Too Much… July 18, 1965
Epictetus left some words on a subject we should like to consider: “See children thrusting their hands into a narrow-necked jar,” he said, “and striving to pull out the nuts and...
One Reason for Restlessness July 25, 1965
One reason for restlessness these days is the expectation of a series of ever ascending excitements. We hear of those who are bored, those who expect experiences always to be more sensational,...
Abstinence and Moderation August 1, 1965
“Abstinence is as easy to me,” said Samuel Johnson, “as temperance would be difficult.” Moderation is a word that has a very acceptable sound, and we might fall into the...
The Fabric and the Flaw August 8, 1965
In a screen play, one of the characters expressed bitter disillusionment because of the supposed prejudice of a judge in whose court a case was being tried. And so this disillusioned person...
The Right Places for the Right Purposes August 15, 1965
We cannot reasonably expect constantly increasing excitement, or an evermore spectacular entertainment. Much of life is simple routine, made up of doing day to day the things that must be done, and...
The Wrong Places August 22, 1965
We have talked about being absent, about staying away from school, from church, from other places where we ought to be, using the excuse that it is to repetitious, that is seems too much the same....
Parting With People Who Go the Wrong Way August 29, 1965
There is a sentence from Abraham Lincoln which says: “Stand with anybody that stands right and part with him when he goes wrong.” This suggests being with the right people for the right...
Work: A Matter of Attitude September 5, 1965
The balance between work and leisure, play and pleasure is always of interest. Precise appraisals appear to be impossible, because what is work to one is pleasure to another, and what is work at one...
Work: A Wonder Drug September 12, 1965
In speaking of work and leisure and play and pleasure, there is this further to consider: that work is essential. Work is essential to survival. It is essential to peace of mind, to health and...
Routine Work: A Large Part of Life September 19, 1965
All of us are sometimes tired, sometimes discouraged and bored with the routine of duties. All work, assignments, professions, all occupations are sometimes repetitious. Not anyone can see the...
It Is Not Marriage That Fails… September 26, 1965
Since marriage is the most complete commitment of all of life’s relationships, it calls, both before and after, for a constant searching of ourselves, and devotion, duty, and discipline. And...
Living the Integrity We Teach October 3, 1965
Time—is so short—so swift! Loved ones—children—are so soon grown up—so soon gone. And soon gone also are our best earliest opportunities to teach them. As Jean Ingelow poignantly reflected:...
Opposition in All Things October 10, 1965
A question asked by H.G. Wells suggests a subject: “What on earth would a man do with himself,” he said, “if something did not stand in his way?” Sometimes when life is...
The Slow-Down Symptoms October 17, 1965
There is a symptom that shows itself in many ways, with some cause for concern. It varies from petty stubbornness to prevailing progress—a symptom of deliberate “slowing down” as the...
He Can Who Thinks He Can October 24, 1965
Long remembered from years back was a book with an intriguing title. The content we do not much remember, but the title we recall: “He can who thinks he can.” It could apply to almost...
The Meaning of Dignity October 31, 1965
There is a word in our language not often talked of, but one of much meaning. The word is “dignity.” In dictionary definition it is associated with character and quality, intrinsic...
Liberty and Law November 7, 1965
“The world no longer has a choice between force and law,” said General Eisenhower, “if civilization is to survive, it must choose the rule of law.” “A free society...
Shrinking Assignments to Our Size November 14, 1965
From an ancient Greek account we recall the story of Procrustes, who was said to cut men shorter or to stretch them longer to fit the length of his bed. This has been cited often as an example of...
I Stood on the Shoulders of Giants… November 21, 1965
This thought comes from an ancient Greek source: “A dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant may see farther than a giant himself.”1 In a sense all of us stand on the shoulders of...
All Else but Dependability November 28, 1965
As recorded in Genesis, Jacob said of one of his sons: “Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel . . . “1 “In any line of endeavor,” observed another source, “one trait...