He Can Who Thinks He Can

Long remembered from years back was a book with an intriguing title. The content we do not much remember, but the title we recall: “He can who thinks he can.” It could apply to almost any endeavor — to developing talents, to improving performance, to learning; overcoming habits, repenting, even to moving toward perfection — toward it, if not to it. “He can who thinks he can.” Two men may be ill, with somewhat the same physical resources, one with a will to live and one without, and with an opposite outcome. Doctors have observed it often. The difference between two athletes may not be altogether physical; there may be an added element of spirit, of will, of morale, the determination to succeed, to excel. Many accomplish much because they think they can, because they have faith they can. Many break habits because they are convinced they can. The courage to say “no” at the right time and “yes” at the right time is of great consequence. Those who move forward are those who have faith, who have confidence they can. The courage to undertake good but difficult tasks and to see them through, is a great quality of character. The Lord God meant us to learn, to use our intelligence, to solve our problems, to face up to facts, to decide for ourselves. “The spirit of self-help,” said Samuel Smiles, “is the root of all genuine growth in the individual.”¹ “It is no use saying ‘We are doing our best.'” said Winston Churchill. “You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.”² “The way for a young man to rise,” said Abraham Lincoln, “is to improve himself every way he can, never suspecting that anybody wishes to hinder him.”³ With wanting to, with believing in ourselves, and with believing in the help that can come from outside ourselves, “He can who thinks he can.”