Self-Help, with Illustrations of Character and Conduct

Self-Help, with Illustrations of Character and Conduct is a didactic work by Samuel Smiles, first published in 1859. It became a cornerstone of the Victorian "gospel of work," emphasizing values like individual enterprise and self-reliance. The book, which sold over 250,000 copies by the end of the century and was widely translated, originated from lectures Smiles gave on self-improvement. Smiles, who experienced early fatherlessness, learned the importance of self-reliance firsthand. His work, alongside others like Character and Thrift, promoted the idea that personal effort and good conduct are key to success and societal progress. This aligns with the broader theme of self-reliance found in works like Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay of the same name, which encourages individuals to trust their inner guidance.12