, 1853-05-14
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Simplicity Of Greatness.

We have often been led 10 observe that
The pervading characteristic of genuine
greatness is humility. The truly great man
is never presumptuous nor ostentatious.-
With all bis wisdom there is no pedantry /;
with all bis virtue there is no prudery; with
all bis wealth there is no bOasting display.
His speech is simple as wise his life un-
assembling as pure and bis habits all
marked By plainness rather than by preten-
sion. The innate nobility of the truly great
mind scorns the pomp and pretence which
pass for greatness with the vulgar and un-
discriminating multitude. The practised
dignity Of men-the studied preciseness Of
Ipeech-ths decOrum which seldom smiles
The gravity which never jesis-thesc pal
pable indicates ofassumed greatness, are held
IN contempt by the truly great man. Ho is
always simple and natural his language
unadorncd, and his manners unaffected =
Not the laborcr in his poverty is more
humble-nor the unlutored child in his pu-
riy more unconstrained. No man is be-
meath bis love and sympathy and he fears
no abasement from association with those
whose social rank is less conspicuous than
his own. In his intercourse with his fcl
lows, he never betrays consciousness of
his superiority. He has a reverence for
virtue in rags, and quick discrimination Of
worth in obscurity. His veneration for a
manly character is impulsiyely shown, but
he has no respect for the condition of birth
and fortune, and no toleration for that
mushroom greatness which grows out of il
lustrious mems graves, or for that which is
more willingly recognized, springing from
crowded Golfers.
In the worlds estimate of men, the pre-
tensions Of ignorance, and the opinionative
pride Of little learning, pass for more Than
The unostenIatious requirements Of knowl-
edge, and the effrontery Of conceit wins the
distinction due 10 shrinking merit. The
world should remember that much pretenee
Is The infallible sign Of little possession /;
and that the elements of greatness in human
character spring up beneath the shadows Of
life, and shun tue glare in which arrogance
thrives. The person who by genius or
shrewdness, or good fortune, has attained a
position above bis ftllow men, and socks
constantly 10 impress upon observers the
immeasurable distance between them and
himself, however great his eminence, is de-
void the highest attributes Of great man.
He has not the inbom nobility which is sat-
ished with a, sense of IFS own existence /;
the magnanimity Of spirit which is above
the vanity of eclai, tho gentleness of
heart which shrinks from inAiciing pain, or
awakening envy in bis humber fellows
The aristocrat who suffers his wealth 10 be
barrier between him and less fortunate
humanily, however respected, is but base
minded egotist. The scholar in whose
wisdom is drowned his sympathy for the un-
letiered world, is more profound in his re-
search than in his understanding The
man into whom is born a great soul, can
never be separated by wealth from the
poor, nor will learning raise him above an
acknowledgement Of bis intimate relations 10
those favored with less degree of mental
cultivation. The quality Of his greatness
which adds grace and splendor TO more
brilliant attributes is bis unaffected simpici
Y and freedom from pride - To- tsri
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