The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-05-01
: Philosophy of Labor,

Philosophy Of Labor.
There are many circumstances in life
which compel men to follow occupations
for which they have no natural aptitude
or talent, but it is not the less true that
success depends very materially upon the
choice OF that particular business, trade or
profession most congenial to taste and
ability. AS there are no two men alike in
their mental endowments, it must follow
that each individual is better fitted to some
one occupation than to any other. Some
there are, indeed, who for want of native
energy or tact, will never attain a marked
success in anything they undertake; and
others are gifted with versatility of tai
ent that enables them to accomplish many
different things equally well; but these
are the exceptions, and the great majority
of mankind will do better in the long run
by sticking to some one occupation. The
choice cf this should devolve on the In
dividual, and should never be Arbitrarily
fixed for him, even by his parents So
much depends on this beginning that
whole life time may be wasted by radical
mistake. The boy who would have dis
tinguished himself as an engineer or IN
ventor, may entirely throw away his en-
ergies in the vain endeavor to become
lawyer or a doctor; young men whose
talents fit them for mercantile pursuits, OF
ten spend their time unproftably in cali
ings requiring the very opposite class Of
talents. So of al the occupations of Life,
If men are not at least tolerably adapted
to them, they will not only fail of excel.
lence and fortune, but the toll which should
he a pleasure is WEAKNESS and drudgery.
The true aim of life is not to make for
tune, nor gain renown, though both are;
desirable and useful rewards of well-di-s
rected labor But the greater part and
the best part of life must be spent inlabor,
either physical OF mental, and though many
affect to consider this misfortune, it is.
really necessity, apart from the substan-
tial results that follow it. As proof OF
this, we find men who inherit fortunes, if,
they are Of any mind or character, gener-
ally choosing some occupation, and labor
ing at it often quite as hard as their less:
wealthy neighbors. Idleness is not lux
urv, but rest aiterlabor is. 1t is a serious
question whether those whose fortunes de-
prive them of the usual stimulus to toll;
are really as happy as others who depend.
on toll for living. The toll, however,
to be agreeable, should be congeniaL 1t
is this labor, which particularly dis.
tinguishes Americans, that has led to
so many grand discoveries end wonder.
full achievements in the present century.
When men choose their work Alright they
enjoy it for the remainder Of their lives,
and makes improvements in it that outlive
themselves and benefit posterity. Men.
have distinguished themselves IN the most
humble callings by their own superior tall
cnts, while whole life may be passed in
those fields Of labor, commonly reckoned
the highest, without even moderate sue.
cess. The naturalinfcrence is, that young
men, after having been given fair gene
raj education, should choose, where they:
can, their own pursuits in life; and having
chosen, they should bring all their talents
and energies TO bear upon the calling of
their choice, take a thorough interest it,
and determine to enjoy their work. II In. !
ninety-nine cases oat OF a hundred fortune.
comes to those who WOO her in this practi-
cal and straightforward nlanner.-Ne'o
York Sum-