The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-04-06
IrresOiutiOn.

THERE are few conditions of mindmOre
painful TO endure, and more fatal to
efficiency or success, than irres0lution.
Most Of us can recall occasions when we
have been thus afflicted hesitating anx-
iously between two opposite courses, pre-
Ierrlng first one and then the other, as
their several advantages present them.
selves, becoming each moment more con-
fused and uncertain, and, though vcxed
and ashamed Of the delay, yet utterly IN
able 10 end it by decision. We may be
happy if such a condition is rare and ex-
ceptonal with US; If our usual habit is to
think deliberately, decide rcSolUtcIy, aad
act firmly.
The irrcs0lute man is continually vast
ing energy. The power that should be
economical for action he consumes in
anxious alterations Of opinion. Does he
propose journey, a business enterprise,
or some change in his mode of life, he is
torn with conflicting thoughts as to its de-
STABILITY. The inducements to carry it
| out appear in glowing colors, and he
thinks his purpose is settled; then posi-
hilitlcs of failures and fears Of diSappOint.
ment bear on him SO strongly that he al
| most rcnounCes it. Again convictions Of
| its benefit press with renewed force, and
he oscillates most painfully between the
! two courses, not having sufficient frmness
! either to undertake or TO rciinguish the
enterprise. Meanwhile the delay itself
frequently settles the matter; the time
in which he might have chosen for
I himself passes away, and he is forced to
! accept what fate has left him without any
reference to his judgment or preference
Directly the power OF choice is removed
all the advantages OF the opposite plan
. rush upon him with tCa-lOld force; he is
sure that that would have been his sclcc-
ton had the opportunity been prolonged
and, consequently, acting upon compul-
sion, without heart or faith, and, indeed,
against what he now thinks his better
judgment, his failure and his discomfort
are both insured. In the smaller "details
OF life, this irreSolution, if less DISASTROUS,
is even more vcXati0us and annoying. To
WAIVER about triies, TO hesitate and doubt
and balance probabilities upon every little
matter that presents itself for immediate
decision, is a lamcntablC waste Of power,
distressing to ones self, and irritating to
every IOoker-On. 1t is better to make
! some mistakes, we should all DECLARE than
. to thus constantly lose time and force in
debating the pro and con of each petty &C.
ton.
A habit Of self-dcpcndenCe is one most
important ingredient in rcsolute charac-
ter. He who, either from inclination OF
the force of circumstances, has always
leaned upon others, can hardly be expect
ed to show much energy in decisions, OF
! much inheXihilny Of purpose. II is Just
here that freedom becomes SO palpablc a
I blessing, giving to every man and woman
the opportunity for acquiring IA sclf-re
lance that nothing else can supply.
It's, perhaps, hardly possible for one
who has attained maturity with vacillat
ing, irreSOlute nature ever to become a dc.
Cided aud rcsOIUtc character. Still there
arc various degrees of this valuable
quality and it is within the power of each
individual so TO discipline himself as &c
strengthen and increase it. A thoughtful
survey Of every important subject on
which We are called to decide is necessary
to this end. There is time for dclibert-
ton us well as for action, and when the
former is crowded into the latter a wise
decision is impossible. All aids to this
end should be warmly welcomed, not as
props TO support Our weakness, but as
means to correct our Judgment. The in
hesibility that refuses to receive such aid,
| and only seeks to enforce its own will, is
obstinacy, not decision When, however.
we have brought all foreign helps into
| connection with our own judgment, and
( have thus formed the best conclusion we
| eau in the time allowed, we must, as far
| as possible, dismiss further consideration
and proceed to immediate action. In the
J less important details OF daily life, we
shall not greatly err in forcing ourselves
TO an immediate choice, though we may
still question its wisdom. THIS selfco
pulsiOn viii be most salutai,y, especially
! if we cultivate the habit of revising our
! actions with a view to avoid in the future
the mistakes into which we may have
fallen. PHILADELPHIA Ledger.