What better way to express profound sentiments about success than through the incomparable magic of poetry, which can inspire and motivate all of us to become better persons, entrepreneurs or professionals? Many of the greatest leaders in history quoted or even wrote poetry, from the late US President John F. Kennedy to China’s ancient emperors or the revolutionary Mao Zedong. Even Vietnam’s revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh also wrote poetry. Up to this day in the Forbidden City Museum of Beijing or on walls of palaces or pavilions, you will see how ancient Chinese scholar-leaders, philosophers and other heroes immortalized their lofty ideals and thoughts in poetry in stone, or calligraphy on silk or scrolls.
In the Philippines, I have had the rare privilege of discussing ancient Chinese poetry and literature with business titans like Lucio Tan and the late Tan Yu. In order to brush up on Chinese classical poetry and history, Lucio Tan a few years ago invited retired Xiamen University Professor Huang and his wife to live in his guesthouse, to be on call anytime he was free to study poetry and history. I once saw the late Tan Yu once memorizing Mao Zedong’s immortal poem "Snow" and translating each phrase into Tagalog for Speaker Joe de Venecia Jr. to hear and appreciate. I recall Tan Yu complaining to De Venecia that lots of our politicos are eloquent with too many words, but these words do not have historic impact and are often "mere fluff," but he pointed to the brief, concise but explosive force of the poetic lines of true statesmen like Mao Zedong. The late Tan Yu once even told me of a great Chinese king surnamed Li who had lost his kingdom, but who redeemed his reputation and had since been revered in history for the greatness of his sublime poetry.
Better than even MBA schools or fancy business textbooks or management theory bestsellers, a lot of success ideas can be learned from the world’s wealth of poems. I wish to share a couple of poems which are gems of wisdom about the secrets of true success.
who have gained the respect of intelligent people and the love of children;
who have filled their niche and accomplished their task;
who leave the world better than they found it,
whether by a perfect poem or a rescued soul;
who never lacked appreciation of the earth’s beauty or failed to express it;
who looked for the best in others and gave the best they had. – Bessie Anderson Stanley, 1904
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children,
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty,
to find the best in others,
to leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed
easier because you lived.
This is to have succeeded. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won
had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tints of the clouds of doubt
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things seem worst
that you must not quit