One meaning of the word industry is manufactures,
mining, agriculture, etc., the arts by which useful articles are produced, as
opposed to trade and commerce, by which such articles are distributed. In this
sense we talk of the industrial development of a country, meaning the
improvement of its various branches of industry. But we are to deal here with
industry in its primary sense, which is diligence or habitual employment in
some useful pursuit.
There is no doubt that the habit of industry is essential
to success in any business, art or work. The idler or casual worker may
possible get a fortune by sheer luck, but as a rule idleness, or even spasmodic
and irregular work, leads to failure. No man has built up a large business,
made a fortune won fame as an artist or author or scholar, made Discoveries in
science, or indeed accomplished anything in life, who has not worked hard and
long and methodically. This applies even to men of genius. Sir Joshua Reynolds,
the famous English portrait painter of the 18th century, said in a letter to a
friend: “Whoever is resolved to excel in painting, or indeed in any other art,
must bring his entire mind to bear upon that one object from the moment that he
rises till he goes to bed. He also said: Those who are resolved to excel must
go to their work, willing or unwilling, morning, noon and night” they will find
it no play, but hard labor” . And Reynolds himself practiced what he preached.
Industry or diligence must be made a habit in
youth; for it is very difficult to get out of the habit of idleness, once it is
formed, in later life. The young man who gets into the way of shirking his
daily work, or of scamming it to get it through as quickly as possible, will
not only be a failure, but will be an idler all his days.
Industry not only brings success, but is a true
source of happiness. Regular daily work, which has to be done, even though at
times it is irksome and tiring, gives a man in the end far more solid
contentment than any amount of pleasure seeking. People who have nothing to do
soon become discontented, and get into the way of feverishly indulging in
passing pleasures to fill up the time that hangs so heavy on their hands. But
they find no lasting peace or happiness in this way.
Lastly, industry gives a man the satisfaction of
independence. The steady worker, who earns all he has by honest toil and owes
no man anything, can look the world in the face, being dependent on none. Every
body knows that there is no royal road to success but hard work. There is no
doubt that industry is key to success. If we study the lives of great men in
the world we would come to know that all of them worked hard and made their
mark. Industry brings us happiness, prosperity and success. There is nothing
like industry in the world.