Self-Help

The book was initially written for Smiles' speeches. Around 1856 he often lectured in Leeds to an audience composed of destitute and helpless young man at a crude and empty house which was originally a makeshift ward for cholera patients. In his speeches Smiles tried to drive home that one's happiness largely depends on their own efforts, diligence, learning, self-discipline and self-control. More important are integrity, honesty and fulfilling one's responsibilities. The warm reception of the speeches was unexpected. So he transcribed his speeches, or in Smiles' own words, "e;books travel farther than words"e;. He entitled his book "e;Self-Help"e; because he could not find a more fitting than this title.