If you think you are beaten, you are;
if you think you dare not, you don't;
if you'd like to win, but you think you can't,
it's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you've lost,
for out in the world you find
success begins with a person's will.
It's all in the state of the mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are;
you've got to think high to rise;
you've got to be sure of yourself before
you can ever win the prize.

Many a race is lost
before a step is run;
and many a coward fails
before ever his work's begun.

Think big and your deeds will grow;
think small and you'll fall behind;
think that you can and you will.
It's all in the state of the mind.

Life's battles don't always go
to the stronger or faster person:
but sooner or later the person who wins
is the person who thinks he can.


Hugo J.K. de Vries