Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-05-07

THE PRACTICAL MAN

The practical man is one of all others,
who knows just what to say and do, and who
says and does it. He always comes to the
point, regardless of rules or forms. He sees
just how to suit the word to the action, and
the action to the word; and the right word
and the right action come and produce their
effect.
While others hesitate he strikes and the
work is done before they have decided how
they would do it, He is always doing, but
does only what needs to be doue, he IS al
ways learning, but learns only what he can
use. His world is real, and not soft bed for
ease or dreaming.
Ii he makes speeches he tells people what
they ought to know; if books. he fills them
with useful facts or practical truths; if he
be worker, he makes things for service and
not for show.
He is no machine, bat live nan With
perception and force peculiarly his own; and
be has an inherent energy of character
which brings everything around 10 his way.
He is never at lossy bat everywhere takes
his place. and SO well does he act his part
tnat all men acknowledge that he vas made
for it.
He has that clear perception, and that
prompt, steady, and determined purpose
which produce efficient action.
His will can not be banked; for he has only
to see that thing must be done, and his on
ly eoncern then, is how; it never occurs to
him that he can fail
His ends are real, and the means he uses
precisely adapted 10 promote them; SO that
he certainly secures and actually enjoys the
object for which be labors. He takes hold
of life with a firm grasp, and wrests from it
the good which he finds in it. He does not
whine because he is not better off: but sets
about making himself SO. He does not en-
Wy those who are higher, but climbs above
them, if his place is there.
1t is his ambition to accomplish positive
and proper result, and not to make show /;
so that pretension is his especial dislike
He thinks 40 more of the thing he has done
than the thing known5 mere Of the power
than of the name 10 do. He talks be-
cause he has something to say, and not
fer tire sake of talking; and lives for pur-
pose, and not because he does not happen
to- die. He is no foot ball of men or circutn-
stances, but himself plays with vigor and
wins the game of life.
He consalts stility in all things. Money
to ese, house 90 live in, laad to till, clothes
to wear, yictuals to eat, horse aud wagon
for riding and carrying things-nothing for
the mere sake of having it, or of lettiag 9TH
er people kBow that he has i.
He will do the proper thing if ii be agree:
able, or if it be not. He judges men by the
force and qualify of their character, and not
by their appearance. IF ran does this or
that which he says he caus lee hin to do it;
bat he has ne sympathy with dfeamerS.
Efficient doing, he thinks, IS the ehsef end
of man; and all kheviege which does not
lead to this he deems worthless. He regards
the world as great workshop, and those
who sccol.., .nlish nothing fcr The general good
as drones unworthy any liberation.
Let them work, and thus sas u 'ne f's''s 70
i've.
In short, the practical man possesses 6. -
sense, aud with this he makes rules better
than any he finds in books; for the shortest,
plainest, and surest way of attaining his OBJ
ject is the best for him.