The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-11-14
HOW FEW KNOW THEMSELVES.


1t is common, infrmity with human oa,
ture 10 denounce in others, errors aud
shortcomings. acts CT omission or commits
sion. to which all are more or less liable,
and which the very complainants would
have committed or INDUCED under similar
circumstances. 1t is an easy thing, COM
psratively speaking, for q man to be correct,
rigid and upright. who is compelled thereto
by the necessities of the case, or who is moi
placed within the reach of tempte'ion.-
There is little merit, for example, in ,ae
temperance of an individual, who has nevor
Teen thrown into gay society, WHO has o
constitutional dis,atc for all that intoxicates,
or who has been trained from early youth 10
avoid as little less than poison, the inebri-
a,ing bowl. And so, too, with many other
weaknesses or vices. In order to Judge Of
ourselves and of others fairly and justly, we
should AXE all the circumstances together,
the disposition. the education, the society,
and the temptations generally. Many men
become dizzy by prosperity. and from q
very excess Of spirits and generous feelings
fail an easy prey Others ore the victims
Of credulity. They ore played upon by
the spccious. the able, and the beguilng,
and are thus won to ruin. Let no one as.
suhe 10 himself superior powers of moral
resistance. Lot no one who has not been
subjected to the fiery ordeal. imagine that lie
could resist this species of fanatcism, or
that of social Indulgence. Let no one in
mere arrogance and self concci', cherish the
delusion that he is the sole master OF HIM
seIf-,hat he understands all his folIIcs and
frallties, that he can curb and control him.
self under any and all circumstances-and
that he has therefore no reason to appeal to
a superior power. The wsest sometimes
commit frighlful errors, while there does not
breathe throughout the length and breadth
Of The world we live in, an individual, be he
high or low, so self-poised, clear-minded
and rrue-heurted, Us TO be beyond the reach
Of temptation in all cases-the temptation,
we mean. not only Of honor, and Of power,
and of otluence--but Of feeling. passion.
prejudice, taste, habit aud enjoyment. 1t is
therefore that due degree Of llberali'y and
forbearance should be exercised, when ad-
vertlng TO the mis- steps. the delusions. the
downfall Of others. And ys; the wcrlt,
generally speaking, is sadly disposed to
pronounce harsh and rash judgments. The
id. Of to-day, if in the enjoyment of power.
is lauded and fattcred in thousand furms.
Bu. loppe him from his position, take from
him his magic wand Of influence, reduce
him down 10 the common level. and ussoci.
n,e with his nume, some error, weakness,
or delinquency fruit, perhaps, Of spme
sudden and trying moment of temptation,
and the very men who before bowed, fawned
and cring6d before him, we're proud of his
acquaintance, and gloried in his position,
arc alas! 100 often among the first to rcvie,
,ssai and cxuggcra'e his error. They
spring upon him with all the fury Of ingruti'
ude. and seem to G loaf over his downfall
md his ruin. They do not pause to discov-
'r pnliatives or explanatons.tbut, IN the
contrary, affirm that they "Iong suspected
,im, and that he has only realized their
lie is condemned and
denounced, and the bitterness Of his position
$ rendered still moro wrelched by the
ne Ian choly fact to which VIC have adveried!
Alas! for tie hea art tlessness Of tho worId!"
True, there are exceptions-noble, generous,
md mugnanimous; but they are few and far
between.