It is cowardly to “dare” do a wrong thing when the right course would
take real moral courage. It is cowardly to “dare” do a foolish thing to
avoid being laughed at by “the other fellows.”
It is cowardly, and vulgar as well, for a girl to let herself be drawn
into a silly flirtation, a course that cheapens her own womanly nature
and makes her the toy of the moment, just because “the other girls do
it.”
It is cowardly for a grocer to give short weight, put sand in his sugar
or sell cheap substitutes for pure food, just because his competitors
do.
It is cowardly for a lawyer, merchant or other business man to indulge
in sharp practices because others in the same line of business have set
the example.
It is cowardly for a woman to try to dress more extravagantly than her
purse will permit, to keep pace with her neighbors. And here I am going
to say something which will cause some eyes to open wide in
astonishment—it is cowardly to deny one’s self or one’s family the
reasonable comforts of life when they can be afforded. Some do go to
this extreme just from the love of being considered “prudent.”
Don’t mind what the “other fellow” says, or thinks, in these matters
that concern only yourself and those nearest and dearest. Live so as to
make the very most and highest of the life God has given you,—and let
the tongues wag as they will.
Why bless you, if folks couldn’t talk they would die—some of them. Let
them talk and let yourself be free from care concerning what they
say,—if you know you are acting from principle. Tastes differ. Yours is
as apt to be right as your neighbor’s. Live your own life—only so it be
a brave, true, sensible one—and let the other fellow live his.