The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-01-26
NJ DDLEBURY REGISTER
II EsDAY, JANUARY 20. 1876.
JUDGE NOT.

Few characters are entirely consist
ent with themselves and none are COM
plete In all their parts. Our ablest and
wisest thinkers have their weaknesses
and follies, and foolish people usually
have wit enough to feign one or two OF
the superficial airs, and perhaps may
really possess some of the attributes, OF
wisdom. So in moral point of view,
the very best men, those who are al
most universally regarded rs among
1.-THE salt of the earth ;" those who are
rightfuliy held as above all suspicion of
dishonesty or dishonor, have moral de-
fects enough to condemn them to etcr-
nal infamy and disgrace among their
fellowmen, If those deficiencies only
we're seen. And on the other HAND, the
vilest criminal upon Gods footstool has
some good qualities which if alone
viewed would give the possessor good
character before his fellowmen. Ac-
cordingly, 1t is evident our estimates Of
individual character are largely de-
pendent upon circumstantlal relations
If our relations touch our neighbor
upon the good side of his character we
may hold him in high estimate while
another person may have come in con
tact with him in relations to disclose
the bad side of his character, and have
only feelings of disgust and hatred to-
ward him If we would only come to
exercise little more charity toward
others, and seek to take broader view
of them than that given by our own in
dividual relation, there would be less
misapprehension of motive, and conse-
ought to be on terms of the most friend
~ relation.
In the first place, it is well to consid-
err n mans pecuiarities of character his
habits of thought, his business or pro-
fession, whether educated to reticcnce
and reserve by the responsibilities OF
his position or otherwise the state OF
his health, his natural temperament
and a thousand and one other little
matters which may have an influence
In the determination of his conduct un-
der given circumstances.
The first and most important rule to
60 by, in the formation of n judgment
OF anyone's character, is to take for
granted that he is acting from the best
ofmotives and with the utmost wisdom
until there Is positive proof to the con
trary. 1t may not always be easy to dc
this, especially if the subject of our
criticism is habitually thrusting his
bad qualities in the public face and as
habitually concealing all his good quail
lilies. But to illustrate. Men of spe-
cialties may have weakness in the
direction a tendency TO air their spe-
clalties on all occasion. Such persons
me apt to be reckoned as conceited, mar
r,w minded, men of one idea. If, on
the other hand, one is "disinclined to
discuss subjects which lie understands"
and refuses TO be wound up like mu
sic box and TO perform his part, as in Il
puppet show, at the beck of everyone,
then, quite likely he may be reckoned
to have secured n reputation he does
not deserve. OF course both these
judgments are incorrect and unjust.
Intolerance of any theory, or idea, or
method, which is not like our own, in
religion, politics, social ethics, or per-
sonal characteristics, often lead to mis-
judgment of character. One may be
a perfect paradox to you, and yet en-
tirely consistent and balanced to some
one else. TO man of precision and
eXactness another may seem too loose
In his business, regardless of his word
and perhaps morally defective. TO the
loosely constructed man, he whoinsists
upon exactness in making change, upon
uncompromising punctuality in meet
Ing all engagements, &c, may seem
hard, cold, selfish.
II is often distasteful to weak people
to be brought into contact with strong
and keeps cool eye upon the means by
which he is to reach it.
Where these mistakes of character
and motive are the result of mere mad
vertance they may be avoided by care
and culture. and to this end we should
apply ourselves. If our mistakes are
tho result OF Il mean envy, or n selfish
cOnceit. it is more difficult to remedy
the evil. Something more than mere
schooling Of our estimates will he nee.
cssary. But the treatment of this
phrase of the evil is not within the
scope of our present intention and We
leave the subject by recommendation
that all feelings of hostile criticism be
carefully analysed and criticised, be-
fo.e giving utterance to them in any