On Understanding Parents November 11, 1956
After we have left childhood and youth behind, and have taken our places as parents, we understand many things that were not clear to us before. But before we personally face the problems of parents...
In a Period of Pressure November 25, 1956
It seems that most of us feel that we are living n a period of pressure⎯a pressure that seems to be felt at every level of life: the pressure of complexity, the pressure of anxiety, the pressure of...
The Courage to Carry Responsibility December 2, 1956
It seems sometimes that there is less, or at least too little, willingness on the part of too many people to accept real responsibility⎯for themselves or for their decisions, of for the soundness...
The Courage to Live With Uncertainty… December 9, 1956
Each day brings its own news, it sown uncertainties and decisions. Not for any of us is life always or ever altogether controllable or predictable or safe or certain. We all have to adjust to...
The Courage to Face Facts December 16, 1956
In the process of adjusting to life, we all have some problems. And growing up is part of the process and the problem⎯sometimes a rather painful part. As Paul comments: “When I was a child, I...
Fellow Passengers… December 30, 1956
Today we should like to talk about people⎯just plain people⎯people with problems; people with ambitions and opportunities; people who sometimes make mistakes, and are sorry for them; people with...
Within the Walls Where We Live… and Work… and Walk January 6, 1957
Sometimes in the give and take of life we find reason for much misunderstanding, and for anger and annoyance at others⎯and they at us. And such situations frequently lead to feelings of acute...
You May Be Mistaken… January 13, 1957
We often hear the trite expression that there are always two sides to a subject. And one thing that makes quarrels and misunderstandings and differences so difficult to settle is that so often there...
Think It Possible That You May Be Mistaken January 20, 1957
We have quoted from Oliver Cromwell a single searching sentence: “I beseech you…think it possible that you may be mistaken.” Searching men, with searching minds are constantly...
Unfinished Business… January 27, 1957
All of us always have unfinished business. Most of us have unfulfilled obligations. Most of us have unfinished things piled up far before us that always weigh on us and worry us – things we never...
On Reducing a Debt February 3, 1957
One of the very worrisome things that hangs heavily over or heads is a debt that is due⎯or overdue. Paradoxically, it is a worry if we do worry about debt, and it is another kind of worry if we...
The Gospel of Work February 10, 1957
There are many opposing opinions as to what is considered to be success. And while some seek to prepare themselves for maximum service, there are some who seem to dedicate themselves to the idea of...
Work--a Principle and a Privilege February 17, 1957
We repeat, that work is a principle and a privilege, and not merely a penalty. The philosophy of being free from work is a false philosophy and the fashion of being free from work is a false...
Pride--and Popularity--and Principle February 24, 1957
One of the timeless questions⎯one seemingly never settled⎯is: “What makes people do what they do?” Human nature, we sometimes simply say⎯but human nature is so simple thing to consider,...
The Lengthened Shadow March 3, 1957
In the course of a lifetime, a man may himself get a little out of line, and because he was well taught, because of his solid background, because he knows the difference between right and wrong, he...
A Little Latitude… March 10, 1957
There come before us some further facets of the question as to how far can a person safely depart from a principle: How far can he go and still get back when he wants to? At what age is character so...
Our Heritage of Trial and Error--and Truth March 17, 1957
We must learn from the mistakes of others, because we’ll never live long enough to make them all ourselves.” Part of our heritage is the experience of others. Part of our heritage is the...
The Process Called "Cramming" March 24, 1957
In 1866 Carlyle delivered his inaugural address to the students of Edinburgh University, out of his heart and experience, and without a formal talk before him. And from this occasion there came a...
Books Are Like Men's Souls… March 31, 1957
“There are two kinds of books,” said Thomas Carlyle, “good books and bad books…I am not so sure that you are unacquainted, …with this plain fact; but I may remind you that it is...
The Total Effect of the Teacher April 7, 1957
In a single short sentence Thomas Carlyle suggests a searching subject: “Why tell me that a man is a fine speaker,” he said, “if it is not the truth that he is speaking?” To...