Pressure and Procrastination December 18, 1949
We wouldn’t change the giving of gifts or the festivities or the feasting. We wouldn’t eliminate the lights or the trimming of trees or the fond conspiracy about presents of the...
The Conduct of One Hour December 11, 1949
There is an old oriental proverb which reads, “The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour.” Sometimes it may not seem to be just and fair for such...
Precedent Is Important, But-- December 4, 1949
Suppose that someone who needs something approaches us for some service⎯a service that is reasonable and honorable and easily within our reach. And suppose that we hide behind the actual or alleged...
Turning Down Dares November 27, 1949
For some unexplained reason it is sometimes supposed to be embarrassing not to do what someone else dares us to do. But why should it be considered smart or courageous or commendable to do some...
Thanks--for Such "Simple" Things November 20, 1949
One way of finding out how much we have to be thankful for, is to give up some of our blessings and see how grateful we would be to have them back. Consider for a moment just one seemingly simple...
Fear--and Failure November 13, 1949
It would be interesting to know how many worthwhile things we could have done and should have done that we failed to do because we were afraid. We sometimes assume that we are more afraid than other...
Children--and Time November 6, 1949
It is quite common to hear comment and concern about the weakening and waning of home influence and discipline. It is not unusual to hear parents complain that they have tried...
Is It Fun to Be Fooled? October 30, 1949
It has been some two centuries since Thomas Gray wrote this sentence: “Where ignorance is bliss ’tis folly to be wise,” thus perpetuating a much-quoted phrase on a...
On Escaping Penalties October 23, 1949
Dangerous Delays October 16, 1949
Things that are done too late don’t count. At least, they don’t count as much as things that are done when they should be done. Time is an element in everything we do⎯and it often runs...
Things We Have to Leave to Time October 2, 1949
If we were to call for self-confession, we might well have a large showing of hands from those who have sometime planted seeds but who couldn’t wait for shoots to show above the surface and so...
Criticism of Criticism September 25, 1949
Of all the cants that are canted in this world, thought the cant of hypocrites may be the worst, the cant of criticism is the most tormenting.” Perhaps we can all echo these words of an...
On Remaining Unchanged September 18, 1949
Be Wary How Ye Judge September 11, 1949
It is high tribute to say of any man that he is just in all his judgments. And it is higher tribute to be able to say that he is generous as well as just in judgment. Ungenerous judgment is an...
The Importance of Principles September 4, 1949
Every man should have a set of sound principles to which he can turn when any proposal is presented to him. When people have a sound and accepted set of principles, the everyday decisions of life...
On Returning to the Pattern of the Past August 21, 1949
We sometimes waste too much of the present in waiting for the return of the pattern of the past. Much as we may wish it were otherwise, things are never again exactly as once they were. And whatever...
On Being at Our Best August 14, 1949
Perhaps most of us give way at times to actions and attitudes and utterances which we would not ordinarily approve in ourselves or in others. But whenever we depart from our most acceptable selves,...
The End From the Beginning August 7, 1949
How Not to Lead People July 31, 1949
Like most stories that are old, this one has been told with many variations at successive seasons: It is the story of the man who was frantically following a crowd that had moved far ahead of him....
Work--and Human Happiness July 17, 1949
There are many sentiments that could be cited on the subject of work. Among them is this sentence by a wit who was wary of work: “I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for...