We Spend Ourselves December 31, 1961
Any passing season is somewhat sobering, for in spending time we spend ourselves. It may be difficult at any particular point to see the direction in which we are moving. And often in uncertainty...
The Words of Christmas December 24, 1961
We have heard the sounds of Christmas; we have seen the sights of Christmas, and have felt the feelings of Christmas, and now for a moment may we mention the words of Christmas − words with which it...
Manna… and Men… December 17, 1961
“If the end of society is to produce the largest number of free human spirits, of generous human hearts, of strong human hands, of pure human homes, of noble human lives,” said an old...
Advice Is Like Snow… December 10, 1961
Among the greatest needs of mankind is that of communication⎯understanding, getting through to people⎯not just words, but meanings; not just phrases, but spirit; not just speech, but heart. So many...
Advice and How to Give It December 3, 1961
There is a point of importance in all personal relationships, and that is the how of things as well as the what⎯how things are said and done. Consider, for example, giving advice, which is among the...
Let the Nation Search Itself… November 26, 1961
The theme of gratitude need not−should not−be confined to one day, one week. Thanks are always in season, beyond any season that may be set aside. And so we turn to a wider searching of ourselves,...
One Step Enough for Me… November 5, 1961
“Most of us ” said an eminent American, “are living under a strain that human nature never was intended to bear.” All people have problems, and some days no doubt the...
Heroes Behind the Scenes October 29, 1961
In thinking of heroic people one need not necessarily have in mind the heroes of history. One may think of those who quietly, consistently live their lives, carrying their problems, adjusting to...
Courage Against the Current October 22, 1961
The world is complex. Life is complex. There are many demands upon us all, and we find ourselves needing to know more and more about much more, with less to knowing all we need to know. With so many...
Courage "A Passport to Respect" October 15, 1961
Many years ago, a statesman made these remarks in speaking before a learned society: “The truth is that physical courage has always been the most common place of virtues, …so that it has...
Fear and Faith October 8, 1961
In these times we see and hear and feel, almost from moment to moment, the heartbeat of the world and the impact of its problems, and earnestly we need faith and the solid assurance. “Fear of...
How to Live With Uncertainty October 1, 1961
How to live with uncertainty is an ever present problem⎯the uncertainties which suddenly change plans and prospects. Young men, for example, are sometimes suddenly taken away from pursuing...
Freedom Isn't Free September 24, 1961
The question of the free agency is foremost among the issues confronting mankind at this moment⎯the principle around which revolve the absolute essentials of peace and progress, and of man’s...
Freedom… Force… and Silent Consent September 17, 1961
Men rise heroically to violent threats, to rude attacks, to the sudden show of force, but often seem asleep to slow and subtle slipping. Preoccupation with comfort and convenience, with personal...
The Good, the True, the Beautiful September 10, 1961
We hear frequently the phrase “the good, the true, the beautiful.”1 “Truth and beauty are in this alike,” wrote George Berkeley, “that the strictest survey sets them...
The Truth of What We Do September 3, 1961
There is truth in writing, truth in speaking. There is also truth in working⎯truth in what we do. Honesty, truth, and integrity are inseparable. Though they are words of slightly different shading,...
Neither Lie One to Another August 27, 1961
Truth or untruth is not always a matter of language, but often one of implication, inflection, innuendo. A clever person intent on being untruthful can give a false impression, even with the right...
Truth Is Tough August 20, 1961
Pilate’s question to the Savior of mankind appears ever more important: “What is truth?” Much of the difficulty and disappointment of life comes because we either don’t know...
Books--and the Company We Keep August 13, 1961
Reading, while exceedingly important, is not an objective in itself. We should read for knowledge, for content and meaning, considering the substance and asking ourselves: Who wrote that and why? Is...
Read the Best Books First August 6, 1961
Of all the uses of time, some surely should be taken for reading⎯time for acquaintance with great thoughts, great minds, great men. But what we read is of incalculable consequence, for books vary in...