Some four hundred names of the most noted people of all times, from all walks of life were chosen. There were statesmen, painters, warriors, poets, writers, etc. Opposite the name of each person was listed his greatest work or achievement, followed by the date at which the work was produced. In this way, the age was ascertained at which the individual was at his best. The list was then arranged according to decades.

It was found that the decade of years between sixty and seventy contained 35% of the world's greatest achievements. Between the ages of seventy and eighty, 23% of the achievements fell; and in the years after the eightieth, 6%.

In other words, 64% of the great things of the world have been accomplished by those who had passed their sixtieth year, the greatest percentage, 35%, being in the seventh decade.

The figures for the other periods of life are interesting. Between the fiftieth and sixtieth years are found 25% between forty and fifty, 10%. These, all totaled together, leave the almost negligible quantity of 1% to be attributed to the period below the age of forty. The same can be true in achievements for the Lord. He has work for each child of God to do, regardless of their age.

—Selected