Self-help; with illustrations of character and conduct

About “Self-help; with illustrations of character and conduct”

Self-Help; with Illustrations of Character and Conduct is a book published in 1859 by Samuel Smiles. It became known as "the bible of mid-Victorian liberalism" and was described by Darwin biographer Janet Browne as "the bible of the improving middle classes." The second edition, published in 1866, added Perseverance to the subtitle. The book promoted values such as self-reliance and personal responsibility, reflecting the beliefs of the middle class during the mid-19th century. It emphasized the idea of entrepreneurial improvement and was influential in shaping the moral and social ideals of the time. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.)