Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-09-20
THE FEAR OF R1p1ou1E.

& <66 SG
Among the various motives that influ-
ence US SO largely for good or for evil,
none is moro constant in its exercise, or
more powerful in its effects, than the
fear Of ridicule. Deep down in the ma
ture Of every man 10 an earnest desire
to be approved by those with whom be
associates, and the knowledge of their
displeasure rarely, even in the most in.
dependent natures, fails to create pain.
But the pang that follows the disap-
prevail Of others is not 50 keen as that
which is caused by the scornful smile
or the sarcastic sueer, and even aversion
is easier to bear than contempt. This
natural dread of ridieule has its ralu-
able side. This it is which checks &C.
eentrieities, which sets limits to FASH
ions, which encourages polite manners,
and which prevents the open expression
of many evil and unkind thoughts, feel
ings or i%uclinations. As every emotion,
whether good or bad, is strengthened
by u~tterauce and weakened by silence,
the benefit of any motive which serves
to repress the outward exhibition Of evil
is manifest. So far, then, as ridicule
touches only what is unseemly, eItrav-
agant or injurious, we may rightly
allow our natural dread of it to infu-
erce our conduct. But, unfortunately,
it is not only upon such things that its
power is welded. Too often it be-
comes, in the hands of the unpriuci-
Piled, n weapon of the most potent evil
and in proportion to the keenns'' OF its
shafts, is the amount of poison it con-
veys into the hearts and morals OF a
community.
Especially to the young, who are the
most seusitively alive to its influence, is
its power often fatal. Feeling their
weakness, and naturally reaching after
aid and craving sympathy, they are apt
to lean so heavily upon the pillar oil
human opinion that they forfeit their
own u~prishtne's of soul. The compsu'
ions whom they in their inexperisnce
choose, or who through Circumstance:
cross their path, are often such as re-
verse the true scale of excellence
placing the body above the mind, and
the mind above tho heart. Strength
and activity, wit and geniality are ad
mired and esteemed far above stric'
integrity aud high moral principle
Natural talents gain a favor that sole
perseverance, aud energetic industry fi
to secure, and are often most warml,
priced when employed in the service o
folly and sin. How many a youth, ope'
to good influence, has been sunk to tn
level Of the worthless and vicious, sim
ply by the dread Of their sneer and tn
fear Of their contempt. How many
young man, innocent in knowledge, Blu
weak in principle, has been urged OF
little by little to sacrifice his integrity
to sully his purity, and to steep hi
whole nature in the depths of sin, sim
ply because he could not brave tn
laugh of derision that would hav,
greeted his firm adherence to right
Many and bitter are the struggles t
forget a parents loving counsels, t
overcome ~yirtuous affections, to harder
conscience, that spring from this fea
of ridicule. Yet those who exert thi
powerful and baneful influence are tn
last to whom any would SO for comfor
in distress, for help in sickness, or 70
sympathy in affection. They are il
reality the selfish, the mean, the unfeel
ing, who, having accomplished tn
moral ruin of a fellow creature, will
when calamity overtakes him, leav
him uuaided to struggle or to sink.
Though the dread of ridicule doe
no, always lead to such fearful lengths
yet few, if any, are wholly free fror
some OF its evil influences. 1t afford
so natural, easy and insidious an excus
for derelictions in duty, that we use
often unconsciously to ourselves. Muc'
of the exaggera,ion and equiyocatioI
that lead by inseusible degrees to diree
f%alsehood; much Of the e%Itrayaganc
that threatens %dishonor; much Of th
failure to reproye boldly where dut.
demands it; much of the hypocrisy tina
degrades mankind, owe their origin t,
this debasing fear. It is not to b,
overcome, however, by a mere appre
citation OF its evils. No single effort o
the will can free US from its influence
Every evil is best vanquished by cher
ishing its contrasting virtue. So if W,
would efectually free ourselves from
the chains which the dread Of ridicul'
have thrown around Us, we must erect
higher standard Of excellence than mer'
human opinion; we must cultivate firm
ness, stability and courage; we mus
become worthy Of our W self-respsct
we must learn to stand alone in con
: scious integrity; and, when our heart
crave, as they will, human support ant
sympathy, we must lean only upol
those who, themselves climbing tn
rugged paths of virtue and self-denial
are ever ready TO extend a helping hant
to others.
NOTABLE DEATHS IN FRANcE.-Thert