Emerson wrote in one of his essays: “I am ashamed to think how easily we capitulate to badges and names…” It is undeniably true that we often accept things for what they seem to be on...
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...
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....
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...