Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-08-13

CoNTENrMEST. Men are more apt 70
consider what they have lost, than what
they possess; aud TO fix their attention on
those vino are richer than themselves,
rather than on those who are under great
er priVations. The real pleasures and
conveniences Of life lie in narrow COM
pass. 1t is true, none can be called pro-
perly rich, who have not more than they
want. But a superfuity Of wealth by no
means increases our happiness. The en-
ioyments of riches are experienced in
their most genuine state, by those per-
sons vino are placed by Providence, in
the middle rank of life; and this arises
from the habits they acquire of frugaliiy
and economy. Persons Of higher rank
frequently live in kind of splendid pow
cry, and are perpetually in want, because
instead of being satisfied with the pleas
ures oflife, they cndeavor TO outvie one
another in show and appearance. Men
of sense have at all times beheld with a
great deal of mirth, this silly game that
is continually playing. and by contracting
their desires, enjoy all that secret salts
faction which others are always in quest
of. The truth is, this ridiculous chase
after imaginary pleasures, cannot be suf-
fciently exposed, as it is frequently the
cause Of poverty, misfortune ana ruin.-
Let a mans estate be what it may, he is
a poo: man if he does not live within it..
In short, content is equivalent to wealth,
and luxury 10 poverty; or, to give the
thought more agreeable turn, "Contenl
is natural wealth." says Socrates; to which
we may add "Luxury is an artificial pov-
erty.H An excellant saying OF Bion, the
philosopher, may be recommended 10 the
consideration Of those who are always
hunting after superhuous and imaginary
enjoymenis, and will not be at the trouble
of contracting their desires, namely,
"That no man has SO much care, as he
who seeks after the most happiness"
There is a conscience of the head as
we'll as Of the heart, and in old age we
feel as much remorse, if we have wasted
our natural talents, as if we had perverted
our natural virtues. The profound and
excellent satisfaction with which a man
who feels that he has not lived in vain
that he has optailed on the world an heir
loom ofinstruction or delight-looks back
upon departed struggles, is one of the
happiest emotions Of which Jfne con
science can be capable. WHIT, indeed
are the petty faults we comalit as ind
viduals, affecting but narrow circle, Cea
sing with our own life. 10 the incalcula
bic and everlasting good We may pro
duco as public meT, by one book or by
one law. Depend upon it, that the Al
mighty, who sums up all the good and al
the evil done by his creatures, in jus
balance, will not Judge the benofactore
Of the world with tie same severity a,
those droues of society who have no grea
servicesto show in the eternal ledgers al
a set.9tfto tho indulgence Of their small
vices.
When abroad, men appear TO the bes
I advantage but when at home. their mind.
arc in perfect undress deshabille. The
world is a theatre, on which they act q
part; but behind the scenes they may be
seen in their proper persons, without any
studied appearance: our domestic behav.
iour is, therefore, the main test Of our vr.
tue and good nature. Our good and i'll
breeding is chiefly seen abroad; our good
and i'll nature at home.