If you've got a talent, protect it.
Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.
If you're going through hell, keep going.
Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.
Always desire to learn something useful.
The dog that trots about finds a bone.
I can, therefore I am.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
Never complain and never explain.
To know oneself, one should assert oneself.
But to me the bottom line is the more education you can give yourself, and the more preparation you can do, the less chance of failing.