He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved
much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little
children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the
world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or
a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty, or failed
to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given the best
he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.
[1] The
creator of these famous lines was not a famous writer, but an everyday
housewife from Nebraska. This November 30, 1905 article from the Lincoln Sentinel explains further:
(Source: skyways.lib.ks.us)
“What Constitutes Success” A $250 Prize Story by a Lincoln Woman
A few weeks ago Mrs. A.J. Stanley at the
earnest solicitation of Mr. Stanley wrote an essay on “What constitutes
success” for entrance in a contest carried on by the George Livingston Richards
Co. of Boston, Mass. It was required that the essay should be confined to 100
words and should be the best definition of what constituted success, neatness
and several of the requirements being taken into consideration. The essay was
entered in competition with hundreds of others from all parts of the country.
Last Saturday when Mrs. Stanley was notified that she had won the first prize
of $250 she did not credit the good news and laughing told Mr. Stanley he could
have half.
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