He Can Who Thinks He Can

He Can Who Thinks He Can is a book by Orison Swett Marden, first published in 1908. This compact classic of positive thinking and practical motivation gathers essays and short papers in which Marden argues that character, persistence, and right mental attitude — not luck or birth — are the true engines of success.

Written in plain, punchy prose, the book offers advice on self-confidence, perseverance, leadership, and everyday habits that produce results. It reads like a handbook for personal development, full of memorable aphorisms and real-world examples that encourage readers to turn belief into action.

Rooted in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century New Thought tradition but aimed at everyday readers, the book influenced generations of self-help and motivational writing by insisting that the “golden opportunity” lies within the individual. Its emphasis on willpower, industriousness, and steady optimism makes it useful today for anyone seeking timeless guidance on mindset, resilience, and practical success.