The Question of Quitting…

Besides the more or less “normal” reasons for restlessness, we are all well aware that there come at times additional causes of uncertainty and indecision that confront young people. Of course, every generation sees the difficulties of its own day, and in any unsettled situation it is sometimes difficult to decide whether or not to return to school and settle down to serious studies. Often, circumstances seem to suggest giving up prolong preparation and satisfying immediate demands. But one of the great lessons of life is to learn to appreciate the privileges of the present and to have faith in the future. And one of the great characteristics of youth is to have the courage and the faith to face the future with faith.

But sometimes young people quit without real cause to quit. Sometimes they quit from sheer restlessness. Sometimes they feel that they must have more money⎯and they quit to “work awhile.” Sometimes they think they will stay out “only this one year.” And sometimes they sacrifice permanent possibilities for immediate demands.

Time goes so quickly, and a year in which one simply succumbs to restlessness is a lost year. Every unessential interruption breaks the pattern and habit of study and adds a penalty to preparation.

Of course when unavoidable interruptions come they must be met, but may we suggest to you who are young: that you settle down and make the most of your period of preparation despite difficulty and discouragement, and prepare as far as you can for the long pull of life and let no superficial or unessential interruption dissuade you from your serious pursuits⎯for no matter what the future may hold, the best prepared people will be the best prepared to meet it.

Beyond the sincerely essential interruptions, they best thing you can do for yourself, your country, your family, and your future is to settle down and pursue permanent and worth-while purposes and make yourself as capable and competent as you can.