I Dare You! (1958)
Title: “I Dare You!”
Author: WILLIAM H. DANFORTH
Publisher: The Danforth Foundation St. Louis, Missouri
Year of Publication: 1958
Pages: ~149
LOC Catalog Entry: http://lccn.loc.gov/31021549
Copyright Status: Public Domain in the United States and countries following the rule of the shorter term
EXCERPTS:
FOREWORD
“THOSE OF Us who were associated with Mr. Danforth in business know this Dare idea works. Practically all the leaders in his great organization were boys who came from humble surroundings and were dared by him to high accomplishments. He dared most by his own daring example. Mr. Danforth always gave the best that was in him, whether he was guiding a great industry, traveling in a remote corner of the world, shooting ducks or playing with his grandchildren. The day ahead was always the most thrilling day in his life. The job at hand was always the most important one he had ever undertaken. He never gave less than his best.
Several years ago Mr. Danforth published ”I Dare You” in a limited first edition for the benefit of his business, family and personal friends. Each book passed many times from one person to another. The idea spread and affected people of all ages and in all walks of life. In one case, ”I Dare You” inspired the sale of over $5,000,000 worth of insurance in a special day of the Life Underwriters’ Association. The demand from salesmanagers, Y. M. C. A. secretaries, business executives, college organizations, vocational teachers, personnel workers, preachers—everyone whose aim it is to challenge men and women to superior accomplishment—soon exhausted the early editions. Now comes the seventeenth edition revised and improved. ”I Dare You” is in its second printing in Canada. Here is more than a book. It is a working pattern of life written out of a pioneer business man’s own rich experience. It is the challenge for which Today’s Youth is waiting. It is a practical plan for action for everybody who wants to go somewhere and be somebody.
G. M. PHILPOTT
AUTHOR’S PREFACE
I agree that a business man should stick to business. But a proven four-fold program, plus a love for Youth, plus an inner urge—all dare me to write this book.
”I Dare You” is for the daring few who are headed somewhere. Those afraid to Dare might as well pass it up. It will weary the lazy because it calls for immediate action. It will bore the sophisticated, and amuse the skeptics. It will antagonize others. Some will not even know what it is all about. It will not be over popular because it calls for courage, swift and daring. But in the eyes of you, one of the priceless few, I trust will come a gleam of battle as you read on. You can be a bigger person than you are and I am going to prove it to you.
I am indebted beyond measure to Gordon M. Philpott who has been of inestimable help in the writing and editing of ”I Dare You.” His keen insight, his rare judgment and his frank criticisms have helped make this book a labor of love instead of a drab task. I honor him as a close associate in business, but most of all I cherish him as an understanding friend.
W. H. D.
I DARE YOU!
IT IS DIFFICULT to put a challenge on paper. I would rather look you straight in the eye and say, ”I dare you!” In my mind that’s exactly what I am doing. I am on one side of a table. You are on the other. I am looking across and saying ”I dare you!”
I Dare You, young man, you who come from a home of poverty—I dare you to have the qualities of a Lincoln.
I Dare You, heir of wealth and proud ancestry, with your generations of worthy stock, your traditions of leadership—I dare you to achieve something that will make the future point to you with even more pride than the present is pointing to those who have gone before you.
I Dare You, young mother, to make your life a masterpiece upon which that little family of yours can build. Strong women bring forth strong men.
I Dare You, debutante, to be a queen. Make life obey you, not you it. It is only a shallow dare to do the foolish things. I dare you to do the uplifting, courageous things.
I Dare You, young executive, to shoulder more responsibility joyously, to launch out into the deep, to build magnificently.
I Dare You, young author, to win the Nobel prize.
I Dare You, young researcher, to become a Microbe Hunter.
I Dare You, barefoot boy on the farm, to become a Master Farmer—A Hunger Fighter.
I Dare You, man of affairs, to have a “Magnificent Obsession.”
I Dare You, Grandfather, with your roots deep in the soil and your head above the crowd, catching the rays of the sun, to plan a daring program to crown the years of your life.
I Dare You, who think life is humdrum, to start a fight. I dare you who are weak to be strong; you who are dull to be sparkling; you who are slaves to be kings.
I Dare You, whoever you are, to share with others the fruits of your daring. Catch a passion for helping others and a richer life will come back to you!”
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
FOREWORD iii
AUTHOR’S PREFACE v
I DARE YOU ix, x
You CAN BE BIGGER THAN YOU ARE 1
ARE YOU ONE OF THE PRICELESS FEW? 5
I DARE YOU TO ADVENTURE 8
I DARE YOU TO DO THINGS 13
Now FOR THE START 21
I DARE YOU TO BE STRONG 24
I DARE YOU TO THINK CREATIVELY 45
I DARE YOU TO DEVELOP A MAGNETIC PERSONALITY 64
I DARE YOU TO BUILD CHARACTER 81
I DARE YOU TO SHARE 93
LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP 105
I DARE AND SHARE 116
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