The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1866-08-09
IFor the jackson Standard. ]
Mistakes.

mafly dD GIIOI vi ttlO HOau hA9 DSSIA $3.50
taken for an error Of the heart. Human
nature is bad enough, but heart burn
ings would be saved five would recog'-
nize not only the possibility, but the
probability of numerous mistakes
Why should we insist on the infallibllity
of hunnan calculationsa Why act as if
every man were in duty bound to nave
preseience of all events when we ought
to know that he cannot? You may talk
about fate as an iron band aboHt our
lives; you may speak Of the divinity
(the fate, the poet means perhaps "that
shapes our ends rough-hew them as we
;" but there is something ia human
life that appears very much like a per-
sonal responsibility that demands the
exercise of human Judgment AT any
rate, we have yet to see the man who
has folded his arms in resignation to
fate for bread and butter for any great
length of time. And we have yet to see
the man who never inserted a wrong
figure in his life calculations. We be-
lieve every man needs an auditor, more
than human, after his most careful cal
culationS
Itis hot necessary for the failure of a
mans life that he make great mistake;
a very small one may produce great
failure. An apparently harmless mis-
take may lead to a great wrong A
trifing opportunity neglected may pre-
vent a great success. All these are tru-
isms; yet their illustration every day
amid the Vicissitudes of human lite fails
to attract the attention of many. 10
estimate the probable result of single,
little mistaken other words to be
careful-seems to be the most difficult
undertaking of thousands. They will
study to learn the most difficult rules for
the conduct of life; they will overhaul
the most wonderful theories; their axi-
oms of life will be arranged with mathe-
matical precision; but they make no al
lowance for mistakes in calculation,
either by themselves or others. They
expect their rules to work; and that is
all. They stubbornly refuse to look
over their figures. The possibility Of
making a mistake in the adoption of a
rule is not for moment thought of.
The general theory of a mans life may
be correct; yet amid his many liabilities
to err, or the vulnerable points Of his
Judgment, any day may reveal the result
of some, at the time, unnoticed mis-
takes. Indeed, real mistake is never
noticed at the time it is committed. A
mistake, properly considered, is what a
person does or thinks unconscious OF its
improperly, or expecting different re-
suit. A good man cannot be conscious
of making a mistake which is Injurious
to his fellow men, He may be repre-
hensible for carelessness; but if he were
aware Of the injurious tendency of a
word or action, it is not mistake---lt is
deliberate wrong.
Consider, if you please, some OF the
convenient uses of the idea of mis-
take. The honest man or the rogue
may use teach does use it. Some
times the rogue escapes on the plea OF
mistake, and sometimes an innocent
man does not receive the benefit of the
probability Of one. 1t is we'll for us to
be skilled if we can in detecting mis-
takes. We often hear such expressions
as 81 cannot be mistaken" and sit cer-
tainly is a mistake;" but this is often
mere talk. Men notoriously careless OF
reckless often use the forms; and very
incredulous persons sometimes give
rogues the benefit of an unreasonable
doubt, while they employ the latter.
LAWYERS make "mistakes' in wills and
legal papers which afterward turn up in
court. Witnesses are cross-examined
turned over and over until they are
confused, and consequently, mistaken in
what they saw with their own eyes.
Mistakes, technically called errors, are
rectifed in higher courts, and fees are
increased.
Point blank lies are told and spbse-
quentIy softened down to unavoidable
mistakes. Unavoidable truths are YET
avoided as mistakes. A liar isrrebuked
suauter IN mode by "You are mistaken
sir" .F, ......g.e
Military men seldom make mistakes
Their blunders are all strategic. A
bloody retreat is called o "change o.
base" A move that a fool makes
which happens to be successful-a mis-
take turned to advantage by chance
makes a General; and the gallant sol
dier is brevetted after the war.
A man makes mistake in the begin
ming of his life, and knaves torment hin
until his dying hour. Another made
mistake yesterday, and to-day he get
no credit for splendid Judgment. To
morrow, it may be, he will be mistaken
again, and the world will say he isright
The world gets puzzled by the rapi(
transition of truth and folly. A man
having detected three mistakes yester
day, being increased in wisdom,'pro
nounces false judgment on four truth
to-day, The general course of ON
mans life is good, yet he is cursed TO
one mistake; another mans life is bad
vet he is Landed to the skies for one &C
cidental success. So loose is the calcu
lation of men.
If there were no human mistakes thi
world would go right on to perfection
. | rpL:, ,,ooiJ 81 to thair nlacns