SOME EVERY-DAY VIRTUES
I would rather be right than president!"
At first thought those words seem to be the declaration of an
unusually upright and conscientious person. But let us study them a
little more deeply and closely.
The desire to do right and to deserve the approbation of all good
people is very strong in every human breast. Not until a man has lost
his moral sense of values would he trade his integrity and self-respect
for any other gift the world could offer. This being true, who among
us would care to be president if in order to occupy that exalted
position he must be obviously in the wrong?
Thus we see that after all is said and done, the one great prize for
which we all aspire is the love and good will of our friends and of
the world. For no matter how much of wealth and fame may come to us,
without the love and respect of our fellow beings we must ever remain
poor and friendless.
He is the richest who deserves the most friends. Wealth is a matter of
the heart and not of the pocket. A thousand slaves piling up wealth
for their master cannot make him rich. It is not that which others do
for us that makes us possessors of great wealth, but that which we do
for others. All true riches are self made. Only when the hand and the
heart are put into one's work does it yield a lasting worth. In the
final true analysis the picture forever belongs to the painter who
paints it; the poem to the poet who writes it; the loaf of bread to
the toiler who earns it. Wealth may acquire these things but it cannot
own them.
Therefore the true value of character is something that each must
achieve for himself. It cannot be bought; it cannot be bequeathed to
us; it must be earned by each individual who would possess it. Hence
it is that these great riches may be acquired by all who desire to
possess them.
Where are they to be found? Right here.
When may we obtain them? Right now.
Do you care to learn the only way in which you can come into
possession of them? "Whoever you are--wise or foolish, rich or poor,"
says Rebecca Harding Davis, "God sent you into His world, as He sent
every other human being, to help the men and women in it, to make them
happier and better. If you do not do that, no matter what your powers
may be, you are mere lumber, a worthless bit of world's furniture. A
Stradivarius, if it hangs dusty and dumb upon the wall, is not of as
much real value as a kitchen poker which is used."
So we learn that it is the fine practical spirit, content and willing
to do the humble things which are possible of achievement that is
doing most to lift the world to a higher and better plane. "Have you
never met humble men and women," asks Gannett, "who read little, who
knew little, yet who had a certain fascination as of fineness lurking
about them? Know them, and you are likely to find them persons who
have put so much thought and honesty and conscientious trying into
their common work--it may be sweeping rooms, or planing boards, or
painting walls--have put their ideals so long, so constantly, so
lovingly into that common work of theirs, that finally these qualities
have come to permeate not their work only, but so much of their being,
that they are fine-fibred within, even if on the outside the rough
bark clings."
If we are wisely introspective, we must reach the conclusion that
humble though we may be, we are after all, a component part of the
great expression of being, and that we are well worth while. Then if
we are worth while, it follows that all we do is worth while, for each
of us is, in the end, the sum of all the things he has done. Once we
have this idea that everything stands for something more than the mere
thing itself--that it is correlated in its influences with all the
other things that we and all others are doing, we shall invest all our
tasks, little and big, with more of purpose and importance. Emerson
says:
"There is no end to the sufficiency of character. It can afford to
wait; it can do without what it calls success; it cannot but succeed.
To a well-principled man existence is victory. He defends himself
against failure in his main design by making every inch of the road to
it pleasant. There is no trifle and no obscurity to him: he feels the
immensity of the chain whose last link he holds in his hand, and is
led by it."
Perhaps no other every-day virtue counts for so much in the general
welfare of the world as the adapting of one's self to, and the making
the most of, one's immediate surroundings. It is in the hundreds of
little, unrecorded deeds of kindness and goodness that we lay the
foundations of character. And because these humble lives, that mean so
much to the other humble lives with which they come into touch, are
never specifically named and shouted by the multitudinous tongues of
type, that many fail to see in them the elements of true and noble
achievement with which they are crowned. "The most inspiring tales,"
it has been truly said, "are those that have not been written; the
most heroic deeds are those that have not been told; the world's
greatest successes have been won in the quiet of men's hearts, the
noblest heroes are the countless thousands who have struggled and
triumphed, rising on stepping-stones of their dead selves to higher
things."
Since it is these humbler every-day virtues that one is called upon
oftenest to exercise, or to neglect, it is apparent that the one who
possesses the most of them and who cultivates them the most earnestly
has the greatest number of opportunities of winning the admiration of
others. It is of a girl possessing this fine adaptability to the
world's workaday surroundings that "Amber" draws this pen-picture:
"Shall I tell the kind of girl that I especially adore? Well, first of
all, let us take the working girl. She is not a 'lady' in the
acceptance of the term as it is employed by many members of this
latter day's hybrid democracy. She is just a blithe, cheery,
sweet-tempered young woman. She may have a father rich enough to support
her at home, but for all that she is a working girl. She is never idle.
She is studying or sewing or helping about the home part of the day.
She is romping or playing or swinging out of doors the other part. She
is never frowsy or untidy or lazy. She is never rude or slangy or
bold. And yet she is always full of fun and ready for frolic. She does
not depend upon a servant to do what she can do for herself. She is
considerate toward all who serve her. She is reverent to the old and
thoughtful of the feeble. She never criticises when criticism can
wound, and she is ready with a helpful, loving word for every one.
Sometimes she has no father, or her parents are too poor to support
her. Then she goes out and earns her living by whatever her hands find
to do. She clerks in a store, or she counts out change at a cashier's
desk, or she teaches school, or she clicks a typewriter, or rather a
telegrapher's key, but always and everywhere she is modest and willing
and sweet.
"She has too much dignity to be imposed upon, or put to open affront,
but she has humility also, and purity that differs from prudishness as
a dove in the air differs from a stuffed bird in a showcase. She is
quick to apologize when she knows she is in the wrong, yet no young
queen ever carried a higher head than she can upon justifiable
occasions. She is not always imagining herself looked down upon
because she is poor. She knows full well that out of her own heart and
mouth proceed the only witnesses that can absolve or condemn her. If
she is quick to be courteous, unselfish, gentle and retiring in speech
and manner in public places, she is true gold, even though her dress
be faded and her hat a little out of style. You cannot mistake any
such girl any more than you can mistake the sunshine that follows the
rain or the lark that springs from the hawthorne hedge. All things
that are blooming and sweet attend her! The earth is better for her
passing through it and heaven will be fairer for her habitation
therein."
How fortunate it is for us who would practice these little every-day
virtues that we do not have to wait for some noted person at some
remote time to tell the world that we are striving in our own humble
way to be kind and thoughtful. There is some one within the sound of
our voice and within the reach of our hand who will be glad to testify
to our goodness.
Kindness is never shown in vain.
The gift blesses the giver, even though the one receiving the gift is
ungrateful. Consciously or unconsciously we exert an influence upon
all who come within the zone of our being. Surely those who know us
best ought to be the ones to appreciate us the most intelligently. If
we are lovable, will they not love us? If we love them, will it not
serve to make them lovable? Let us not keep the nice little attentions
and the carefully selected words for the stranger and the passer-by,
but have as much regard for the ones of our own intimate family
circle. We should be happy to do most for them who do most for us. One
of our students of human happiness says to us: "Get into the way of
idealizing what you have; let the picturesqueness of your own
imagination play round the village where you do live, instead of the
one where you wish to live; weave a romance round the brother you have
got, instead of round the Prince Perfect of a husband whom you have
not got." And Marcus Aurelius says: "Think not so much of what thou
hast not, as of what thou hast; but of the things which thou hast,
select the best, and then reflect how eagerly they would have been
sought if thou had'st them not."
Culture, itself, is but a composite expression of our simple, every-day
virtues. It must be measured by its outward manifestation of
regard for the pleasure, happiness and advancement of others. Literary
culture will open up the windows of the soul that the light of virtue
from within may shine forth and dispel the darkness of vice with which
it comes in contact. "Unless one's knowledge of good books--his
literary scholarship--has so taken hold upon him as to make him
exemplary, in a large measure, he cannot be said to be cultured," says
one of our students of higher ethics. "His learning should cultivate a
choice and beautiful address, a cheerful and loving countenance, a
magnificent and spirited carriage, a refinement of manner, an
agreeable presence."
The extent to which we may feel a sense of peaceful satisfaction at
the end of a day, depends upon how we have lived that day. We soon
learn that the day means most for us in which we do most for others.
If we have lived for self alone, it has been
A LOST DAY
Count that day truly worse than lost
You might have made divine,
Through which you sprinkled bits of frost
But never a speck of shine.
"At the end of life," says Hugh Black, "we shall not be asked how much
pleasure we had in it, but how much service we gave in it; not how
full it was of success, but how full it was of sacrifice; not how
happy we were, but how helpful we were; not how ambition was
gratified, but how love was served. Life is judged by love; and love
is known by her fruits."
The every-day virtues include very many fine little traits that serve
unconsciously to make our paths smoother, our skies bluer and all of
life more glad and golden. They constitute a habit of doing the right
thing at all times and so quietly and unostentatiously that no one is
made to feel any sense of obligation. One who possesses these virtues
does not wait for stated times and occasions to bestow evidences of
love and good will upon others, but like a flower in bloom spreads the
fine perfume of friendship upon all who come within the charmed
presence. Intuitively and unconsciously does the owner of these
virtues follow the precept set forth by the philosopher: "I shall pass
through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do,
or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now.
Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way
again." And in expressing the same sentiment Amiel says: "Do not wait
to be just or pitiful or demonstrative towards those we love until
they or we are struck down by illness or threatened with death. Life
is short, and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of
those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh! be swift to
love, make haste to be kind!" We should not wait till some sad
experience has taught us the rare privilege we may now own of offering
A ROSE TO THE LIVING
A rose to the living is more
Than sumptuous wreaths to the dead;
In filling love's infinite store;
A rose to the living is more,
If graciously given before
The hungering spirit is fled,--
A rose to the living is more
Than sumptuous wreaths to the dead.
Of all the homely virtues there is none more to be commended and
desired than patience. This priceless quality of mind puts its
possessor into friendly relations with whatever the surrounding
conditions may chance to be. There is no irritation, no clash of
interests, no lack of organization for performing to the best of one's
ability the duties of the moment, as they present themselves for
consideration. Nothing is so conducive to success as to be able,
calmly and patiently, to do to the best of one's ability the tasks
that present themselves. "Success in life," says one of our students
of the world's problems, "depends far more upon the decision of
character than upon the possession of what is called genius. The man
who is perpetually hesitating as to which of two things he will do,
will do neither." On the other hand the man who hastily and
impatiently disposes of the problems that confront him also impairs
his chances for making the best of life.
Have you ever experienced the sorry realization of how one petulant or
peevish member of a household can destroy the happiness of a breakfast
or dinner hour? What would otherwise have been a pleasant coming
together of kindly congenial spirits is made painful and unprofitable
because some one lacked the patience and forbearance to withstand and
to surmount some little trial or irritation that should have been
promptly dismissed from the mind and the heart, or better still, which
never should have been permitted to enter. As has been truly observed,
membership in the family involves the recognition that the normal life
of the individual is to be found only in a perfect union with other
members; in regard for their rights; in deference to their wishes; and
in devotion to that common interest in which each member shares. Each
member must live for the sake of the whole family. "Children owe to
their parents obedience, and such service as they are able to render,"
says Dr. DeWitt Hyde. "Parents, on the other hand, owe to children
support, training, and an education sufficient to give them a fair
start in life. Brothers and sisters owe to each other mutual
helpfulness and protection."
The patient disposition to do the best one can, this day, this hour,
this very moment, counts for much in the building of a life. How
perfectly is its whole purpose set forth in Channing's "Symphony," in
which he so beautifully makes known his heart's desire: "To live
content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury; and
refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and
wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act
frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open
heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry
never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow
up through the common. This is to be my symphony."
It is this rare sense of poise, this patient regard for our own
happiness and that of others, that enables some sweet spirits to come
as a balm for all the bruises that a busy world can put upon us.
"There is no joy but calm." Until one has learned to do his work
pleasantly and agreeably he has not mastered the most important part
of his lesson. "Blessed is the man who finds joy in his work." He will
succeed where the complaining, discontented person will be almost sure
to fail. So, let us cultivate this one of the chiefest of our every-day
virtues. It will enable us to give to every moment the proper
regard for its value and of the possibilities it offers for
achievement. It will teach us that during every day, every hour, every
moment, there is time for politeness, for kindness, for gentleness,
for the display of strength and tenderness and high purpose, and for
the exercise of that degree of patience that does so much to make life
big and broad and beautiful in
THIS BUSY WORLD
It is a very busy world in which we mortals meet,
There are so many weary hands, so many tired feet;
So many, many tasks are born with every morning's sun.
And though we labor with a will the work seems never done.
And yet for every moment's task there comes a moment's time:
The burden and the strength to bear are like a perfect rhyme.
The heart makes strong the honest hand, the will seeks out the way,
Nor must we do to-morrow's work, nor yesterday's, to-day.
We scale the mountain's rugged side, not at one mighty leap,
But step by step and breath by breath we climb the lofty steep.
Each simple duty comes alone our willing strength to try;
One little moment at a time and so the days go by.
With strength to lift and heart to hope, we strive from sun to sun,
A little here, a little there, and all our tasks are done;
There's time to toil and time to sing and time for us to play,
Nor must we do to-morrow's work, nor yesterday's, to-day.
[Illustration: From a Photograph, Copyright, 1902, by J. E. Purdy, Boston
JULIA WARD HOWE]
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[Transcriber's Note: Sidenote quotations from the preceeding chapter are
gathered in this section.]
Each, whatever his estate, in his own unconscious breast bears the
talisman of fate.--John Townsend Trowbridge.
When a man has not a good reason for doing a thing, he has one good
reason for letting it alone.--Thomas Scott.
Once a body laughs he cannot be angry more.--James M. Barrie.
Success is usually the result of a sharpened sense of what is wanted.
--Frank Moore Colby.
He that falls in love with himself, will have no rivals.--Benjamin
Franklin.
A sinful heart makes a feeble hand.--Walter Scott.
Look within, for you have a lasting foundation of happiness at home
that will always bubble up if you will but dig for it.--Marcus
Aurelius Antoninus.
To a friend's house the road is never long.--Danish Proverb.
Honest toil is holy service; faithful work is praise and prayer.
--Henry Van Dyke.
Give me the toiler's joy who has seen the sunlight burst on the
distant turrets in the land of his desire.--Muriel Strode.
You can buy a lot of happiness with a mighty small salary, but
fashionable happiness always costs just a little more than you're
making.--George Horace Lorimer.
A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only
edged tool that grows keener with constant use.--Washington Irving.
Where there is one man who squints with his eyes, there are a dozen
who squint with their brains.--Oliver Wendell Holmes.
When a true genius appears in the world you may know him by this sign,
that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.--Jonathan Swift.
What we have got to do is to keep up our spirits and be neighborly. We
shall come all right in the end, never fear.--Dickens.
Happiness is the feeling we experience when we are too busy to be
miserable.--Thomas L. Masson.
Duty is the sublimest word in the English language.--Gen. Robert E.
Lee.
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done
without hope.--Keller.
The activity and soundness of a man's actions will be determined by
the activity and soundness of his thoughts.--Beecher.
What men want is not talent, it is purpose; not the power to achieve,
but the will to labor.--Bulwer Lytton.
We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others
judge us by what we have already done.--Longfellow.
The great hope of society is individual character.--Channing.
Concentrate all your thought upon the work in hand. The sun's rays do
not burn until brought to a focus.--Alexander G. Bell.
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your reputation, for
it is better to be alone than in bad company.--George Washington.
The public school playground transposes many a boy from a public
liability to a public asset.--A. E. Winship.
Real coolness and self-possession are the indispensable accompaniments
of a great mind.--Dickens.
One of the crying needs of society is the revival of gentleness and of
a refined considerateness in judging others.--Newell D. Hillis.
In this world inclination to do things is of more importance than the
mere power.--Chapin.
Character lives in a man, reputation outside of him.--J. G. Holland.
Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.
--Johnson.
Patience is a necessary ingredient of genius.--Disraeli.
Follow your honest convictions and be strong.--Thackeray.
Admonish your friends privately, but praise them openly.--Publius
Syrus.
Economy is of itself a great revenue.--Comtelburo.
Grace is the outward expression of the inward harmony of the soul.
--Hazlitt.
Our grand business undoubtedly is not to see what lies dimly at a
distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.--Carlyle.
Pull on the oar and not on your influential friends.--A. E. Winship.
The noblest mind the best contentment hath.--Spenser.
To be usefully and hopefully employed is one of the great secrets of
happiness.--Smiles.
The man who has begun to live more seriously within, begins to live
more simply without.--Phillips Brooks.
Everything in this world depends upon will.--Disraeli.
A man is valued according to his own estimate of himself.--Comtelburo.
All men wish to have truth on their side; but few to be on the side of
truth.--Whately.
Mightier than all the world, the clasp of one small hand upon the
heart.--John Townsend Trowbridge.
The truest wisdom is a resolute determination.--Napoleon.
Character must stand behind and back up everything--the sermon, the
poem, the picture, the play. None of them is worth a straw without
it.--J. G. Holland.
The question every morning is not how to do the gainful thing, but how
to do the just thing.--John Ruskin.
Resolve to be thyself; and know that he who finds himself, loses his
misery.--Matthew Arnold.
I hate a thing done by halves. If it be right, do it boldly; if it be
wrong, leave it undone.--Gilpin.
What we need most is not so much to realize the ideal as to idealize
the real.--F. H. Hedge.
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