From James Allen to You 36

From poverty to power; or, the realization of prosperity and peace.
Part 2: The path to prosperity
The way out of undesirable conditions 15

Do not complain that you are a slave,
but lift yourself up,
by noble conduct,
above the plane of slavery.
Before complaining that you are a slave to another,
be sure that you are not a slave to self.

Look within;
look searchingly,
and have no mercy upon yourself.
You will find there, perchance,
slavish thoughts, slavish desires,
and in your daily life and conduct slavish habits.

Conquer these;
cease to be a slave to self,
and no man will have the power to enslave you.
As you overcome self,
you will overcome all adverse conditions,
and every difficulty will fall before you.

to complain = to say that something is wrong or not satisfactory
noble = moral in an honest, brave, and kind way
conduct = behaviour
mercy = kindness that makes you forgive someone
perchance = possibly
adverse = having a negative or harmful effect on something