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'^3'tl
The Creed
of the
Conquering Chief
As expounded by the
Inspired Orator
1W1*»J»
An Experiment in Psychology
Vrittw down by
ALBERT LEWIS PELTON
1919
The Pbltok Publishing Co.,
Mbrtdbn, Conn.
KCHSHI
Copyrislitad
1014
A. L* PSLTOir.
J. F. TAPLEY CO
NEW YORK
THE PROFESSOR'S PROLOGUE.
(Hsre follows explanation of how
the Professor came to try out this
experiment in Mind -power. It
gives the scientific basis upon which
it was carried through.) — Authar^s
note.
THE PROFESSOR'S PROLOGUE.
Last evening, at the Psychic Arts Auditorium,
a lecture of striking power and scientific impor-
tance, was delivered under rather tinusual cir-
cumstances.
Today I called upon the Professor and asked
if he would tell me now he came to discover and
apply his principle of "induced inspiration". His
story, as well as the lecture itself, follows :
Man is great !
He is the crowning work of the Maker of all
created things!
But he gains his greatness and maintains his
position of supremacy, solely because he possess-
es that wonderful power : MIND — the ability to
think, reason, and forge forward along such
lines as he chooses.
He is forever impassably separated from all
other orders of creation — because no other has
this "Mind" attribute.
For many years I have been an investigator
in the great field of phenomena known as Psy-
chology — ^the study of the Human mind.
In my studies and researches in the realm of
mental power, my experiments had been largely
in the realm cooMnonly. termed "genius".
2 The Creed of
Genius is the classification given certain men
who exhibit rare qualities of mind-power. It is
used to describe the sort of men who concentrate
and intensify to the nth degree, phases of brain
energy which the mass of men use only in a weak,
scattering way.
Men of Genius are tinmistakable guide-posts
where History records man's passage from the
beginning to the end of world-life. Men of
genius are snow-capped peaks rising above the
foothills covered by the submerged multitudes.
I had sought to discover the causes or secret —
the foundation principle, as it were, of the great
man. Time after time I had mentally asked
myself :
J. Are there any definite laws which the supe-
rior man applies?
2. Is "Genius" a divine endowment — the des-
pair of all to whom it does not come early
and clearly in life?
J. Are men of genius a "race apart' — each
one struck off from the Great Center only
at odd intervals?
Those were some of the questions that I tried
to find answer to in my mind. They caused much
thought and meditation. In whatever direction
I stretched forth my hand for some tangible re-
sult — always was it made manifest ttiat the
genius-mind exemplified these deep truths :
1. Thought intensified,
2. Vision made concrete,
3. Qear observation frozen into fact.
In short — it is Mind-power turned into
The Conquering Chief. 3
ACTION. Genius Is a form of swift, unwaver-
ing, energy-charged, Will-directed Thought-force
vitalised into life. This is the turning point at
which the man of genius separates himself from
the hum-drum crowd.
Thought is Power!
Again and again declare that great truth. Be-
lieve it. Dream it. Go forth and CARRY IT
INTO ACTION.
Ah yes! — ability to think — ^that is the great
man's chief characteristic. It is Brain-energy
turned productive; it is the ever-present trait
which makes men masters.
I have watched men at work and men at play.
I have seen the mass — the so-called "submerged
millions"— and their minds grow little else than
weeds. Their brains are giving them scant
harvests. Something has blighted and stunted
their productiveness. Their brain plants seem to
have scarcely enough depth or root to save them
from blowing across the sands — ^withering and
disappearing.
And they constitute the bulk of mankind !
Yet again — ^here and there I have seen a man
whose mind was productive to a remarkable
degree. Deep, fertile, steadily reaching upwards
— self-centered, sturdy and strong. They owned
brains which were yielding rich fruits of thought
— a Mind in all its greatness.
The Mind has two levels or phases of action.
The upper or surface level which often reveals
beautiful blooms and hangs heavy with rich and
4 The Creed of
luscious fruits — ^those wonderful products of
mental growth and hanrest. The lower level —
that deep, unfathomable sea — is where the sur-
face life roots down and from which it draws its
nourishment and power.
These two levels of the Mind are given tihe
names conscious and sub-consciotis. The mind-
life of which we are aware in the round of the
day's duties, is the Conscious phase of mind.
Deep down below the surface, where exists a
vast mental life of which we are not aware, is
the 8u1>*conscious realm — ^an accumulated reser-
voir of Thought-energy.
It is from these depths that men of genius
draw a brinMning measure of creative power. It
is from this unfailing spring the great man sucks
up into conscious use, tibe huge drafts of thought
or idca-force which he turns into visible ACTION
or RESULTS. Then men call him "genius".
The relation of the upper mind tx> the lower
(under) mind, might be illustrated in this way::
after a heavy rain storm you will find the ground
still damp or wet on the surface. But deeper
and deeper down — ^trickling through the grains
of sand — ^the bulk of the rain has passed, finally
to accumulate far below the surface, awaiting
the call of the artesian drill.
Such a reservoir is ybur sub-conscious mind.
It is incessantly receiving a supply of thought
material from the upper mind ; it is storing, com-
bining, mixing, increasingand amassing POWER.
Great is he who has learned the secret of making
The Conquering Chief. 5
this sub-conscious treasuiy yield up its illimitable
wealth.
I asked of many I met -/What is the secret of
reaching this great reservoir of Powerf How
can this sub-conscious mind be tapped in the way
the genius draws upon it? How can the aver"
age man command this creative force in a master-
ly fashion?'^
And always did those who had given the sub-
ject any thought reply "O, genius is just 'inspira-
tion', thafs air.
People seem to hold the common belief that the
great man is a peculiar personality, tmsolvable
excepting on the ground of a divine "inspiration"
having suffused lus every cell and fibre and nerve
— ^and made him what he is.
Therefore my problem resolved into this ques-
tion: "What is 'inspiration', so called?"
I say: Lispiration is a Mind a-flame.
Inspiration is a Heart a-glow.
Inspiration is a Body a-tingle.
Inspiration, as explaining the great man's
secret, is nothing else than a flare of the sub-con-
scious mind-energy leaping up into the field of
the conscious mind — and rapidly ripening fruits
or products which astonish the average person.
I have seen men at their work — dull, listless,
mind-vacant. "Nobody at home" as the expres-
sion is. And again, here and there I have seen
another kind of man, through whom was pulsat-
ing a vibrant life-energy — a Mind-energy — aCrea-
tivt energy. He is eager, ambitious, and alive in
6 The Creed of
every cell — reaching forward; his very soul
seems to be peering out of his eye-windows —
beaming in every action and effort to express his
true Self. It is to men of this type that "inspira-
tion" comes as a spark which sets fire to the gift
of greatness.
What, then, is the secret of this inspirational
spark?
To solve this question called for deep thought,
careful test and close observation. I confess
that even now I have found no universal, good-
for-all formula. I fear that none ever will be
found. The training, the goals, the heritage
and the lives of men are so widely different, that
each must find his own special route.
♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
I will here set forth how I came to conduct
the psychological experiment which forms the
chief part of this treatise. There was a young
man of my acquaintance who represented the
high type of man pictured a few paragraphs
back. He was ambitious, bright; he was a
zealous student of life — and frequently possessed
of a burning desire to do BIG THINGS.
One evening I invited him to my study, I
explained some of the fundamental principles
upon which the human mind acted. I propound-
ed my theories. I pointed out that any man,
barring actual mental weaklings, was capable of
rich thought, creative intellect and endowed with
powers to do what is usually termed "phenomen-
al thinking." But I also made it clear that most
The Conquering Chief. 7
of us, alas, allow this quality of genius to
slvunber, to weaken, and to die away. We go
throu^ life unaware of what we might do, of
the high goals we might reach, of the brilliant
accomplishments really open to us, of the masses
of men we might lead — ^and the success-heights
we might surmount.
All, in the last analysis, because we are too
"indolent" to make the strong-hearted attempt.
I told him that with his permission and co-
operation, I wished to bring into action, if pos-
sible, the so-called mental state "Inspiration". It
would be a quickening of his braih powers into a
creative, forceful, brilliant mind-machine.
I asked him if he knew of any sense-stimulus
that seemed to make his mind increase its action —
any external influence that caused a sort of mental
thrill and a concentration of his powers. If you
say, mentally, "/ can and I wilV — and experience
a sense of increased power while holding that
thought, then you will realize what I mean.
The young man said that on several occasions
he had listened to the rippling tones of a sweet-
tongued music box, and that at such times a new
world of possibility seemed to beckon to him;
that at such times his ambition seemed to well
up from the depths of his being and urge him
to magnificent advances.
That was enough !
The secret of the sense-stimulus which opened
the road to his "genius centre" was clear. With
his co-operation I felt assured I could carry
through an experiment in psychology that would
8 The Creed of
be of genuine interest. As a scientific explana-
tion of how it was to be produced has consider-
able bearing upon the actual results achieved, I
will give a brief anal3rsis.
While listening to the tones which stirred his
greater ambitions the young man, mentally, was
in a borderland state between consciousness and
im-consciousness — ^he was verging on a state
allied to sleep — ^but not precisely 5ie same. In
our dreams we often do great things ; sometimes
we are kings and leaders. Sometimes we are
builders of wonderful estates. This is because
the conscious mind — ^the mind which scarcely
dares think of ^eatness as a POSSESSED
FACT — ^in sleep, is stilled. The dominant do-all
and be-all subconscious mind then has full sway.
Oh that we might learn to express more of this
sub-conscious mind in our waking hours !
Now, then — ^what I sought to do was to get
hiB mind into such a condition that it was on die
delicate balancing point between the conscious
and the imconscious states : : — ^all the while keep-
ing his "upper" mind in condition to interpret
the "under" mind's mess^cs. I wanted to get
a concrete record of what was being brought up
from the mental reservoirs or mind-storage
center.
My plan was to give a public demonstration of
my theory, and accordingly the following an-
nouncement appeared in the local press :
The Conquering Chief,
EXPERIMENT IN PSYCHOLOGY
Friday Evening, October so
PSYCHIC ARTS AUDITORIUM
An ezperltnent in practical psycholo^
vriU be made, in an attempt to have a
young man demonstrate the deeper
powers of the Hmnan Mind— its Creadvo
Ability and Genius Qualities.
In the role of an Inspired Orator he
wfll deliver the lecture
THE CREED OF THE CONQUERING CHIEF
Nothing like it has ever before been
tried. Everybody interested in the ad-
vancement of Psychic Research is invited.
Immediately I began to prepare the youog
man's mind for the test. It was not to be an
illustration of h}rpnotism4 for in that state the
subject docs only what the operator directs : vol-
untary action is for the time being suspended.
My experiment was to leave full mental control
to the young man. What I sought to accomplish
was to bring the subconscious or "imder mind"
into unustially close touch with the conscious
powers of mind.
He came to my study evety evening and X
instructed him to let his mind and thought be
receptive to my directions. They were purely
"suggestion" as generally understood and were
along the following lines :
10 The Creed of
"You arc to appear before an audience on
Friday Evening. You will be calm, cool and
collected. You will be poised in manner. You
will have no hesitation nor fear. You will
be master of the situation. You are to advance
forward on the stage, easily, thoughtfully and
quietly, as the tones of your favorite — the
beautiful Evening Sjrmphony — reach you. You
are to feel the old thrill of ambition — the sense of
greatness, the desire for leadership. You are to
let your thoughts soar — ^you have often done this
in tiie quiet of your home. Now you are to give
actual utterance to what you see and hear and
feel. You are to be aware, in a general way, of
your surroundings. But more than this : you are
to let your subconscious mind hold forth unre^
strained."
"You are to deliver the inspired lecture "THE
CREED OF THE CONQUERING CHIEF".
You are to say everything at your command that
has a bearing on this subject — if you wish, quote
from other thinkers along this line. Understand
—-you are to address this audience on the subject
''The Creed of the Conquering Chief".
"You will become fired with Ambition — ^your
brain will create principles and rules which
underlie the philosophy of the Creed of Con-
quest — ^the Art of WINNING in every legiti-
mate phase of life. You are to remember that
the human mind, divine spark glowing in it,
creates from time to time, superhuman works.
You are to sink betow the level of ordinary
consciousness and draw out rich thoughts from
The Conquering Chief. 11
your intellectual storehouse. You are to believe
and wUl that this treasure is to come within your
reach."
"You are to deliver the inspired lecture **8tt|f
0m2i of tift <Simiptrrttt0 (t\^V.
And so I instructed him each evening— clearly,
forcefully, directly. I could see that it was
sinking in. There's a glow in men's eyes that
tells rare tales — if only one will observe closely.
His were telling me of what the subconscious
mind was accumulating. By Wednesday evening
I knew — or could estimate fairly well — that his
brain was quickening for the birth of the oration.
For down in this "under mind" wonderful things
take place, of which we are not often aware. It
knows, sees, hears, thinks and creates a vast
mind-life which seldom rises to where we can
record it. I was to make the form of inspiration
which loosened his sub-conscious gates let out
new values.
On Friday evening a somewhat curious though
intelligent and friendly audience filled the Audi-
torium. The young man came to me in a retiring
room at the rear of the stage shortly before the
time set for the lecture. He was controlled and
at ease — and seemed eager to go ahead with the
experiment. He assured me that he had done
much active thinking and had picked up a number
of gems from diflFerent sources. But he also
believed his sub-conscious mind was to give up
a rich amoimt of "food for thought".
12 The Creed of The Conquering Chief.
At the time announced, I stepped before the
audience and briefly outlined my plan, and what
I hoped to demonstrate. I stated that there were
ways of stimulating the human brain or Mind to a
much greater degree of Creativeness than was gen-
erally practiced. What was universally needed
was that each individual find the key for his
peculiar sub-conscious lock. This voung man;
when stimulated by a certain form or music, was
aroused, mentally, to a high degree of mental
power. It was practically the so-called ''inspira-
tion" which was said to explain the fine flights
of genius. I asked for the utmost consideration
on the part of the audience and retired.
The exquisite harmonies of the Evening Syror
phony began and the young man advanced to the
center of the stage. Gradually the tones died
away and he began this address :
THE CREED
OF THE
CONQUERING CHIEF
As delivered by the Inspired Orator
''Tk^ World JRemtmb^s only Those
who hove Conquered it,**
THE CREED OF THE CONQUERINO
CHIEF.
Behold ! I address this message to the hearts
of men.
I call you fearlessly to look upon the mner
shrine wherein you hold dear your ambition of
ambitions — that guarded life - secret which is
nothing less than your desire to BE SUPERIOR
— to be supreme in your life-sphere — ^to be dom-
inant and TO LEAD.
In short — ^it is your self calling for CON-
QUEST.
I know my own heart in this respect. I know
the fundamental traits of other men's hearts.
Unafraid, I express my self. I speak that
which is within me. I talk of natural, inexorable
laws. I set forth my own instinct. You will
come to agree with much that I say.
If I advance opinions and tenets which sur-
prise you^ — which you have never thought of be-
fore—which possibly "cut in" — then I ask you:
^Why should I be shackled by the cottony bands
which most men allow to hold them in everlc^t-
ing subjectionf Why may I not dispel these gos-
samer threads of foolish tradition and maudlin
sentiment which a mere breath of intellectual
effort will scatter to the skies f
Go with me with an Open Mind, and the spirit
of investigation; frankly admit that which you
18 The Creed of
know exists and stands as a heart-deep law of
your own hopes in this world.
♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
I am to speak to you of the Creed of the Con-
quering Chief.
♦1. From Philosophy, Nature and Science I
shall draw lessons along this line, and deduct
certain foundation principles. You will find that
they combine into a code of Thought and Conduct
which must characterize the person who is to
actually demonstrate the idea contained in the
title of this lecture.
It is not my intentioft to set forth views that
will appeal to him "who runs and reads," but
to him who stops and thinks.
Ponder well the thoughts that follow. Ac-
cept none that are diametrically opposed to your
deepest beliefs — nor reject any merely upon
sentiment, guess-work, or unwarranted prejudice.
Test and weigh, apply and observe. If in your
best judgment you can finally give it the stamp
of approval — and by 2q)pn)val,I mean the decision
that it is based upon Natural Law — ^then use as
you choose.
There is nothing novel or new in the idea of
Conquest. From the moment man first calls his
vital powers into action in a gasp for breath at
birth, on through the years until he again gasps
for breath ere passing into the next state of being
— ^he confronts the constant necessity of conquest.
It is instinctive and incessant.
The Conquering Chief, 19
♦2. It will be well, before going further, to
have a clear understanding of the exact meaning
of this subject. This will foreguard against
needless misconception and bias. Note these
definitions :
Creed: — ^A definite summary of what is be-
lieved ; an exposition of important points,
as in Science, Religion, Conduct.
Conquering : — ^The act of subduing or over-
coming by Mental Power; to gain or ob-
tain the Victory.
Chief: — ^A Commander; principal or most em-
inent in any quality or action ; having the
most influence.
Will you imderstand, then, that the "Creed of
the Conquering Chief" is to be :
An investigation into the art of oyercoming
by Mental Power, and gaining the Oreat Vic-
tory through wplication of definite and im-
portant scientific Imes of Human Conduct— «
resulting in the Commander; the person ''em-
inent in exerting the most influence."
*3. We live in an artificial state of society.
There is not the rugged, vital, aggressive type
of man now, as of old. Members of the civilized
social order are emasculated, as it were, if com-
parison is made with the natural man. We see
foppery, vanity, and effiminacy on all sides.
There is a fawning attitude, a silly manner of
clothing, and a sinking of individuality.
There is a fading away of the steel and sinew
whi^ xmit the old-order gqwi4 type of l^s^der.
20 The Creed of
There is a rising upof organizations, combines etc ;
there is the "lodge" and "linked-together-for-
mutual-protection" fraternal clans.
Everywhere is a lack of "I" and the strengA-
sapping dependence upon the "we".
Let a man openly stand out — ^vibrant and puls-
ating with egoism — ^boldly expressing a rugged,
vital self-hood and a dominant self sufficiency —
and what happens? Just this: the gaping, un-
reliant, unaggressive, conquered mass — ^the sub-
dued Crowd — follow him with their terrier-
yelping. They cannot rise to equal dominance.
*4. The price that every Conquering Chief
must pay for prominence is the envy, the
calumny, the attack by the hordes lower down.
It calls for masterful brain and nerve and manner
to stay there — at the forefront.
Few people can summons the stamina required
for the perilous position of Leadership.
It is tfie high art of Conquest.
Can you master it?
*S. If you could silently, quietly, clearly, peer
into the hearts of the sad failures in life — ^if you
could once learn the never-revealed sombre
secret of men and women who merely serve as
the back-ground mass of humanity — ^the dark
wall whidi sets forth in added brilliance the
splendor of the successful — ^THERE, in that
closed chamber, would be read the Tale of FEAR
— cringing, hesitating, shrinking, servile COW-
a&dice:.
The Conquering Chief. 21
It is a tragedy.
For it's the story of bright hopes blasted — ^the
record of things hoped for, but never gained.
It's the life history of a good soul seeking high-
er levels of power and unfoldment, but bound
and shackled and scared by an ever present : "Oh,
I dare not"
It's the chronicle of youth's fine faith in a
golden future, filled witii health, happiness and
financial ease — ^all gradually dinuned and blotted
and finally sunk into oblivion. All because the
race struggle for supremacy requires MEN WHO
DARE.
In other words — men who are fired with the
spirit of The Conquering Chief.
*6. If you are to go on with me, you must
have the Open Mind.
Tens of thousands grind out their grist of
human grief, in a never-changing, never-widen-
ing, soul-stunting narrowness of mental visioa
The Open Mind is the precursor of Progress.
*7 To accept some of the background prin-
ciples to be here set forth, you may have to cast
aside some long cherished delusions. Under-
stand, I say you may have to— of course if you do
not hold these unscientific tenets, you cannot
cast them forth.
*8. First of all I would have you understand
what the Scientific method of investigation is. I
give it to you in the words of a sound thinker.
"Pure Science has four n:iain principles at its
22 The Creed of
foundation — analysis, synthesis, imagination and
absolute elimination of opinion and Self. It is
hard to tell which of these four is most important,
but one in particular represents the sum total of
the diflference between scientific and unscientific
method. The average man, untrained in the
scientific method of thinking when he approaches
a problem, allows himself to sway and stagger
under the influence of his opinion, prejudice, bias,
habit and ignorance. Science on die other hand,
deals with nothing but facts, has no opinions, ad-
mits no prejudice, eliminates personal habit,
analyzes to the smallest possible atom, deals in
fact only, and admits nothing as a fact unless it
stands the test of ice cold reasoning and logic."
Read that again. Get it well into your man-
ner of handling matters; Know clearly what this
Scientific metbDd of thought is. The Conquering
Chief must refuse either to assume something
that does not exist, or to be blinded by bias — ^and
thus be led to lines of action which are not based
upon EXISTING FACTS.
The foregoing master analysis of the scientific
method yields the first great principle :
Resolve to be swayed neither by feeling,
sentiment nor guesswork, but always seek to
discover the underlying LAW and act upon
that.
*9. Man has lived ten thousand years — and
more. But never has he succeeded in defeating
the action of natural law.
To be sure, be has greatly changed existing
The Conquering Chief. 23
conditions in which some natural law was acting
— ^and so arrested, or intensified the action of that
law. He has perhaps combined one law with
another and so secured a new result.
♦10. Now, the Conquering Chief must realize
that there is a natural rule of action — a definite
"cause" — ^preceding every desired Result. "Big
men search for the underlying law — and obey it.
They think, then act," says St. Elmo Lewis. One
of the very first principles in Natural Philosophy
is, that there can be no effect produced, without
there being a Cause (law) in back of it.
Therefore, always seek for the imderlying Law,
or Cause or Starting Point if you would produce
any desired Effect. If instead of merely reading
what I say here, and passing it by — ^you will begin
to USE this principle, you can achieve wonders.
It has a tremendous bearing in EVERY field of
human endeavor.
*1L You know that if you turn a railroad
switch a certain way, it will throw the oncoming
express into a siding — and wreck it. You know
that if you put your finger into the fire, it will
be burned. You know that if you jump off a
high building down to the pavement, your bones
will be broken.
These are mechanical and physical laws.
They have always existed. Man gradually
finds out what they are, and then uses as he
chooses. The possibility of wireless telegraphy
existed ten thousand years ago, as it docs now.
24 The Creed of
But man did not then know the law. He did not
know how to initiate the required Cause.
♦12. I want to have you consider then, the an-
alogy of this rather uninteresting analysis of
Cause and Effect, as it applies to the Creed of the
Conquering Chief — to your success in general.
Right at this moment you are confronted by
problems which you want to solve to the best
advantage to yourself.
You want Success. You want Ability. You
want Money. You want Influence. You want
Culture. You want a hundred an one things.
If you will begin at once to investigate, observe,
test, analyze and endeavor to find out: What is
the Law that will yield the next result I want?
You can find that Law and by putting it into
operation you will secure the Effect you desire.
I cannot go into the details of using this Law
in any particular way you wish to use it ; I can
only give you the principle. It is for you, in
your own individual way, to discover the details,
and COMBINE THEM.
*13. Knowing the Scientific method of think-
ing, and using Natural Law, are the first essen-
tials, then, of the man of superior qualities. But
balancing these, must be the ability to APPLY
this method, or as we term it — you must have
POWER, and this subject I will consider in a
moment.
The petty, narrow mind see only close at hand —
immediate connections and results. The broad,
philosophic mind sees in the far expanse and re-
The Conquering Chief. 25
mote results, relations, rewards, AS WELL AS
CLOSE AT HAND. Demand for yourself the
broad-gauge view -point which considers all
human relations and achievement and eras in the
light of world-processes.
♦14. Before the advent of steam railways,
electric transportation, flying machines and auto-
mobiles and ocean greyhounds — the average man
was supposed to be familiar with conditions ap-
proximately 15 miles from where he lived.
Today men know a thousand miles and more.
Don't stay in the 15-mile t)rpe of Mind — de-
mand the thousand mile radius — the Open Mind.
*15. I assume you are listening to this lec-
ture, because there's a spark in your breast which
urges you up the "ambition route", to a position
of chieftainship. You wouldn't bother to come
here unless you were interested in the Creed of
Ae Conquering Chief.
Boldly do I proclaim that you have the oppor-
tunity and the power to attain what you now
want. And then, with greater and more bril-
liant wants, you have the power to gain them and
so mount indefinitely.
♦16. Understand : Great Men balance Great
Deeds; Great Deeds insure Great Men.
Great men are not a race-apart — an exceptional
drop from the sea ot life— dropped loose once
in an era.
Great Men are little men INTENSIFIED—
EXPANDED.
26 The Creed of
Just as a big bubble is a little one into which
has been breath increased energy.
♦17. As Ibsen says in "Human Quintessence" :
"If we take qualities as the point of departure
(speaking of great men) we can discover, not-
withstanding tilie enormous variations of talent —
NO REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
EVERYDAY PEOPLE and GREAT MEN, but
only dissimilarity in gradations and degree.
The qualities which give such men their superi-
ority over others are, in their roots, COMMON
TO ALL HUMANITY. They are, in the main
points, the same as those which have secured
for the human being as a species, his privileged
position in planetary life. But in the individual
offshoots they bloom with rare intensity. They
express themselves here in a clearer mentality
or a mightier will or a more refined and complex
feeling."
♦18. Grasp the FACT here : you have within
your make-up, EVERY ONE of the qualities
and traits which the great man has. The degree
to which you develop and apply these forces is
to a very great extent one of your own choosing,
♦19. The Conquering Chief — the successful
leader — ^the great man — is cine who rises above
the average. But he is not separated from the
crowd by a yawning abyss.
You have the endowment. To what degree
will you raise it?
♦20. Remember, to falter, hesitate, and back
down on your plans — ^to give up — ^to weaken and
The Conquering Chief. 27
Itmly quit, is to rend asunder the conquest power
within you.
Make great plans — but forever fight forward
for their consummation Make plans at first
well within your power of accomplishment. Do
them. Surmount them.
When you have risen a degree — ^view from
aloft the incline up which you have come. It
creates confidence. It develops power. It in-
stills courage. It steels the sinews for greater
effort. Then gradually brave steeper ascents —
try the larger task. Gk) upwards. Dominate.
CONQUER — until you reach and master the big
things. Some day in your career you will assay
the Grand Ascent — ^your Life's Ambition: your
Crowning Achievement in Life. Up, up you go,
with adequate ability, clear sight, sure steps, iron
grip, unfailing energy.
For so do Ae World's Great rise.
♦21. Emerson, in his clear, precise way, tells
us:
"Life is a search for Power; and this is an
element with which ihe earth is so saturated there
is no chink or crevice in which it is not lodged —
that no honest seeking goes unrewarded/*
You should interpret his use of the word
"Power" as meaning an intangible force, influ-
ence, medium or "something" which man can
control and make use of to attain his legitimate
goals.
♦22. It is here that I want to introduce an-
other clement of our Creed as follows :
28 The Creed of
All the Power you can ever use now ezuts
and awaits your intelligent mastery.
♦23. You will get inspiration from this gem
by William Ellery Qianning:
POWER.
"The Passion for Power is one of the most
universal. The child never exults and rejoices
more, than when it becomes conscious of power
by overcoming difficulties, or compassing new
ends. Power is the chief element of all the com-
manding qualities of our nature. It enters into
all of the higher virtues ; it enters into intellect-
ual eminence. It is power of thought and utter-
ance which immortalizes the products of genius.
"There are various kinds of power which it is
our duty to covet, accumulate and hold fast.
First, there is an inward power, the most prec-
ious of all possessions ; of power over ourselves,
power to stand trial, to bear suffering, to front
danger; power to follow our convictions, how-
ever resisted by menace or scorn ; power of calm
reliance in seasons of darkness and storm. A-
gain there is power over outward things, the
power by which the mind triumphs over matter,
presses into service the subtilest and strongest
elements, makes winds, fire and steam its minis-
ters, rears the city, opens a path through the
ocean, and makes the wilderness blossom as the
rose. These forms of power, especially the first,
are glorious distinctions of our race, nor can we
prize them too highly/'
The Conquering Chief. 29
*24. All day long — from early morning till
late at night — through the hurly-burly of the
morning hours, and the push and pull of the ad-
vancing day — even impressed upon your mind as
you go to sleep and often aroused into activity
during your dreams — you are searching for
Power.
You want Power to Succeed ; you want power
to do and to dare ; you want power to deal with
others; you strive for power to rise above the
commonplaces of life — to be a leader. For in-
stinctive in every man is a great natural desire
for supremacy — ^the working out of an all-inclu-
sive principle "survival of the fittest*'
"In order to be able to think and draw con-
clusions, it is necessary to acknowledge thai
which exists"
This is the difficult thing for the mass of men
and women. It is so easy, so entrancing, so
beautiful to let the mind roam off into the Ely-
sian field of dreams, of idealism; to shut our
eyes to that which actually exists — ^the conditions
in which we are really placed. A man may shut
hinwelf in a closet and vow there's no such thing
as sunshine. And yet it exists just the same.
And from this statement I want to draw an-
other bearing upon our Creed as follows :
Realizimf that throughout the world, amoB|r
all indiTidHals, there is a fundamental Will-
to-be-Powerful, and admitting the existence of
this deidre for domiuanoe, I shall aim te make
mj ceaduet 1»efit this large calibre.
30 The Creed of
♦25. Men are not equal — ^never have been—
and so far as we can now determine — NEVER
WILL BE. So long as ambition enters into the
measure of a man, and free will exists, — ^there
will be leaders — and followers. There will be
the great, and the small. Socialisms, Utopias,
and any other plan of making men equal — ^will
never stand the test of time. If to-day you
should place the same opportunity before two
men who are equals, what will be the result?
I will let Prof. Tyndall tell you :
''Suppose two men to he equals at night, and
that one rises at six while the other sleeps until
nine the next morning — what becomes of your
levelling? Nature secures advance, not by the
reduction of all to a common level, but by the
encouragement and conservation of what is best.''
By a strange coincidence, within a few hours
after finding the above, I picked up a current
magazine which had just reached my desk. In
it I read:
J. P. Morgan, King.
"J« P* Morgan was a king. There are two
kinds of rulers of men. One kind is chosen by
heredity or the ballot; the other kind bv the
same process of natural selection that holds in
nature — ^the process by which the oak becomes
tallest, a bull strongest, a bird swiftest.
"Democracy is only an affair of equal oppor-
tunities; it can never be a levelling of abilities.
To the end of the human drama we shall instinc-
tivelv continue to put forth our kings.
''A king is a man with that secret; mysterious
The Conquering Chief. 31
sometfiing in him that makes him a master and
causes o Aers to be glad to serve. ♦ * * ♦
The real rule of men will always be a theocracy,
composed of men raised up by the nature of
tilings to command/'
*26. Out of this thought we may weave an«:
other section for our Creed :
Success and conquest comes only from each
man's individual efforts wisely, swiftly^ inces-
santly exerted. Permanent power cannot be
acquired by any artificial plan of levelling men.
Only as you hue closely to Nature's pkn of
encouragmg that which is best, can you reach
supremacy*
♦27. Gerald Stanley Lee wrote a great book.
It is called "CROWDS— a Book for the Indir
viduoV\
I wish I might stop and write a book: "INDI^
VIDUALS—A Book for the Crowd".
♦28. Lee, in his book, weaves a mind-gripping
stoiy of crowds — people in masses. He talks of
their ambitions, their machines, their goals,
their methods. He deals with where they are
going; how they are going; what they are after;
how they are trying to get it ; and how they are
trying to express themselves.
But always as the "crowd", the mass, under-
stand.
It is a sort of socialistic interweaving of men
in bulk — Hit ebb and flow of the multitude as
they surge along through life.
32 The Creed of
♦29. A crowd represents a levelling of men —
a pulling down of the dominant — 2l lowering of
leaders. Not that the masterful man has com-
mitted any crime against the laws of created be-
ings — but simply because he is above the mass,
do they seek to pull him down. "If we can-
not get up where you are, mayhap we can pull
you down to where we are" is the attitude of the
crowd.
In other words, the social leveller's ideal is the
annihilation of the every- where active and always-
has-been-active law of LEADERSHIP — survival
of the superior.
♦30. Is the grand forest giant that towers
above the others by twenty or thirty feet, an un-
healthy principle in nature ? Is it a blot upon the
surrounding forest? Is it an illustration of an
unfair law?
♦31. Is the shining, quivering, energy-charged
turf -king, that out-distances all other blue-bloods,
unhealthy and against natural law? Does he
represent Nature turned against herself? This
fine pacer with the swifter step, the better com-
bination and opposition of muscle, and the evener
use of energy — the superior balance of bone
against bit — ^is it an illustration of any principle
unfair to other horses ?
♦32. And yet the "crowd" would pull down
the Leader. *'He is great; we are not great.
We want him down with us." THAT IS THE
PRINCIPLE RAMPANT TODAY.
The Conquering Chief. 33
'*'33. Against it must act the Law of the Gm-
quering Chief.
♦34. And so, instead of the development of
Crowd, in bulk — rather would I raise up here and
there, that individual who is endowed for supre-
macy — for leadership — for command. To be
sure there are "natural" leaders who raise them-
selves. But> there are also other finely endowed
souls who if the plan is opened to them, MAKE
QUICK STRIDES TO THE GOAL.
♦35. Oh ! I would write a book for the INDI-
VIDUAL — ^and scatter it broadcast through the
CroWd. Let them ponder over it. Let them
draw conclusions. Let the lessons work upon
an individual here and another there in that
motley gathering. There are a few sparks slum-
bering in breasts which await the touch of hidden
ambition to fire them with an energy which would
brook no resistance.
*♦♦♦♦♦♦«
♦36. ^The fundamental failure of humanity
so far is self-assertion" says a clear thinker.
"Everything in a social machine, if it is a machine
that really works, is based upon the profound
and special study of the individual."
The Creed of the Conquering Chief is one
phase of such a study.
*37. I believe in the intense culture of the
individual.
The mammoth chrysanthemum is the result
of cutting away from the plant all other buds
34 The Creed of
and shoots, and flooding that whole plant's life«
force into the one magnificent bloom.
♦38. I believe in this as applied to the individ-
ttaL I believe in eliminating surrotmding clods
and clods and worthless material. If you wish
to interpret me as saying the "side-tracking of
the crowd that demonstrates that it will NOT
grow" — all right
I believe in the man who forget ahead of the
mAss.
I believe in the forest king among men.
I seek the high altitudes.
I claim the open road for the great soul that
can conquer.
I do not believe In organization — as effected
today.
I do not believe in allying one's powers with
others — ^as individuals.
I do not believe in a labor tmionism that would
shackle individual power and effectiveness —
that would kill off the opportunity for leadership.
I abhor any clique of miscellaneous men who
want life on a tmif orm level.
♦39. My ideal is a picture of energy-charged
youth, readiing for the stars : heart afcune, mind
aglow, body aquiver.
Give me the open road, minus a yoke, that I
may run to the limit of my endowments and
my own inner willingness to conquer. Allow me
to pay my own price for the jewel of power—
and buy just as brilliant a gem as I am willing
to exchange personal effort for.
The Conquering Chief. 35
♦40. I want ahcadness-of-thc-crow<L
♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
♦41. The torches of past civilizations and
races of men still stand high enough to cast a
light forward to this day. These pillars that
still rise high enough to tell of long dead ages are
simply THE GREAT MEN OF THOSE ERAS.
If tiie crowd had its way — its life record would
be levelled so low, with its Conquering Chiefs
pulled down, that the turning rim of the world
would have long since blotted its history from our
view.
♦42. Begin to raise your own light aloft—
high-force from your paA the scum that clutters
your feet as you progress — ^those who cannot and
will not face upward.
It is the liiw of life — ^the principles upon
which the forest king rises aloft.
Get out of the Crowd. Do this by making
your mind on a pattern that deliberately rises
aloof from that crowd.
♦43. This is the law of the Conquering Chief.
♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
♦44. Inasmuch as you are here listening to
this lecture of your own free will and choice, I
shall take the time to consider even at greater
length, this crowd-principle.
The idea of Conquest in the personal realm —
the Law of Leadership — ^also links with it the
existence of the ''mass'^ or multitude. Its oppo-
36 The Creed of
site is the hum-drum thousands : drifting, shifting,
swayed and dominated followers.
♦45. It infers that there is a man here and
another there who rises to supremacy. Hence,
in order to a fuller understanding for attaining
your position of command, you must know some
of the characteristics which typify the crowd-
man. This is in order that you may escape the
negative influence in your own life, as well as
positively apply them as required.
♦46. The great analyst of the Crowd-man,
Gustave Le Bon, says : "Man, as a part of a mul-
titude, is a very different being from the same
man as an isolated individual. His conscious
individuality vanishes in the unconscious person-
ality of the crowd. Among other characteristics
of crowds, we must note their infinite credulity,
and exaggerated sensibility, their short-sighted-
ness and their incapacity to respond to the influ-
ence of reason".
This is just a way of stating that you must
stand alone if you are to conquer. Men in
groups, lose individuality. They see from an
exaggerated, narrow, unbalanced viewpoint.
They can not or do not use deliberatt reason
before acting.
♦47. Let a leader, charged with magnetism
(the art of influence) stand before such a crowd,
and throw out stirring sentiments, and over
the gathering he spreads a psychological man-
tle which carries them off their feet; it freezes
self-control, deadens judgment, benumbs reason.
The Conquering Chief. 37
And this assertion applies whenever the actions
urged be for good or for ill.
♦48. All progress of the individual is a mat-
ter of inner unfoldment
life moves from within, outward. The germ
or vitality is always at the center, not on the
surface. The growth of the tree or the plant,
of the animal or the fruit, is not that of adding
on the outside, but a supply from the inside.
♦49. The individual determines his own posi-
tion in life, according to the amount of intelligent
effort exerted. It is for this reason, that men
NEVER WILL BE EQUAL, because there are
those — the majority — ^who will not work to ac-
quire this Inner Power.
You, then, must rank among the Great, or the
mediocre.
♦SO. As Victor Hugo remarks: "Mediocrity
is in favor of him who annoys her the least and
resembles her the most. Out of all the stones
that pickaxe and calumny and diatribe and insult
can tear away from the base of the great man,
a pedestal is erected for the second rate man."
The Conquering Chief must be one grand fight
against mediocrity — that type of commonplace,
self-satisfied, lazy attitude which expects to be
taken in hand by "fortune" and raised aloft.
*51. The master tool with which great men
work in this world is Intellect.
With that wonderful gift is carved and cun-
38 The Creed of
ninglv wrought and ingeniously ocmstructed all
that nas marked man's steps across the pages of
history. It has reared temples, created beautiful
art, produced marvels mechanic.
♦52. Also, on the reverse, it has stampeded
races into annihilating conflict.
This great tool the workman KAKE8 FOK
HIMSELF.
♦53. There is the collossal fact which makes
of your life an opportunity and of success a rare
reward.
Man can make himself into whatever he
chooses. The rough metal for this tool is man's
at birth — ^he makes and molds and uses it as he
chooses.
♦54. The great man is the man who makes
himself out of an3rthing he finds at hand. As
Lee puts it: '7/ success cannot do it, he makes
failure do it. If he cannot make success express
the greatness of the vision that is in him, he
makes failure express if\
But always does there go into his plan of
action the stream of conquest--4ie lives and
moves in a sea which floods his consciousness
always with the belief: "I am the power of ac-
complishment".
'1 will win.'*
"I demand conquest of myself."
♦55. If you ask me :"Who are the great men^
and 7vhen and how do they emerae from the
massr* — I will ask you to listen to Nietzsche :
The Conquering Chief. 3ff
"The i^reat man — a man whom Nature has built
up and mvented in a grand style — ^What is such
a man? First, in his general course of action,
his consistency is so broad that owing to its
very breadth it can be surveyed only with difficid-
ty, and consequently misleads; he possesses the
capacity of EXTENDING HIS WILL OVER
GREAT STRETCHES OF LIFE, and of des-
pising and rejecting all small things, whatever
most beautiful and "divine" things of the world
there may be among them. Secondly, he is cold^
er, harder, less cautious and more free from the
fear of 'public opinion," If he is unable to
lead, he walks alone ; in his dealings with men his
one aim is to make something out of them. His
greatness consists in this: to will something
great, together with the means thereto."
"The great man is conscious of his power
over a people, and the fact that he coincides
temporarily with a people or with a century.
♦ ♦ ♦ The object is to attain that enormous
energy of greatness which can model the man of
the future by means of discipline."
♦56. The aim of the Conquering Chief must
be the acquirement of that huge ability or energy,
capable of putting forth such a preponderance
of power from within, that he will not be sway^
or influenced by the powers external.
There are still certain tremendous forces of
Nature, such as the cyclone, the lightning's
stroke, the earthquake, which man acknowledges
master. But there are lesser forces over which
he has made himself Chief.
40 The Creed of
*S7. In this connection weighty warning Is
given by the great thinker Haddock who says :
"Personal life is a play between the powers
without, and the powers within the central func-
tion of Will. ^
Personal Life ends in subjection to such ex-
ternal powers or rises to mastery over them,"
And before analyzing this principle, I want to
set down another essential to our Creed :
The pathway to Power calls for everlasting*
vigilance, to the end that your own natural
weak tendencies may be overcome by never
yielding to their solicitations.
♦58. The history of the human race as we
know it, is one long, unbroken record of man's
struggle to rise to mastery over external powers.
Man has come up from the brute. From the
study of the earth's various stages of formation.
Science tells us that life on the planet runs back
more than six thousand millions of years.
♦59. When man first confronted his environ-
ment — Nature — ^back there in the midnight of
human history, when the first faint trace of
Mind (that which forever impassably separates
us from the realm of brute creation) — ^when the
first faint streaks of gray were beginning to
modify the hitherto black night of living things —
back there men still fought like beasts and with
beasts.
This was his initial striving to acquire domi-
nation and conquest over external powers.
The Conquering Chief. 41
♦60. The first ally was the club, the hurled
rock, and similar means of offense and defense.
♦61. As the gray-black of human history's be-
ginnings was assuming the delicate rose-tint of
Sie dawn, man was acquiring still more sway
over external powers. He constructed a place of
habitation and made weapons — since self-protec-
tion is the first law of created life.
So the tale of triumph runs. Personal life has
come up through the ages, ever acquiring more
control, and extending the individual's reach to a
widening sphere of mastery. First it was over
other creatures ; then it was the Elements ; then
it was travel and navigation — the crossing of a
continent — ^the sending of messages with or with-
out mechanical connections; the conquest of the
air, etc.
♦62. And there is still another goal to be
reached — the sending of Thought from Mind to
Mind, without any intervening physical agent.
♦63. The day when men fought like beasts
has gone. We live in the great Age of Mind —
an era when Mental Forces reign supreme. The
great successes to-day — the Conquering Qiiefs
— are the men of great mind-power.
From this we may draw a brief rule for our
Creed as follows :
Mind-power is to-day the sole measure of
mastery. Resolve that your own Brain shall
be made to work for you with all its might.
♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
42 The Creed of
*64. The other day I read thfc : ';A11 light is
at aome point condensed into flame ; in the same
way every epoch is condensed into man. The
man having expired, the epoch is dosed — God
turns the page. These different periods, \duch
we name epochs, have all their dominant points.
What is that dominant point? Is it the head that
wears a crown, or is it the head that bears a
thought? Is it an aristocracy, or is it an ideaf
*65. Answer this for yourself.
Do you see in which direction the power lies ? ? ?
♦66. It's with the man WHO HAS AN
IDEA— and a Brain to nurture it— AND THE
SPIRIT OF CONQUEST TO PUT IT OVER.
*67. Life's pathway never runs on a level —
it is an incline on which you are either climbing
up or slipping down. What is the secret of the
art of always GOING UP, rather than down?
In "Thus Spake Zarathustra" I find this :
"And this secret spake Life herself unto me,
'Behold I am that which mtist ever surpass it-
self/ "
From which flashes out a broad declaration of
conquest :
Always will I strive to be greater than I am.
I must SURPASS MYSELF. In each success-
ive act, test, encounter, thought, I will BE
GREATER than in the one previous. I am
what I am now; but in an hour I must be MORE
than I am now. In everything must I exert
MORE POWER TO SURPASS MYSELF.
The Conquering Chief. 43
♦68. Stirpassing of self is the first aim; sur-
passing of others is tfic second. This is the sub-
stance of Emerson's ** Every man believes he has a
greater possibility/' You draw a circle to the
utmost of your ability to-d3ay, but on the morrow,
lo — you must still draw one outside of that. You
nmst surpass yourself.
This is involved philosophy, bordering, perhaps,
upon mysticism. But— STOP AND THINK!
♦69. "IV^tever cannot obey itself is com-
mandecT' says the great writer on "surpassing
self". The failures in life are the men who could
not or would not obey themselves ; they became
commanded by others. They could not hold to
tiie course ; they lost their grip. They did not do
as they promised their own hearts they would do.
♦70. They failed to surpass themselves.
For such is the nature of things — ^he who can-
not obey himself, in an ever widening way — is
commanded by others.
♦71. The Conquering Chief MUST OBEY
HIMSELF — ^if he is to conmiand others.
Consider with me, for a moment:
THB MXNUTE BUILDEBS.
♦72. It is here that I would have you work
into your plan of action this declaration :
From now on I vow I wiU try to act the part
of a man TEN TIMES BIGOEE THAN I NOW
am; for by so doing, I construct greater powers
44 The Creed of
in my own brain which wUl actually bnild me
into such a leader. I refuse to longer be confin-
ed by the shadowy walls which heretofore have
cramped me into a narrow sphere. From this
day forth the word ''limit" is banished from
my mind*
♦73. You and I are architects of the minutes.
We build ourselves every moment
What you are this minute is the result of what
you were building during the thousands of min-
utes that already have passed.
What you will be in a minute from now de-
pends upon what you are now, plus what you are
mentally demanding that this present moment
shall add. Every turn around of the second
hand, arc you building yourself anew — ^are you
changing, altering, revising, remaking, IN-
CREASING?
♦74. Just as surely as the pilot of a vessel
deliberately moves his wheel one way, and swings
the huge greyhound to the east — or moves it the
other way and swings it toward the setting sim,
and so pursues his course as he elects, and final-
ly reaching his port if his steering has been cor-
rect — ^just so can you deliberately direct your
own course toward any goal.
♦75. I repeat: You are the product of min-
utes. Each minute is an opportunity to build —
for growth, advance, gain, supremacy, CON-
QUEST.
The Conquering Chief, 45
It all rests with you.
Keep your eyes on the minutes.
The minute makes the man.
The Creed of the Conquest calls for the ever-
lastingly aggressive, watchful mind, which rea-
sons, plans and forges ahead as the moments pass.
♦76. Stop a minute, in the quiet, and see the
logic of this. In your own inner sanctum YOU
know what you are building — or not building.
YOU know what you are doing with the minutes.
YOU know whether you are increasing your
power. YOU know if you are gradually shrink-
ing smaller and smaller in the life scale. YOU
know what effectiveness or lack of it is evident
in your building plans.
There's no limit to your building possibilities,
if you will persist. One of the surest principles
in the material world is this : Nature achieves the
grandest results by the simplest means — the con-
stant adding together of atoms.
*77, A gigantic planet is but molecules
assembled.
Your life and your stature is the addition of
minutes. ^
From this draw a law of Conquest
In the eternal flow of moments, each one con-
tains a grain of power and success which I
OAN grasp. I resolve that never will I be
f onnd unndndful of this principle of conquest.
I will gather power from every living minute.
Alertness and ACTION are the qualities which
secure this value.
46 The Creed of
*78. Be a BuUder of Minutes.
♦79. The story of man's conquest on this
earth as we read it in the records of the past,
has an ever recurring similarity. It repeats it-
self. Hordes of men have trod earth's crust —
and passed on. Civilizations have risen to great
heights and now sleep in silence.
Even we at this late day can gaze back upon
the life and action of one of these great cycles
— as we watch on history's screen the Rise and
Fall of the once-great Roman empire. Back of
that numberless otiier nations have risen and
fallen.
We think we have invented wonderful things
— ^have learned rare Arts — ^have produced phe-
nomenal results. We have. And yet the musty,
mystic symbols and traces of ancient races tell
us of slumbering peoples that have known them
"as of old".
♦80. The sun rises and sets today. It has
done this for ages. And because of this fact we
say IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO- We
say it is an established law.
♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Very well, then — ^now note one of the central
laws we are soon able to deduct in the Creed of
the Conquering Chief.
♦81. Men have come and gone — ^and their
lives yield certain laws which we must admit as
established, and ready to produce the same re-
sults whenever the same or comparative condi-
tions are present.
The Conquering Chief. A7
I shall now give you a sombre, stop-and-think,
statement. From one who (pursuing the scien-
tific method of investigation) has cast personal
bias, sentiment, and theory to the winds. He
speaks solely from a master insight into the plan
of action of Conquerors. If I could explain
away or reject his assertion, gladly would I do so.
But clearest, coldest reasoning seems to establish
it as a FACT. And as a part of our creed be-
speaks for the acceptance of "established fact"
I give to you as follows:
"Every one who would be FREE must show
his power. Unalterable remains the basis of all
earthly greatness. He who exalteth himself shall
be exalted. Bravery includes every virtue ; hu-
mility every crime."
And in this Age of Mind you must understand
Bravery to mean MENTAL courage. From this
rises another Creed axiom : —
Always positively assert your own mental
authority. Be not a worm of the dust nor a
follower and yielder to others. With vigor-
ous, clear, swift mentality openly assault tiie
situations confronting you. Remember that
the main difference between the submerged
millions and the risen leaders is largely one of
Brave Self-assertion.
And again the shout of the grim philosopher
cuts our hearing with this :
''Therefore, if you would conquer Wealth and
Honor, Power and Fame, you must be practical
and cool. Only the powerful can be free, and
Power is non-moral,"
48 The Creed of
♦82. The strong man masses his combined
energies — mental and physical, in an assault upon
difficulties. He is calm, cool, concentrated,
scientific, swift and sure — ^a living illustration of
his best powers in action.
♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
♦83. At this point I wish to make defense of
certain of my principles.
I realize that they are not exactly in line with
so-called "brotherly love", "golden-rule-ism," etc.
♦84. I say this: theological postulatlngs ;
theories, assumptions and "taken-for-granteds",
based upon sentiment, upon "heart-work", are
one thing. Scientific data based upon existing
facts is another. Once in a while a man is will-
ing to talk along the lines of cold-blooded, un-
colored reasoning : set solid upon established fact
* — worked out with deliberate analysis.
♦85. Philosophy, as a phase of religious ex-
position, has dealt largely (speaking by illustra-
tion) with the golden hues of the fruit ; with the
emotions awakened by the soulful music. But
Science has come along and cut the apple open
and dealt with the real heart of the matter — ^it
has considered the seeds that are to grow other
apples. Likewise, instead of considering only
the rich harmonies of the music — it has found
out how many vibrations per second in the ether
will cause these tones.
♦86. Philosophy deals with "heart-stuff".
Science deals with cold fact.
The Conquering Chief, 49
♦87. And so I say: The idea of individual
supremacy and conquest — this thought of per-
sonal triiunph, and the principle of rising above
others — is just the illustration of a huge law of
nature — the survival of the fittest.
This is evident in all branches of the animal
world.
♦88. "But", say the heart-influenced teachers
of philosophy and ethics : "The reason that con-
quest and survival of the fittest should not be
followed as a principle, when we reach the heights
of the human mind, is because that grand pos-
session "soul", separates mankind from the lower
orders and warns him to overlook the action of
such a law."
All right then! They say because man has
"soul", he comes in another class from all other
living animals.
*89. ^ Well, what is this so-called "soul", then,
which is claimed as the dividing line between
natural animals which do live out the law of con-
quest, and the animal man — ^which is supposed
not to exemplify it?
The "teachers" will reply : "if is the imperish-
able part of the human person — it is the man
^'himself* — his spark from the Divine Fire — his
drop from the ocean of Infinite Life" — ^and that
sort of thing.
Allright, again ; admit this to be true.
♦90. Then follow this thought: Science,
working upon its hard and fast, sentiment-minus
basis — ^swayed neither by emotion nor personal
50 The Creed of
opinion, says and proves the following :/A^ first
forms of organized life on this planet run back
to a form of shell fish.
♦91. Gradually, as the centuries flung their
round years into the background of eternity,
this starting point of life began to evolve a more
complex form. It passes from the shell-form,
to that of the vertebrae (having a backbone — ^the
first foundation for Conquest-power, as it were).
Then, ^ the centuries come and go, it develops
the four footed animals and reaches the lower
forms of man-shaped animals.
Suddenly (not in the sense of a quick change
so far as time-period is concerned, but as contrast-
ed with the old order of animals) a leap forward
is made — ^and there stands on the earth, pre-
historic man.
♦92. This IS millions of years backward from
our day. Again a jump forward, immeasurable
compared with the old forms — and there begins
that wonderful era on this earth — ^the so-called
Third Great Year. It is here there enters re-
corded history the first Dynasty of the Human
Race — our first definite traces of man as a man.
♦93. Now see this: from the shell life of
millions of years ago, through all these tedious
stages of progression and evolution — on up
through to the man-giant of today: WHERE
IS THE DIVIDING LINE? At what point
does " soul" come into evidence ? At what period
does the animal soul transform into "man soul" ?
The Conquering Chief. 51
♦94. This idea of "soul'* is something that
is said-to-be; something assumed and allowed.
But it is not now, nor has it ever been, broken
open and analyzed and its make-up shown in con-
crete terms. Science cannot help us here, for the
soul cannot be found to be analyzed in a matter-
of-fact way.
♦95. Well, what I am getting at by means of
this digression is this: since we do not show
where the dividing line stands between animal
and man in this "soul" region — and as objection
to using the Law of Conquest and the survival
of the fittest has been based upon the assumption
of man being above such a law, because he has
a soul — ^then I insist upon classifying man as
an animal on this earth's crust, and that so far
as his relation to others of his kind, he is in the
struggle for existence and he will fight for supre-
macy and conquest — regardless of "soul science".
♦96. Understand this fact : philosophy, ethics,
religions, clans, juggle with many great ideas
which are based upon assumptions. To illus-
trate : a few of us conceive the idea that we wish
to move a mass of men to act in a certain way
(naturally, for our own profit) . So we get together
— ^the few of us — ^and we say: "Assuming this
and that to be true (whether or not incontrovert-
ible Science will prove it to be so) — ^why then,
mercy upon us ! — <ill these other codes, which we
have worked out, BASED UPON THE ORIG-
INAL ASSUMED PRINCIPLES, must be
plaiQ as da/\
52 Thi Creed of
«<i
'Now, we'll just arrange our 'net results*,
drawn in from the original assumed belief, into a
code. Of course the mass must accept it, for it is
logical when tested against our 'first principles'
which we started with."
♦97. These "first principles" might, or might
not be true. As I said, they were "assumed" at
the start without proof. Hence it is impossible
to call them scientific (that is, demonstrable in a
true-to-fact way).
♦98. Now, after a time — ^after the original
creators of this assumed code have passed sdong
— and generations have accepted these rules of
conduct — ^have taken them and lived according
to them, merely upon the say-so of their fore-
fathers — ^then it becomes a well nigh universal
belief that such a code is exact. And the be-
lievers call it the height of absurdity, hypocrisy,
presumption and audacity to in any way question
the rules of the code,
♦99. I go into this at such length in order to
suggest to you that we are today sWayed and led
by religious beliefs, political tenets, and social
conventions which MIGHT be the outworking
of ASSUMPTIONS of centuries ago. It
MIGHT be, under scientific analysis — and with
guess-work eliminated — that one great religious
sect represents the HUGEST SWINDLE EVER
GROUND INTO THE BRAINS OF ANY
UVING OUASS OF LIFE EVER LOCATED
The Conquering Chief. S3
UPON THIS (AND POSSIBLY, ANY
OTHiER) PLANET.
♦100. Therefore I say: do not be afraid to
question any established code of conduct. It
may be right. It may be wrong. And I bring
this axiom forward to you :
Leadership in so far as possible, progresses
on KNOWN and SCIENTIFICALLY ESTAB-
TJSHFiD principles.
*'Take nothing for granted" is a rule of pecul-
iar significance.
♦101. Perhaps you say: "It is instinctive to
cling to these faiih^\ You may say : ''Involun-
tarily and unsought they well up from some-
wheres in man's being".
Let's analyze this "instinct" which you say re-
pels you from the use of the Creed of Conquest.
♦102. Man of today has plenty of "instincts"
which have been stamped into his make-up during
the progress of the race. We have instincts
which did not appear until ages after the first
appearance of the race upon the earth's surface.
♦103. It is possible for one man, or a body
of men, to instill new "instincts" into a yielding
and thoughtless and dassent-think-for-themselves
following. Inner moving motives can be germin-
ated, and nurtured and brought forth in men's
minds without their knowing it.
Under the sway of mental domination (the
secret by which vast numbers of men have been
xed and moved to action) — a strong mind beafing
54 The Creed of
over, influentially, upon a weaker one — ^an exerting
of authority upon weakness and ignorance — I
say upon this basis, a crafty class of preposterous
prophets have led hundreds of thousands into
the acceptance of certain beliefs which belong
in the dankest mire of discarded mental refuse.
♦104. Those so led believe they are following
natural instincts.
Let a man with a live mind and the spirit of
conquest consider these absurd faiths and he will
reject them with the utmost scorn.
Yet these rules have for so long been ground
into the sinew and fibre of the people that they
call them "instincts". They are man originated,
man impelled, and man maintained.
♦105. And believe me — no man ever created
an instinct.
The individual blindly adhering to these witch-
eries of the soul is helpless before a keen intellect
that questions them, and tears them apart and
exposes the sham upon which they are built.
*106. So I beseech you: do not softly sit
down and quietly accept as "holiest truth", all
that masquerades under the garb of "Instincts"
divine laws and similar sham.
Understand me clearly — I did not say not to
accept anything that is so classed ; I said not to
accept ALL, that is so termed.
♦107. And from this emerges one of our main
codes which is arranged as follows :
The Conquering Chief, 55
1. The Great Intelligence of the Universe, re-
vealing through Nature, never advances on
theories, sentiments, feeling, guesswork, or
on any basis excepting that of Unalterable
Law.
2. All unsound reasoning, wishing, hoping of
man is swept aside and counted as naught
before the unchangeable LAW and FACT
of Nature.
3. Nature asserts — ^and infallibly demonstrates
— that the man who leads and succeeds and
takes the richest prizes, must be calm, cool,
confident and COURAGEOUS.
4. The "survival of the fittest" is the deepest,
soundest, most clearly evident LAW of Na-
ture relating to the coming and going of
life on this planet.
5. Nature, with an object in view — ^a result to
be accomplished — never hesitates, dawdles
or delays. Neither does she ask permission
to perform, but strikes out boldly and in-
trepidly, STRAIGHT FOR THE FINAL
GOAL.
♦108. With the foregoing in mind, I have ob-
served that men can be divided into three main
classes :
1. The men of Will-power (the leaders).
2. The men of Desire (those whose intentions
are good but who fail to put forth the nec-
essary Dominance and Action to win out.
They are the men who "wish" instead of
DEMAND).
56 The Creed of
3. The men of Fate (those who give up all the
glory of human achievement because they
say "it's all no use — things will never come
my way" This remark is correct: they
certainly will never "come" but they can be
APPROPRIATED— and that is what the
Men of Will-power do).
♦109, The Conquering Chief naturally belongs
to the first class — ^the dynamic personality as-
serting it own ; claiming its own ; and invariably
striving to make ACTION of the particular
character required to win its own.
♦110. Look to the biography of the world's
great men, living or dead, and in nearly every
instance one masterful trait stands out more
prominent than all others. It is the real secret
of their supremacy. And this I term indomi-
table, unconquerable WILL — self-declared re-
fusal to yield an inch to the external forces
which seek to thwart progress.
Napoleon was a superlative example of it; Bis-
mark had it ; Grant illustrated it splendidly ; Mor-
gan mastered it; Roosevelt in action is a whirl-
wind example of it ; Edison owes his famous con-
centration and persistence to it. Yes — the cap-
tains of Industry, Finance, Invention, Art,
Science — all build their immortal achievements
upon invincible Power of Will.
*11L " 7 will' is the Sovereign state of Mind
— ^the most intense attitude of Self towards all ex-
ternal forces. Your Self witli Will in action
The Conquering Chief. 57
has for servants the Body, Intellect and the Feel-
ings. And with these servants fully disciplined,
the sovereign Self goes forth to conquer a World,
a Universe/*
And for this reason^ I would play up strong,
in bold-faced type :
Knowing that only as I enter the ra nks o f
the First Grade of men— THOSE OF WILL
POWER — can I expect to be a Conquering
Chief y I do pledge myself to the large devel-
opment of thiis Prime Quality. I will neither
passively wish for things, nor drop back to
the third grade of those who abdicate their
realms imder the delusion that Life is a matter
of pre-arranged destiny.
It is around this central power of WILL that
the whole contest of conquest revolves.
♦112. Every great Nation — ^living or dead —
has come up through the line of conquest. Every
great nation and race to-day maintains its inde-
pendence because of the inherent ability to con-
quer — ^to maintain its freedom. When nations
attack, the strong, the skillful, the scientific be-
come victors.
Now, this same law or principle acts among
the individuals who collectively make up such a
nation. The analogy holds good; it extends
from the nation to the individual. Skill, strength,
science (ALL AS PHASES OF MENTAL
POWER) — maintain sway to-day.
58 The Creed of
♦113. ^'The meek shall inherit the earth'* is a
beautiful thought which has many followers.
Without wishing to interfere with anybody's
religious beliefs, I will say that this principle is
contradicted by every phase of life and inanimate
nature (if there be such) — all the way from
molecules to planets.
*1 14. Molecules attain supremacy in their tiny
spheres through sheer inherent energy tumea
into a superior force — they crowd the weaker out.
In all lines of natural activity, even to the ponder-
ous planet broken from the titanic strands that
held it to its orbit, falling to its new point of
equilibritun — ^it knocks aside all lesser planet-
forces.
♦115. Again I state: every phase of life and
phenomena discredits the statement at *113.
The meek may "inherit" — ^but the Conquering
Qiief's come along and appropriate that which
was inherited.
♦116. I suggest to you that there are two
component elements of Conquest. Namely:
Strategy and Weight. In the human individual
this translates into Plan of Thought plus Energy
in Action, The two multiply into each other,
though always does one degree of Strategy ac-
complish as much as two degrees of Energy.
Strategy is the superior quality.
♦117. And I have given you the foregoing be-
cause it is very important in the development of
the Conquering Chief that you understand this
analogy.
The Conquering Chief. 59
There Is a delightful passage In the old Norse
Sagas which I want to bring in here :
"When Svipdag came to the gates of the burg,
they were closed (for it was customary to ask
S^rmission to see, or take part in the war games).
UT Svipdag did not take this trouble. He
BROKE THE GATES DOWN and rode in.
"Queen Visa said, *TMs man will be welcome^,'*
From this you may draw this law :
Ask of no man permission to perform that
which is within you to do. Boldly strike out
upon your own initiative, and DO while the
multitude stand by in mouth-stretched awe.
The reliant, the bold— -the Conquering Chief
steps forward and plucks the prize while others
marvel at his daring.
♦118. In what has thus far been written I
have given vou underlying principles. Grim and
sombre and opposed to ordinary teachings per-
haps, but nevertheless the BED ROCK of lead-
ership up to the present moment in man's history.
And so far as we know — to be the bed rock in the
future.
♦119. Understand — I am not writing to mental
weaklings, nor to dare-not-look-facts-in-the-face
dreamers. It is a matter of interest to Thinkers
WHO CAN LOOK TRUTHS STRAIGHT IN
THE EYE. And the definition of truth is "that
which is, has been, or will be" These things
HAVE BEEN, ARE NOW, and so must be ac-
cepted as Trutibs,
60 The Creed of
It Is here that I wish to introduce something
of a lighter and more inspirational nature. For
long I have wanted to give you the following,
which I term :
THE FOURTEEN ELEMENTS OF
PBAOTIOAL POWER.*
1. ENERGY is inherent power.
Cultivated as follows : You are invited to sup-
pose yourself about to undertake some enormous
physical and mental task. Are you ready?
Summon, now, all the energy of your being. Do
not move a muscle. Attend to the sense of
energy, all over the body, or concentrated in the
mind. Now for the task! You are, equal to it!
It shall be done ! Control. Do nothing * * *
* * * * You have caught the idea of the
energy sense. Practice it until that sense is ever
at your instant command.
2. FORCE is active power.
Developed by multiplying self into every de-
partment of the business.
3. FIRMNESS is controlled applied power.
Put the idea of the strong, even hand-grasp
on a weapon or tool into the handling of people
and situations.
4. INDEPENDENCE is superiority oyer
foreign power.
*PormnUted by Frank Channinff Haddock. PnbUsh^d ^ P«i^
mission of National School of Salesmanship, MlnneaiK>lis, lllaa.
(owBWB of oopyriffht).
The Conquering Chief. fd
Developed only by deliberate, persistent growth
of such consciousness and by conduct free from
dependence.
8. SILF-BEUANOI is Mifldmee in per-
sonal power.
Grown by opeainf of valuation of one's owa
judgment
6. RIBOLUnOHT is tonrafa*powar and con*
fldenee-power mited.
It 18 unfolded by the incessant mental affirma-
tion:''/ can ami I mil, and the thing shall be
doner
7. DITEBlDII'ATIOir is powvr applied and
held.
Cultivated by domg all sorts of things clear to
the end, whether important or no, eveiy day for
months.
8. DE0I8I0R is power prompt^ applied.
Acquired by exercise and quick observation
and swift deliberation and forced choice^ foU
lowed by instant action.
9. PIB8BTBV0E is oontinninf powar.
Attained by brinjpnr to best finish every de-
tail, no matter how trivial.
10. SRDITBANOI is resistinf power.
Brought about by declining, with great energy,
to yield to contrary solicitation.
11. DA&nra is power loosed im fall.
Cultured by letting go full physical power, Iqr
62 The Creed of
throwing self resolutely into certain kinds of
action concerning which you are fearful or ner-
vous, and by contact with daring men and situa-
tions, and by brave thought concerning big ven-
tures.
12. PUSH is oyercoming power.
Secured by the habitual energetic thrusting
forward of self and business.
18. BESTRAINT is power balanced by
power.
Cultivated by attending to reasons for caution
and self control.
14. TAOT-WnX-POWEB is personal abili-
ty nicely adjusted to other wills for the sake of
pleasing and winning.
It is all the above powers FINESSED IN
ACTION.
You cannot study the foregoing analysis too
often. Especially the bold face definitions should
be memorized and frequently recalled and
throughout the day constant effort made to make
ACTION correspond.
♦120. May I introduce to you one of the little
known Laws of Conquest? I fotmd it in the
writings of Henri Bergson.
"The first impulse is to seek shelter; the sec-
ond, which is the better, is to become supple as
possible for flight and above all for attack — at-
tack being the most effective means of defense.
The Conquering Chief, 63
♦ ♦ And in a general way, in the evolution
ol lift, just as in tfie evolution of human societies
and of individual destinies THE GREATEST
SUCCESSES HAVE BEEN FOR THOSE
WHO HAVE ACCEPTED THE HEAVIEST
RISKS."
♦121. "The greatest successes have been for
those who \have accepted the heaviest risk^'.
Mull over that for some time. It's the "whole
thing*' to the Conquering Chief. The daring to
reach for the biggest attainable prizes — ^before
which the multitude stand in awe — this is a
central law.
♦122. The world is filled with cowards who
dare not attempt big things. Convention, and
ridicule and "what will people say?" are ghosts
which take the starch from them. Forget these
bugaboos. IGck 'em into the scrap heap. The
best successes are open to you if only you take
the heaviest risks — ever balanced by cool, dis-
cerning judgment.
♦123. *'Dare what no other man will dare.
Seek to accomplish what no other man would
attempt, is the very way to display yourself as a
superior being in your own and in other^ eye^\
Every phenomenal conquest but testifies to the
abandoning of tradition in the man's inner mind.
It is sheer decisive, dazzling DARING that wins
out for scores of big men of the present day, and
the gaping onlookers haven't the faintest idea of
the real truth of the matter.
64 The Creed of
♦124. Danton, addressing the French revolu-
tionists said : "In order to defeat the enemies of
this country we need audacity and still mare
audacity, and always audacity III
Take your "cue" from that.
*125. Oh! I confess I am not adrancing a
philosophy and creed for the mass (considered as a
mass). Here and there is a man who will
gather together the threads of this lecture and
weave for himself a wonderful fabric.
I beliere in that individual.
I believe he is coming to supremacy.
I believe in the man who works out his own
destiny on a grand scale.
But I do not believe in the man who leans —
who cannot stand alone.
My idea of strength is the rugged oak on the
mountain peak. Stalwart and sturdy; growing
and existing against the odds of nature.
♦126.' The price for this prominence among
men is the struggle to tower above belittlement,
insult, jeer, sarcasm and insolence.
Can you pay that price?
Will you pay that price?
♦127. Listen to this, then:
"Little by little, as the twilight of ancient
things was approaching, a sufficient shadow was
created around the monarchy for the sombre
splendor, peculiar to great men of revolutions,
to become visible to the eye. MIRABEAU
WAS BEGINNING TO RADIATE/'
The Conquering Chief. 65
There U one of the fine "inspiration-stimula-
tors'' of modem literature. May you feel the
thrill and upward urge of that passage. May
you see in your mind's eye all that it would con-
vey — ^the sombre backgroimd, the brilliant central
figure RADIATING POWER. A genuine
CONQUERING CHIEF.
♦128. Here highly resolve Aat you too will
begin to Radiate — against a background of the
ever-present commonplaces in life. Build you
a structure of personality and achievement that
will stand out in bold, rugged, bright outline
against the twilight sky.
Be a Conquering Chief.
♦129. Oh ! I ask you : 'What is life worth if
it he not filled with a wonderful effort toward
great accomplishmentf"
♦130. W t is a man's frame and vesture
worth as a home for his soul and intellect, if
his veins are not filled with a fire and an energy
that give no peace when lazy loafing seeks to
lull him to sleep?
Grant me the right to a life of strife and at-
tainment.
♦131. As was said of a real Conquering
Qiief:— "He delighted to hurry through his
dominions, to multiply himself by rapid move-
ments, to gather at a glance the capacities for
improvements which evenr place possessed; to
suggest plans which would startle by tlieir origi-
66 The Creed of
nality and vastness; to project in an instant,
works which a lifetime could scarcely accomplish,
but which would leave behind the impression of
superhuman energy."
♦132. Refuse the dead stare of standing still —
of accepting as final an3rthing whatsoever* Man
has erred for ages — we have found supposed
truths to be errors. One device is succeeded
by a better. Creeds and religions arise — ^and then
better ones are bom. Things of today will
change — so will those of to-morrow.
The whole progress of man attests to the glory
and grandeur of agitation — ^the desire for con-
stant conquest and change — and for success ris-
ing to higher levels. "To augment, to increase,
to win strength, to march forward, to be worth
more today ttian yesterday — ^that is at once glory
and life" says the philosopher.
♦133. It is said that in Athens every man
represented himself. Be your own representa-
tive and make good to the last ounce of energy
possessed.
G)nstant, preparing Napoleon's wardrobe, for
his meeting the Russian Emperor Alexander,
remarked :
"Sire, your majesty desired to put on the large
Russian decoration.
"Ah, it is true" said Napoleon, "come, put it
on •
Then turning to Talma, the great actor who
was present, he said "You see, we monardis
The Conquering Chief. 67
pursue the same course you da We put on
different costumes, according to the part we play.
I wore a fez in Egypt, and today I put on the
imperial star of Russia'*.
But sire, everywhere you play your part Tvith
masterly skill, and the world, which is your audi-
ence, applauds your majest3r*' replied Talma.
♦134. That is YOUR part.
PLAY WITH MASTERLY SKILL EVERY
ACT. PLAY FOR THE CHIEF GOALS YOU
SEEK. PLAY WITH YOUR BHND CLEAR
AND YOUR EYE OPEN. PLAY WITH THE
CONSCIOUSNESS OF POWER AND ABILI.
TY AND ABUNDANT ENERGY FOR WIN-
NING WHAT YOU WANT.
*13S. In time you are sure to create a stress
in the nature of things, which must — ^not may,
but simply MUST give way and open to you the
road to Chieftainship.
And the Thought to hold is the Spirit of Con-
quest It is the fire in youth's veins which attempts
tiie impossible and presses forward toward the
Infinite. Catch this thrill of conquest — fight on
— admit into your mind no sense of limitation. .
♦136. I know what I say. I have experience<f
this thing — ^with blood rushing through my veins ;
with energies unexplainably multiplied; with
nerves atingle with a sensation as though charged
with vitality unmeasurable ; with brain tensed and
aroused to a rare readiness for creative thinking
— thoughts flashing out over the whole world
and experiencing a sense of touching the realm
68 The Creed of
of genius. My e3res were opened to big financial
vision and a courage-confidence for startling
phases of practical ability awaited my conunand.
In short — it was a sure grip upon the Art of
Conquest.
*137. The Conquering Chief may well read
and review and ponder a lesson which I am to
draw from that master study of fiction and fact
'TOILERS OF THE SEA." Out in the ocean,
on three barren rocks, the character "Gillatt" has
essayed to recover single-handed die enrine of a
wrecked steamer. Tust at the moment of victory,
when about to sail nis sloop home, a late sunmier
e<^uinoctial storm breaks forth in all its fury of
wmd, lightning and rain.
The huge endowment of conquest-power scin-
tillates as the following depicts man's defiant,
daring, and decisive battle against the elements
in their worst frenzy:
"Gillatt was surveying the heavens In his turn.
He raised his head defiantly now. After every
stroke of his axe he stood erect and gazed up-
ward, almost haughtily. He was, or seemed to
be, too near destruction not to feel self-sustained.
Would he Yield to despair ! No ! In the presence
of the wildest fury of ocean he was watchful
as well as bold. He planted his feet only where
the wreck was firm. He ventured his life, and
yet was careful ; for his determination, too, had
reached its highest point. His strength had
grown ten-fold greater. He had become excited
by his own trepidity. The strokes of his axe
were like blows of defiance. He seemed to have
The Conquering Chief. 69
gained in directness what the tempest had lost. A
pathetic struggle I On the one hand indefatigable
will ; on the other, inexhaustible power. It was
a contest with the elements for the prize at his
feet The clouds took the shape of Grorgon masks
in the immensity of the heavens ; every possible
form of terror appeared; the rain came from
the sea,the surf from the cloud ; phantoms of the
wind bent down; meteoric faces revealed them-
selves and were again eclipsed, leaving the dark-
ness still more intense ; then nothing was visible
but the torrents i aging on all sides — ^a boiling sea ;
cumuli heavy with hail, ashen hued, ragged
edged, seemed seized with a sort of whirling
frenzy ; strange rattlings filled the air ; the inverse
currents of electricity observed by Volta darted
their sudden flashes from cloud to cloud. The
prolongation of the lightning was terrible; tfi«
flashes passes close to Gillatt. The very oer^sa
seemed appalled. Gillatt moved to and fro on
the tottering wreck, though the deck trembled
under his feet, striking, cutting, hacking with
the axe in his hand, his features pallid in the
gleam of the lightning, his long hair streaming,
his feet naked, his face covered with the foam of
the sea, but still grand amid the wild tumult of
the storm.
But there was unquenchable fire in his eye.
Superb fire, will-power made visible! Such
is the eye of man. The eyeball tells how much
of the man there is in us. We reveal ourselvea
by the light under our eyebrows. Petty con-
sciences wink ; grand consciences flash. If diere
70 The Creed of
is no spark in the eyeball, there is no thought in
the brain, no love in the heart. He who loves,
wills; and he who wills, lightens and flashes.
Resolution gives fire to the look, — a fire com-
posed of the combustion of timid thoughts.
The headstrong are really the sublime. The
man who is only brave owes it to impulse; the
man who is only valiant merely possesses that
temperament; the man who is courageous has
only one virtue; the man who is headstrong in
the truth is sublime. All the secrets of great
souls lie in the one word Perseverando, Per-
severance is to courage what the winch is to the
lever, a perpetual renewal of the point of sup-
port. Let tiie goal be on earth or in heaven,
to reach the god is everything; in the first case
one is Columbus, in the second case, Jesus.
Never to disobey the dictates of your conscience,
never to allow your will to be disarmed, results
in suffering, but in triumph as well. The pro-
pensity of mortals to fall does not preclude the
possibility of soaring. From the fall comes the
ascension. Weak souls are disconcerted by spec-
ious obstacles ; strong souls, never. Perish they
possibly may; conquer, they certainly will.
The decline of physical strength does not nec-
essarily impair the will. Faith is only a second-
ary power ; the will is the first. The mountains,
which faith is proverbially said to move are
nothing in comparison with what the will can
accomplish.'*
♦138. Weigh well the thought of this; bum
it into your brain cells; saturate your sinews
The Conquering Chief. 71
witn its strength ; gain vitality and valor from its
victorious message.
♦139. The Conquering Chief MUST have
huge endowment of Perseverance, tmwavering
decision, daring, and the fearless holding to the
pathway to his goal — ^unswayed by the cheers
or jeers of the mediocre multitude.
♦140. If you will try to combine all that I have
thus far said into an energetic, aggressive, in-
trepid plan of Action, you will experience the
thrill of Power as you read the following classic
from the great Victor Hugo (which you may
interpret VICTOR, YOU GO).
"Human thought attains in certain men its
maximum intensity.
The human mind has a summit
This summit is the ideaL
"In each age three or four men of genius un-
dertake the ascent. From below the world fol-
lows them with their eyes. These men go up
the motmtain, enter the clouds, disappear, re-
appear. People watch them, mark them. They
walk by the side of precipices. A false step
does not displease certain of the lookers-on.
They daringly pursue their road. See them
aloft, see them in the distance; they are but
black specks. "How small they are," says the
crowd. They are giants. On they go. The
road is uneven, its difficulties constant. At each
step a wall, at each step a trap. As they rise
the cold increases. They must make their lad-
der, cut the ice and walk on it, hewing the steps
72 The Creed of
in haste. Every storm is raging. Neverthe-
less they ^o forward in their mad^ss. The air
beoomes difficult to breathe. The abyss increases
around them. Some fail. Others stop and re-
trace their steps; there is a sad weariness.
"The bold ones continue; those predestined
persist. The dreadful declevity sinJcs beneath
and tries to draw them in; glory is treadierous.
They are eyed by the eagles ; the lightning plays
about them; the hurricane is furious, iio mat-
ter, they persevere.*'
They reach the pinnacle.
They are Super-men.
They are G)nquering Qiiefs.
60 you and profit by their example.
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