Des Arc citizen., 1866-04-28
For the Des Arc Citizen.'1
 EG0TISM.

sa. EG0TISM. aaa asla
 From its etymology or derivation, ego tism means like the optativa mood or mid dle voice in the Greek grammer, what one does for himself the pronoun. I, is the prominent or efficient agent in every un. dertaking. We have heard it expressed thus: Big l, and little you" (u.) Did you ever see any one whom egotism was. very fully developed 1? Ifso, you have a clear definition practically given. The phrenologist regards it as the result of pre- dominating self esteem. The fatalist re- gards it as fixed constituent element of him or her in whom it is found to prevail We regard ii. as the growth of a neglect ed or uncultivated portion of the human brain, just as an i'll weed springs up and develops itself in some uncultivated or neglected spot of a garden or nursery But in many heads or groups of organs, egotism stands out prominent, as the sun flower among pinks and violets-it is ever attended to and cultivated to the neglect of other and nobler manifestations of the human mind. Many yield tacitly to the influence of egotism, or as some term 1t, self esteem. In snch, it manifests itself in various forms of development. In q  military commander, it is the worst species of tyranny or despotism. I In a school teacher, it is the same self willed master. In feligion, it shows prosecuting, intol- erant bigot--I am always right, and you are always wrong. In apolitician, it is the same uncompromising, self constituted standard of perfection; all are wrong who differ from him with whom there is but one stand point, one political observatory and he stands on the apex or pinacle, and claims to see and understand every posi- tion and point, and to call into question any dogma or political tenet of his, is as the sin of witchcrait.
 In ethics. or morals, the egotsst is a Pharasee, ready to thank God that he is not as as other men-he finds fault with all your acts and doings, and lays down rules and pfecedents whose source and au- thor is the great /. In matters of public enterprise, he steps forward and claims to
 rHrH y s shape the action and mould the policy of ether men, and like the Romish Vatican, or him that wears its ermine, claims anfak iJility in all he suggests or dictates Ii you choose to differ in opinion, sentiment or feeling from him. you incur his dis pleasure or enmity, and may prepare to re- ceive the contents of his artillery, unstint- ed in measure and ferceness. If a failure attends the efforts of men in any well meant enterprise-you hear the egotist ex- claim :" I knew it. I told them thus and so." But if success attends the enterprise then YOU hear him exulting in his pres cience or gift in foreknowledge-"l knew it would succeed, I always said so." The egotist has clearer optics or vision than oth- CT men, he can always see the mote in his brothers eye, he has an aptness M dlscov- ering the errors and foibles of his fellows, and even boldness in naming them and condemning them. He is affected with hely horror on seeing others do wrong, or even hearing of the short comings of his fellow beings-but never dreams of being
 in error himself-he critieises on all sub l iects, all professions and all creeds, and is painfully grieved that men are so ineorrl- gibly stupid and dull, he is sorely vexes that men don't come to himand learn les sons of wisdom. He is grieved that men continue to stumble and blunder along in their attempts at business, seemingly ig- noring him., astonished that they do moi come to him as they did in ancient days tt Solomon, with hard questions. @
 Such in part are some of the character istics of the egotist, and few of us car claim entire exemption from it. By yield inc. to it we become its slaves, but by con
 uuering and overcoming it We gain a greaf
 victory over ourselves -one of mans no
 blest achievements.