The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-01-19
Golden advice to the Young.
Bv DIR. wITHERspooN.

By DIR. WITHERsPooN.
But have further 10 view {, recommend
to you oil, without exception, iiic Of dbl
Igence and application. Avoid slolh as
dangerous enemy. Fear ii, hate il, and de
splse II. |, is common saying, that men
do not know their own weakness bu, i, is
as true, and a truth more important, that
they do 10, know their own strength. de
sire that you receive the following inform
alton from me, which, dare say every
person OF judgment and experience will con
tirm-lhat multltudes of persons Of moder
ate capacity, have been useful in their gen
Grafton, respected by the public, and success.
tul in life, while lhose OF superior talents b
nature, by mere sloihlulncss ond idle habits,
or self-indulgence, have lived useless, and
died contemplate. There is also, dlspo.
sl,lon IN young people, which YOU know |
have often set myself to oppose, to think the
loose irregular iolles, aud sometimes even
VICIOUS Liberties, are sign OF spin, and ca
pacity. The very contrary is the truth
IL requires no genius al all to do mischief.
Persons Of the greatest abilities have gen
orally been lovers OF order. Neither is
there any instance 20 be found OF mans
arriving at great reputation or usefulness
be his capacity however available, without
industry and application.
Suffer me here, in particular manner TO
recommend to you a frnness Of mind, and
steady perseverance,, as of the utmost mo
eutto your progress and success. What
ever q mans talents from nature may be,
If he apply himself 10 what is no, altogether
unsuitable TO them, aud holds on with stead
mess and uniformity, he will be useful and
happy; but If he be loose and volatile, i'm
patient OF the slowness of things IN their
usual course, and shifting from project 10
project, ne will probably be neither the one
nor the other.
am somewhat O, q loss shit TO SAT- n.
20 character aud reputation; yet ii IS so i'm
poF,ant point that II must not be omitted.
True religion should furnish YOU With a
higher and nobler principle to govern your
ronduc', than the drsITe Of applause from
men. Yet, NJ suborduaiion TO what ouch,
10 be the grea, purpose Of life, the uppro.
baton of the Supreme Judge, there is a
Just and laudable ambition TO do what is
pralse~or;hy among men. This ought not
10 be exilngushed IN the minds Of youth
being powerful spur and incIlement to yir
iuous and Illustrsous actions. A truly good
man viii seek no praise bu, by homes, means.
and will be superior even TO disgrace itself,
II brought upon bin by an adherence 10 n.
Jnty. Yet he will also be tender, and care
iul not to give lusi cause TO any TO lnipeach
his conduct. Ii | might be permitted to
direct your views upon this subject, would
say, consider that your character IS already
beginning 10 form. Every step YOU take
further IN life, will both ascertain and spread
Il. lou ought also to be informed. tina,
notwithstanding oil the hockneyed com.
plants Of The Partially and ceusorlousness
I Of The world, mans real CT .rncter. in
I po'n. Of ability, Is never mistaken, and bu,
seldom 10 point OF morals. That there arr
many malicious and censorious persons |
agree-but lies are not half so dutabla ne
truth There IS an implrtiali,y in a dlf
! iusise public, which will show itself where
means oil Information are afforded, There
tore reverence the judgment Of mankind
without idol'zing II. BE as cautious as DOS.
sIble TO do nothing that deserves censu,e
and as little concerned as possible what r..
proaches may fall upon you undeserved.
1t IS not a contradiction, bu, perfectly con.
sistent, to say man should be tender and
even jealous of his character, and vet no,
greedy Of praise. There is an amiable,ess
and dignity IN the first, but a meanness and
httleness in the last.
Another advice, near akin to the last, ia
do as much as you can TO deserve nraise
and YET avoid, as much as possible, the hen,
ing OF IL. lhIs IS but another view oc The
same sublect-uud that it NAV be more se
ful, and my intention in it more manifest
will extend II 10 both praise and disnra,se
when you como INTO public lie. and no.
come the objects Of general attention ou,,d
not only against fishing for public applause
ana beng inquisllIve after what people ,h,oL
or say OF you, but avoid know ino !, IA rnch
as you decenIly can. MY reason "a, ,b;s
~, That whether YOU will or M, con In
near US much Of The ISLANDERS Of your emo
mes Us you viii bear with patience. and "a
nuch Of the fattery Of your fricpd. o. ~
crested persons, as you will bear with bu
,"ul'y' Therefore, prepare yourself for
b9ih, but seek for neither. 4,