Not From Fear…

There are many factors that go into the making of men; and some, such as fear and love, are as different as light and darkness. There is a question as to just how much fear can do in the making of a man. The fear of want may make him work a little harder or, save a little more, but it is doubtful that fear alone will ever make a man amount to very much.

And it is doubtful if you can frighten a man into being good—basically, inwardly, willingly good—any more than you can legislate a man into being good. The law is always there. The actual or potential punishments and penalties are always in evidence, but men still engage in all manner of lawlessness, despite the fear of penalties and punishments.

A child who is afraid of his parents may put forth some constructive effort to please or placate them, but he doesn’t develop into the man he might be simply from being afraid.

Fear may prevent some things, indeed, many things. And it may be the reason for some kinds of accomplishment. But to be at his best, to do his best, to develop his best, a man must be running after something rather than merely running away from something. He must have the incentive to succeed—and not merely the fear of failure. Thus the positive approach to teaching is the one most richly rewarding, with hope, encouragement, love, incentive and assurance.

Life is an opportunity. It is limitless and everlasting, and happiness is the end and object of it, here and hereafter. To hold out to a man the assurance of eternal life of everlasting association with those he loves, of limitless and everlasting progress and possibilities, combined with peace and a quiet conscience—all these offer so much more work for than simply the fear of failing. And we should live good lives, not from the fear of what will happen if we don’t but for the joy of what will happen as we do—because keeping the commandments of God gives peace, happiness, good appetite, good conscience, and a wonderful assurance.

We should be what we should be and go where we should go and do what we should do, not from fear, but because that way leads to happiness and peace and progress.