The surest way to get a thing in this life is to be prepared for doing without it, to the exclusion even of hope.
Interpretation
Being prepared to live without something can lead to acquiring it more effectively.
This quote suggests that detaching from the desire for a particular outcome or possession can ultimately lead to achieving it. By freeing oneself from the emotional burden of hope and expectation, one can focus fully on the necessary actions and preparations that might bring about that desired result, fostering resilience and personal growth.
In practice
In a motivational speech about achieving personal goals.
Does not a man physically tremble under the mere look of a wild beast or fellow-man that is stronger than himself? Does not a woman redden all over when she feels her lover's eyes on her? How then should one doubt the mysterious power of one individual over another?
How many precious things do we not already possess which others have not - have hardly an idea of! Let us enjoy these, then, and bless God that we are permitted to enjoy them, rather than importune His goodness with vain longings for more.
I declare I would rather be a kitten and cry, 'Mew!' than live as I see many of my female acquaintances do, tearing each other's characters to pieces, and wearing out their lives in vanity and vexation of spirit.
One feels as if it could never, never be less. And yet all griefs, when there is no bitterness in them, are soothed down by time.
But what are friends? What is a husband, even, compared with one's Mother? Of her love, one is always so sure! It is the only love that nothing - not even misconduct on our part - can take away from us.
Never does one feel oneself so utterly helpless as in trying to speak comfort for great bereavement.
I happen to be extremely left-brained; my instinct is to draw a chart rather than a picture. I'm trying to get my right-brain muscles into shape. I actually think this shift toward right-brain abilities has the potential to make us both better off and better in a deeper sense.
Doubts and mistrust are the mere panic of timid imagination, which the steadfast heart will conquer, and the large mind transcend.
It takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and genius, especially ambitious young men and women.
I've always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.
Talk, talk, talk: the utter and heartbreaking stupidity of words.
The spirit of Lincoln still lives; that spirit born of the teachings of the Nazarene, who promised mercy to the merciful, who lifted the lowly, strengthened the weak, ate with publicans, and made the captives free. In the light of this divine example, the doctrines of demagogues shiver in their chaff.
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