by William A. Alcott from The Young Woman's Guide

"Whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well", is an old but true maxim. More than even this might be affirmed. Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing in the best possible manner. No matter how well you have done the same thing heretofore; no matter how much more perfectly you already do it than your neighbors. You are not to make the past of your own experience, or the present of your neighbor's, the measure of your conduct. The question is--How well can I perform this particular act now?