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The Ultimate Formula of Success

A native of Hanover County, Virginia, Henry Clay moved to Lexington, Kentucky at the age of 15 in November, 1797. In Kentucky, Clay established himself as a prominent lawyer, politician, and orator. His skill took him to the Senate and to the House of Representatives, both as a representative of Kentucky. He also served three terms as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and he was Secretary of State from 1825 to 1829. Abraham Lincoln often remarked that Henry Clay was his idol and mentor. Public Domain Photograph.

Over 160 years ago, Henry Clay, one of the most powerful statesmen in U.S. history, gave a remarkable speech at the National Law School at Ballston Spa, New York. At one point during his presentation, the “Great Compromiser” revealed what is perhaps the ultimate formula of success. He said,

“Constant, persevering application will accomplish everything. To this quality, if I may be allowed to speak of myself, more than to anything else, do I owe the little success which I have attained. Left in early life to work my own way alone, without friends or pecuniary resources, and with no other than a common education, I saw that the pathway before was long, steep and rugged, and that the height upon which I had ventured to fix the eye of my ambition, could be reached only by toil – the most severe, and a purpose – the most indomitable. But shrinking from no labor, disheartened by no obstacles, I struggled on. No opportunity, which the most watchful vigilance could secure, to exercise my power, was permitted to pass by unimproved.”

Although Clay spoke these auspicious words to a group of law students, they apply equally and just as powerfully to students of strength. And, if you apply Clay’s formula of success to your muscle-building program, you will be on your way to making the best gains in the gym you possibly can.

Rob Drucker