Lincoln's life. But, let us ponder over what exactly was the secret of his success.

His career chart, given below for the benefit of readers, makes interesting reading, his age appears in brackets. Failed in business (22), ran for legislator--defeated (23), again failed in business (24), elected as legislator (25), sweetheart died (26), had a nervous breakdown (27), ran for Speaker, failed (29), ran for Congress, defeated (34), elected to Congress (37), defeated for Congress, (39), ran for Senate, defeated (46), ran for Vice President, defeated (47), ran for Senate, defeated (49), elected President of U.S.A. (51).

Well, that is the record of Abraham Lincoln.

Greatness is never hereditary. It is acquired only after toiling through many years of hardship. That's why it is said that when we see a man on top of a mountain, let us remember--he didn't fall there!

For Abraham Lincoln, destiny was not a matter of chance but a matter of choice. His life-story exemplifies that this great man had indeed personified persistence and perseverance.

Winston Churchill was once requested to deliver a lecture to a convocation of University students. The students were very eagerly waiting to hear him. His speech, labeled as his shortest lecture in his life-time, contained just three words: "Never give up, never give up, never give up!"

D. CHANDRAMOULI

Jakarta