[MadIvan]

I should be depressed. I've had two companies shot out from underneath me this year, my first went bankrupt and in the process of not paying my settlement, bankrupted me. This second pulled the plug on my entire department after only 4 months.

This is after a pretty hectic two years involving a divorce, moving from the Netherlands, to Belgium, back to Britain, and various flats, cities, and other jobs.

But then I remember some of my American heroes such as John Quincy Adams. JQA suffered from what would be called clinical depression today, "melancholy" in his day. Yet by force of will, he got up in the morning and carried on.

I remember what my other hero, Calvin Coolidge had to say:

"Nothing in the world can take place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

I have had moments of depression, but with family and friends around, I've picked up and carried on - partially because I have no other mode of existence. No drugs required. I am of the opinion we're all overmedicated as it is.

Regards, Ivan

[SlickWillard]

I remember what my other hero, Calvin Coolidge had to say:

"Nothing in the world can take place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

Off the top of your head, do you know a source for that quote?