Good deeds act and react on the doers of them; and so do evil.

Not only so: they produce like effects, by the influence of example, on those who are the subjects of them.

But man is not the creature, so much as he is the creator, of circumstances: [108] and, by the exercise of his freewill, he can direct his actions so that they shall be productive of good rather than evil.

"Nothing can work me damage but myself," said St.Bernard; "the harm that I sustain I carry about with me; and I am never a real sufferer but by my own fault." The best sort of character, however, cannot be formed without effort.
There needs the exercise of constant self-watchfulness, self-discipline, and self-control.

There may be much faltering, stumbling, and temporary defeat; difficulties and temptations manifold to be battled with and overcome; but if the spirit be strong and the heart be upright, no one need despair of ultimate success.