The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1860-05-31
To Young Men Starting in Life.

The earlier and the more thoroughly
this lesson is learnt the better. A
home-bred youth, growing up in the
light Of parental admiration, with every
thing to foster his vanity and self.es-
teem, is surprised to find, and often un-
willing to acknowledge, the superiority
Of other people But he is compelled
to learn his own insignifcauce his airs
arc ridiouled, his blunders exposed, his
wishes disregarded, and he is made TO
cut a very sorry figure, until his self.
oonceit is abased, aud he feels that he
knows nothing.
When a young man bas thoroughly
comprehended the fact that ho knows
nothing, and that intrinsically he is but
Of little value, the next lesson is that
the world cares nothing about him. He
is the subject of no mans overwhelming
admiration; neither petted by tho one
sex, nor onvied by the other, he has to
take care of himself He will not be
noticed till he becomes noticeable; he
will not become noticeable until he does
something to prove that he is of some
use to society. No recommendation or
introduction will give him this, or ought
TO give him this he must do something
to be recognized as somebody.
There is plenty of room for men in
in the world, but there is no room for
idlers Society is not very particular
what man does, so long as he does
something useful to prove himself to be
man but il will not take the matter
on trust.
There is no surer sign Of an unmanly
and cowardly spirit than a vague desire
for help-a wish to depend, to lean on
somebody and enjoy the fruits Of other
peoples industry. There are multitudcs
Of young men who indulge in dreams of
( help from some quarter, coming i'm at
convenient moment, to enable them to
secure the success in life which thev
covet The vision haunts them Of some
benevolent old gentleman, with a pocket
| full of money, box full of scrip,
trunk full of mortgages, and a mind re-
markably appreoiatve Of merit and gem
ius, who will, perhaps, give or lend them
| from one thousand to ten thousand
pounds, with which they may commence
business, and go on swimmingly. Per-
haps he will take a different turn and
send them to college, from which they
will emerge into ecclesiastical populari-
| ty, and rise up to a fat bishopric or
deanery, at least.
One Of the most painful sights in the
world is that of young man with a
strong constitution and a prescntable
figure, standing with his hands in his
pockets longing for help There arc
positions in which the most independent
spirit may gracefully and gratefully ac-
ccpt assistance; may, in fact as a choice
| Of evils, desire it; but for a man who is
able to help himself, to seek help from
/ others, is positive proof that he has
been unfortunately trained, and that an
| iudOlent bias exists in his character
| Let us not be misunderstood we would
not iuculcate the pride of personal inde-
pendence which in its sensitiveness re-
/ pels the good Offices of friends-what
we condemn in q young man, is the
habit Of dependence which makes him
anxious to accept as a favor those things
which he might readily acquire by his
own industrial exertions A man who
willingly receives assistance, especially
/ if he has applied for it, invariably sells
himself to his benefactor, unless his
patron happens to be a man of sense,
who is giving absolutely necessary as
sistance to one whom he knows to be
both sensitive and honorable
When a young man has ascertained tho
fact that he knows nothing, and that the
world cares nothing about him that his
success in life must depend on his own
exertions and that he must look to
himself and not to others, for assist,
ance, he is in fair position for begin.
ming life.
The next lesson is tha. of patience
A man must learn to wait as veil as
work; and to be content with those
, means Of advancement in life which he
may use with integrity and honor Pa
tience is one of tho most difficult les
sons to learn. 1t is natural for tn,
mind to look for immediate results.
Let this, then, be understood at start
ing that the patient conquest Of diff
culties which rise in regular and legiti
mate channels Of business and enter
b prise is not only essential in securing
the success which young man seeks il
b, life, but essential also to that prepara
ton of the mind requisite for tho en-
ioyment of success, and for retaining
/ it when gained. 1t is the genera
rule, in all the world, and in all time
! that unearned success is a curse.
1t is the rule also that the process q
/, earning success shall bo the preparation
for its conservation and enjoyment
So, day by day. and week by week s,
month after month, and year after yea
work on and in that process gai
strength and symmetry, nerve an
knowledge, that when success, brayel
and patiently acquired shall bo your,
it shall find you prepared to receiv
and to keep it. The development Of al
your mental and moral qualities ip tn
brave battle of life will amply rewar
you for the struggle. 1t will help
make a man of you and give you n,
only self-rospeot but the respect Of you
fellows and the public CONSTELLATION
All the great strikes among the Mas