Listen to episode 205 of the Inspirational Living podcast: The Ethical Entrepreneur | Motivation for Entrepreneurs. Edited and adapted from The Book of Business by Elbert Hubbard.

Podcast Excerpt: Genius is only the power of making continuous effort. The line between failure and success is so fine that we scarcely know when we pass it— so fine that we are often on the line and do not know it. How many a person has thrown up their hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience, would have achieved success. As the tide goes clear out, so it comes clear in. In business, sometimes, prospects may seem darkest when really they are on the turn.

A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success. There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no really insurmountable barrier save our own inherent weakness of purpose.

Humankind is under the domain of Natural Law as much as bees. We succeed only by working with others and for others. Success lies in mutual service. This great truth concerning the solidarity of humanity marks a mental epoch in the onward and the upward march. It was hinted at pretty strongly in 1776, and carried into business as an experiment about 1876. It is no longer an experiment.

The Spirit of the Times — the Zeitgeist, to borrow a word from our German friends — is a constantly progressing entity. The present Spirit of the Times is of a kind unequaled in history. We have thousands upon thousands of men and women who are thinking great and noble thoughts and doing great and splendid work.  Increasing numbers of entrepreneurs regard themselves as public servants. Our Zeitgeist is sensitive, restless, alert, impressionable, progressive, and is making for a better future.

The entrepreneur who can imagine a better future than now exists is able to throw their vision on computer screens around the world, and the individual who can formulate a better government than we now have is not hanged for their pains, but is allowed to express their dreams……

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