You are people with a present and with a future. Don't muff the ball. Be excellent.

I have been quoted as saying, 'Do the best you can.' But I want to emphasize that it be the very best. We are too prone to be satisfied with mediocre performance. We are capable of doing so much better.

We too must work. Nothing happens in this world until there is work. You never plow a field by turning it over in your mind. You have to put your hands to the handles of the plow and walk forward. It is easier now, but the principle is the same. There must be work, and what a great and wonderful blessing that is.

You do not at all understand my manner of life. Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry; because I never undertake any more work than I can go through with perfect calmness of spirit.

In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are effects, and the energy of the effort is the measure of the result. Chance isn't. Gifts, powers, cloth, highbrow, and spiritual possessions are the fruits of effort; they're thoughts completed, items carried out, visions found out.

Those who are not prepared for the apprehension of a great purpose should fix the thoughts upon the faultless performance of their duty, no matter how insignificant their task may appear. Only in this way can the thoughts be gathered and focussed, and resolution and energy be developed, which being done, there is nothing which may not be accomplished.

Do not long to do great and laudable things; these will do themselves if you do your present task nobly.

In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are re- sults. The strength of the effort is the measure of the result. Change is not. Gifts, powers, material, intel-lectual and spiritual possessions are the fruits of ef- fort. They are thoughts com- pleted, objectives accom- plished, visions realized.

In the spiritual as the material, nothing is done without labor, and the higher cannot be known until the lower is fulfilled.

Not only great happiness but great power arises from doing little things unselfishly, wisely, and perfectly, for life in its totality is made up of little things. Wisdom inheres in the common details of everyday existence, and when the parts are made perfect the Whole will be without blemish.

Great sculptors and artists spend countless hours perfecting their talents. They don't pick up a chisel or a brush and palette, expecting immediate perfection. They understand that they will make many errors as they learn, but they start with the basics, the key fundamentals first.

Cooks are an undervalued, awesome profession.