The Placer herald., 1858-06-12
Reliability.

We have more than once alluded to the
Importance of reliability as feature of
character, The subject is one that cannot
be too frequently discussed. Scarcely weel,
goes by, without fearful illustrations of the
folly, nay, the crime of unreIisbility. This is
especially the case with the Young and the
inexperienced. They have little knowledge
of the world, and they act throughout, loose
ly and rsshly. They forget that they have
to win for themselves name and a reputa-
tion, aud thus they trifle W tn their word,
they neglect their engagements, and they
violate the truth The consequences are
lamen,able. An individual who begins life
in this way, will soon become distrustcd sus-
pected, condemned, and despised There is
nothing like reliability in friendship, in bust
transactions of life. Let this important fea-
ture of the mind and heart become firmly
established and the sautarv effects will be
seen in a thousands ways. A few years since
an individual on commencing business, had
occasion to ask a favor in the form of a lean
of few hundred dollars of friend 1t was
granted, cheerfully granted, and at The exp
ration Of the appointed time, 1t was return
ed. Some months after the Young man be
:..---l-eA eli ht o,,tunt md folnl
it extremely difficult to extrirate himself lie
represented all the facts frankly aud without
disguise to his former friend. who immedi-
ately protfered assistance, stood by and sus-
tanned him. The result was, that he passed
through the fiery ordeal, and is now in a
highly prosperous condition. The friend,
when the second application was made to
him, awaited himself Of the opportunity to
give a word OF advice He said that he had
found him true to his first engagement, and
therefore reliable man, and he ha,! faith in
him. But, be continued, "if you had failed
on that occasion, or had even dubbed or
eqni, ,ocated-l would have suspected your
integrity, and have governed myself accord
ing BE admonished, tEereftre, in all your
future transactions. Never deceive one who
has befliended you--never impair confidence
that is cherished-never. if possible, violate
an engagement" And this is the real phiIo
sophy, not only of commercial life, but of
all the transactions between man and man.
The individual who is not reliable can never
be trusted on any occasion. He is his own
worst enemy and will often deceive himself.
Many persons are in the habit of postponing
the discharge Of duty from day to day and
from week to week, because the task is pain
full. Thus, even if from absolute necessity,
they are compelled to delay the payment of
loan, or to violate an engagement, they
neglect to seek out the party aggrieveG and
tell the whole truth. They this attempt to
evade or avoid the responsibility, whereas
they only deepen the injury ant make the
matter worse. All are liable to disappoint-
ment and misfortune, and it is impossible at
all times, to control our actions But we
can at least explain the matter as fully and
clearly as possible, and thus exonerate our
selves from any wiful or wanton violation Of
duty. This is ever the case with the reliable
They feel sense Of their responsibility, and
they would not commit anT act calculated
to weaken the confidence that is felt In their
honor, intelligence and character. How
broad is the contrast with the uncertain, the
evasive, and the unreliable! They can be
depended upon at no time and under no cir
cumstances. They are ever willing to pro
mise, but rarely ready to perform. They
labor under some moral obiquy of mind.
They cannot appreciate the power and beau
ty of truth. They faiter and fail, when they
should be firm and resoute. They can be
depended on at no time, at no place, and
under no circumstances. Their moral con
stituton is defective, and they not only an
noy others, but they injure themselves.
The force and beauty Of reliability cannot
be too highly appreciated. Without it the
human character is sadly defective. Noman
can be honest who is not reliable No man
can be truthful who does not keep his en-
gagements and fulfil his promises. How
many cases Of ruin have been produced by a
violation of this virtuel The most cautious
are liable to be deceived once-nay, twice
But thereafter they will avoid the unreliable
as utterly unworthy, and never to be depen
ded upon. The error, too, prevails widely
Its real character and its evil effects are not
sufficiently recognized. The trfling, the In
consistent, the unsteady, and the infrm Of
purpose, are among the unreliable. So, too
| ~ Al .10J hA IN