A Step at a Time

Most men resist sudden change. But there are ways in which tremendous changes can come, almost without our being aware of it. By small steps we may arrive at the same destination, which if we had suddenly been brought there, we would ruggedly have resisted.

A step at a time is a well-known technique. And often those who advocate objectives which they know would meet with determined resistance if they should attempt to go all the way at once, are content to arrive at the same result, step by step.

Many things are accomplished a step at a time⎯both good things and bad things: for example, few men suddenly acquire a habit. They acquire habits first by trying something the first time, and then by a long and repeated and persistent process, which ultimately is just as complete as if it came all at once.

Men have often been led into accepting slavery of one kind or another, a step at a time: the slavery of habit, of custom, of comfort, of convenience, and of other kinds also. The road to most things lies along this course: a step at a time. And while each step in any direction may not of itself seem to be important, any step in any direction is important.

Before ever we take the first step, we ought to look where we would arrive if we were to take the second and the third, and all the rest that were to follow. And we shouldn’t take the first step even if it is comfortable, or convenient, or attractive, or enticing, if the ultimate end is something which in principle we are or should be opposed to.

Any trend in our own lives, in our own homes, in our communities, in our country⎯in our world⎯should be appraised not only for what it is at the outset, but also for what it could be at the other end. We should never walk blindly and irresponsibly toward any destination. Whether it be in matters of personal habit or private venture or public policy, we have the right and the responsibility to know where each step tends to take us, no matter how small the steps are or how easy they seem.