Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1874-09-09
UNPLEASANT DUTIES.

'H UNPLEASANT DUIIES
Probably no one ever fully estimates
how many of the dsappointments,vexa-
tons and failures Of life are due to the
habit of shrinking from unpleasant du-
ties. II is not glaring conspicuous
fault, which at once draws the condem-
nation of every good person and bears
the Impress Of its own folly; it is q
secret, insiduous, subtle evil that sheds
silently, but surely, it's poisonous innu-
ehce oil through the life of him who
harbors it. The forms it takes are
numerous, the methods Of its operation
are various, the motives il uses TO hide
its true nature are countless. Selfish
ness may blind one to the perception
Of his obligations, or character hard
ened by crime may openly defy and
disown them; but this practice of
shrinking from duty, because it is disa-
grccable, is Of an utterly different char
actef from either 1t is often associ-
ated with clear intelligence, good in
tentions, sensibility, refinement, and an
amiablc disposition. There may be a
distinct perception Of what il right, and
a sincere resolve to fulfill il, and yet,
as the imagination dwells ON tho posi-
bic contingencies, and spreads before
the mind in exaggerated colors the diff
culties, embarrassments dangers or an
noyances that may attend it, 1t is at
first procrastinated and finally relin-
quished, not with any distinct resolu-
ton, but rather with a feeble relaxing
of the will power, and drifting with
the tidc of present inclination.
Perhaps there is not one who is
wholly free from this defect, though
the ways in which il shows itself are
so varied that it often escapes recogni-
ton. More than any other fault docs
it hide itself, even from our own con-
seriousness. When we avoid duty, or
break promise or defer an obligation,
a hundred excellont reasons instantly
occur to us to plead in justification; but
which of us will say, even TO himself,
-I onght to have done it, ! could have
done ii, but it was unpleasant, there
fore | neglected it2" Yet probably
nine times out of ten this is the true
cause Of such direlictions. II is Just
this secret and insiduous quality that
causes this defect TO spread rapidly and
checks oil effort TO exterminate it,
When any fault is brought TO the light
and openly acknowledged, the first
step has been taken to cure IL. But
when we carefully conceal il from view,
and even refuse to look upon II our
selves, il will take root in our charac-
ter and develop in our lives.
This drifting away from what is disa-
greeable is fatal to success wherever it
may lurk. Nothing worthy of accom-
plishment can be performed without
trials, annoyances and perplexities. If
we have not force of will enough to 90
through them, il we have not patience
to bear them, or courage to overcome
them, failure is inevitable The sue
cessful man Of business is he who flinches
not under the daily vexations and irk-
so,"e saa e,as..o,s ou.s w 90 ,a;na 90 d;scorn and
force of will to pursue the straight
path to success, and knows that the
.a.u,o mau nosnr,oanae Of ouch dntv in lis
appointed time, whether pleasant or
disagreeable. A merchant of this city,
whose business arrangements, though
LARGE and complicated, were noted for
their calm regularity, was once asked
how he contriyed to prevent all confu-
sion. and to have his own time SO free
from interruption. He replied: "In
planning nv work for each day, both
| for myself and others, / always endeav-
or TO arrange to have the most disa-
oreeable duties performed first There
was much sound philosophy in this
system. The longer we put off what
is unpleasant the harder it becomes to
do. and the less probability there is of
its being accomplished. The courage
and seit.control which faces all the
most disarreeable parts of a life-work,
and performs them with ready alac-
rity. are lust the qualities that will en-
sure success in any undertaking. Un-
der such treatment they lose half their
irksomeness, while if they are dreaded
and procrastinated they grow more and
more terrible TO the imagination.
7, ;snot only the labor of life that
oTors dift;cplt and rennlsive tasks 10