When we study the subject closely we find that there are two kinds of despondency, each one having its own causes and requiring its own special remedies. The first of these will require but little attention, as it can hardly be called a mental ailment, being rather a symptom of disordered thoughts and wrong view points. It usually rises from unpleasant experience such as disappointments from failure or defeat, and is therefore easily removed by training the mind to count everything joy, and by resolving to go in to win, no matter what present conditions may indicate.

When we look at life from the higher view point, from the view point of the real greatness of man, we will lose neither hope nor courage though we fail repeatedly. From this view point we discover that every failure can be made a stepping-stone to success, and we proceed to use failure in that way whenever it appears. If we are to use failure in this way, however, we must never permit ourselves to fall into despair, but must meet every occasion in the attitude of complete self-mastery. Every failure is simply valuable energy gone astray, and if we approach this misdirected energy in the right attitude we can regain its possession and cause it to work for our advantage.