American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-11-16
Contentnent,

| OOuUOnbIuOuGt
The reason why, comparatively, so few
of mankind are truly happy, is, that in
stead of taking little trouble to search
out the secret OF true happiness before
commencing the search, they at once be-
gin the pursuit by rushing blindly on to-
wards some darling object which enlists
their feelings, the acquisition or posses
sion of which to their imagination is the
sun,mum Joaum of felicity The great
est good is, to their minds, comprised in
the qualification of their selfish wishes.
Happiness is the aim of all mankind; it
is the prospective state which each indiyid-
ual is endeavoring in his own way toreach,
yet how mistaken the path which is al
most universally chosen.
True happiness must be found in ones
own bosom. The foundation of it must
be laid by diigent and persevering cul-
tivation of spirit of contentment under
all circumstances and in every vicissitude
of life. 1t is in vain, in this chengeful
and trying world, to build upon any 9th
er foundation. Contentment is really de-
pendent upon no outward circumstances
If we cannot find it within ourselves, uni
versal experience has proved that it is to
little purpose to seek it elsewhere. If
discomfort is fostered in the heart by the
indulgence of a fretful spirit under every
adverse circumstance, it would make no
difference, though fortune lavished its
choicest iavors, and gold came down in
showers this world would be desert
whereas to the poor cottager, who tolls
for his daily bread,in whose bosom reigns
a spirit of calm peaceful reliance upon
Providence, and holy resignation to his
will, this world is fair and lovely Even
where life is so crowded with burdens that
it seems no longer desirable for its pos
SCISSOR, it may yet be esteemed for the
blessings it is capable of bestowing upon
others.
How then shall this inestimable bless
ing this sweet spirit of contentment un-
der all the accumulated ills of life-be
procured? The first and fundamen ia
requisite to its attainment is, to cultivate
a spirit of patience; Or in other words a
spirit of resignation to the Divine will.
Impatience under any circumstances is
warfare against Providence, and to mur-
mur against natural events, is to afront
Him. 1t is fancy, not the reason of
things, that makes life so burdensome to
us.
One of the most distinguished traits in
the character of Socrates was tranquil
ity of soul, no misfortune, no injury, no
i'll treatment could ever disturb: and as
it is supposed that he was naturally of
hasty, passionate temper, his mildness and
calmness were the effect of his endeav-
ors to .subdue and correct himself In
this he exemplifed, by his conduct, the
important truth that the passions give en-
ergy to character, and the conquest OF
them gives dignity. Epictetus, one of
the most renowned of the heather philoso-
pliers, reduced all his philosophy to two
maxims, viz: tosuffer evils with patience,
and enjoy pleasures with moderation. He
compromised it in two words" Bear and
forbear." Ariosto had an inscription
over his doorin Ferrara, in these words
para sed apta mihi," small, but sufi-
cient for me.
There are few situations in life in which
every thing can be brought to coincide
with ones own wishes, consequently the
causes of discomfort and unhappiness are
innumerable and the illsof life keep most
persons always tossing on the tumultuous
pillows of dissatisfaction. Poverty an
noys many; the cares and vexations of
wealth trouble others. Some are groan-
ling under the shafts of SANDER. Many
fear bad name, but few their consciences.
Plato says" when men speak i'll Of thee,
live so asnobody will believe them" which
is truly the best method to be pursued
for the defence of character, and more
convincing than volumes of eloquence.
Various ideas have been formed respect
ing the true nature of happiness, both in
ancient and modern times. Indeed per-
haps no word since the creation of man
has ever been made to answer to so many
different meanings. This simple defni-
ton, however, seems to cover the whole
ground. Happiness is that state of fe-
licity in which there is nothing to be
desired.