Oh, Why Do We Delay So Much…? May 14, 1961
After the loss of his cherished companion, Carlyle wrote in his reminiscences: “Alas! her love was never completely known to me . . . till I had lost her. Oh, for five minutes more . . ....
A Foolish Kind of "Fearlessness" May 21, 1961
“Without fear there are no heroes, only fools. Never stop being afraid.” This was said by one young man to another in a hazardous and dramatic scene. The word “fear” has some...
Work a Little Longer… Then Follow May 28, 1961
From Thomas Carlyle we cite these lines on the loss of the most beloved companion of his life—the wife of whom he wrote in remembrance: “Strange how she made the desert blossom for herself and...
Commencement June 4, 1961
There is an old proverb that says, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” This may have many meanings, but we cite it here to suggest that every period in life indeed,...
With One Step June 11, 1961
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” This ancient proverb applies to every side of life, to every decision, to our whole course of conduct and commitment: our choice...
A Word to Fathers--and About Them June 18, 1961
“Looking back,” Roger W. Babson said of his father, “…I cannot help thinking how utterly wasteful of advice children are…. We usually are either too busy or too proud to ask for...
To Those Now Married or About To Be June 25, 1961
The poets have long written of love, in lines often quoted and in songs often sung—songs whose sentiment has given a lift and loveliness to life. But such sentiment does not long endure unless there...
Balance, Moderation, Judgment July 9, 1961
“Whatever men attempt,” said Bernard Baruch, “they seem driven to overdo.” It is true that there are extremes and excesses in all directions and endeavors. Any significant...
Eliminating the Insignificant July 16, 1961
Time is limited, and the things that would take our time are limitless. We need to ” eliminate the insignificant.” We need to be more selective in our choices, more discriminating as to...
A Perspective on Being Busy July 23, 1961
In this prefabricated, prepackaged period, much of what we use comes through machinery and assembly lines, and is so well organized and operated that we are hardly aware of the effort of anyone....
Reaction Time July 30, 1961
Frequently when we become aware of conditions that need correction, we wonder why the people who are responsible don’t correct them. In a home or a family, in a community or a commonwealth,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...