New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-08-08
WANTS VERSUS NEEDS.

can Ego it alone It will be euchred.
WANTS VERSUS NEEDS.
An inability to appreciate the diferenc.
between needs and wants, and to decide
for ones self which is which, is one of thu
great evils Of the present time. There ii
| lack of simplicity and self reliance il
the majority Of people which makes then
slaves to the opinions of others, and sub
jects them in almost every detail of life te
a rule which they have neither made fol
themselves nor cheerfully adopted. What
they shall eat and drink and wherewitt
they shall be clothed, what kind of 8
house they shall inhabit and how it shall
be furnished, with whom they shall asso-
cia:e, even what they shall do for a liv.
ing-all these things, personal enc~sh
one would think to be left to private j. G.
ment, are nevertheless subject to a social
code controlling their villa code admin
istered by prejudiced prosecuting attor-
neys. irresponsible juries and an invisible
judge.
The needs Of human nature. civilized,
even cultivated human nature, are few
compared to its wants. Simple. palatable
fare, shelter and clothing adapted to the
climate, and gratifying as far as circum-
stances permit to the taste of the indivi-
dual concerned (not to that of his neigh.
bor). these, with chosen occupation,
some recreation, and satisfaction for the
affectional, social and esthetic nature,
constitute all that the simple mind really
Graves. Compare them with the multi
farious demands imposed by fashion-by
the foolish desire to seem richer or greater
than We are.
For instance, certain boy has passion
FOX mechanics; he likes to be always
making something; spends hours looking
with interest upon mechanics engaged at
their work, handles their tools and wishes
he could use them. Books are o WEAKNESS
to him unless, as ne grows older. he gets
hold Of such as treat OF his fayorite en-
Payments. He has distaste fog history
and contempt for classical studies,
it matter of very little import
ance 10 us to know whether s'the Beauty
did really cause the BOBBY to be blown
up o, not, and absolutely loa:hing the
details of the Filthy loves of gods and
yoddesses. In spite. however. Of his
decided tendency for mechanical pursuits,
his parents, being in certain position"
Is the saying is, resolve 70 make lawyer
IF him: in doing which they spoil
! good workman and make q
poor lawyer. i certain man is
II hospitable nature and would
ike to have guests at his table frequently;
out he does not live in what Lis wife calls
tyle. SO his social impulses are checked,
md much genuine pleasure is absolutely
ost. Anothe IA contemplativc turn.
nd detests miscellaneous company; but
cells compelled by his position to give
timers and large evening entertainments
0 people whose society affords him no
whatever. As for women.
heir wants are legion so long as they see
ny chance of their Qualification: but JUS.
ice to the sex demands the admission |
hat they are usually willing to modify !
hem when convinced that their satisfac. |
ion would be hindrance to the man
hey love. No inferior motive, however.
as any influence with them. and woman
4 the normal state. recognizing practi-
ally the difference between a want and !
need, would be raro auis indeed.
So it is likewise with politicians They
ometimes want places without feeling !
ny special call to do the kind Of work
emanded by them; they want to keep
themselves before the public, when what
hey really need is season O; retirement
nd study Of the principles they profess
, advocate. Authors. and actors, too,
ften want fame, but need the genius
'hich commands it; soldiers want pro-
rotion, bat lack desert; nearly everybody
ants more than he needs. and thinks be
esds all that he wants.