The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1876-01-08
IrreSOlution.


which appeared in a recent issue of
the Philadelphia Ledger, has attracted
our attention as possessing sound rea-
sonlng on a very common falling
among business people. We make
the following extracts:
"Ihere are few conditions of mind
more painful 10 endure, and more fatal
to efficiency or success, than irresOlu-
lion. Most of us can recall occasions
when we have been thus afflicted,
hesitating anxiously between two
opposite courses, preterring first one
and then the other, as their several adj
vantages present themselves, becom-
ing each moment more confused and
uncertain, and, though vexed and
ashamed of the delay, yet utterly una
BILE to end it by decision. We may
be happy, if such a condition is rare
and exceptional with us: if our usual
habit is to think deliberately, decide
resolutely, and act firmly.
"The irresOlute man is continually
wasting energy. The power that
should be economical for action he
consumes in anxious alterations of
opinion. Does he propose a journey,
a business enterprise, or some change
i'll his mode of life, he is torn with
conflicting thoughts as to its desirabili-
| ty. The inducements to carry it out
appear in glowing colors, and he
| thinks his purpose is settled; then
possibilities of failures and fears of
disappointment bear on him so strongly
| that he almost renounces it. Again
convictions of its benefit press with
renewed force, and oscillates most
painfully between the two courses, not
having sufficient firmness either to un-
dertake or relinquish the enterprise.
| Meanwhile the delay itself frequently
settles the matter: the time i'm which
he might have chosen for himself
| passes away, and he is forced to
ACCEPT what fate has left him without
any reference. Directly the power of
choice is removed, all the advantages
of the opposite plan rush upon him
with tenfold force; he is sure that that
| would have been his selection had the
opportunity been prolonged; and con-
sequently, acting upon compulsion,
without heart or faith, and indeed,
against what he now thinks his better
Judgment, his failure and his dis
content are both insured. In the
smaller details of life, this irresolu-
ton, if les disastrous, is even more
vexatious and annoying. To waver
about trifies, to hesitate, and doubt,
and balance probabilities upon every lit
tie matter that presents itself for inn
mediate decision, is a lamentable waste
of power, distressing to ones self, and
irritating to every looker-on. 1t is
better to make some mistakes, we
should all declare, than to thus con-
| stantly lose time and force in debating
the pro and con of each petty action.
GA habit of self dependence is one
| most important ingredient in resolute
character. He who, either from incli-
nation or the force of circumstance,
has always leaned upon others, can
hardly be expected to show much ener-
gy in decisions, or much infexibility
of purpose. 1t is just here that free
dom becomes SO palpable a blessing, Civ
ing to every man and woman the OPP
portunity for acquiring selfreliance
that nothing else can supply.
1t is perhaps hardly possible for one
who has attained maturity with vacil-
lating, irresolute nature ever to become
a decided andresolute character Still
there are various degrees of this valua-.
bic quality, and it is within the power of
each individual SO to discipline himself
as to strengthen and increase it. A
thoughtful survey of every important
subject on which we are called to de-
eide is necessary to this end. There is
time for deliberation as well as for
action, and when the former is crowd
ed into the latter wise decision is i'm
possible. All aids to this end should
be warmly welcomed, not as props to
support our weakness, but as means to
correct our Judgment. The infexibil-
ity that refuses to receive such aid and
only seeks to enforce its own will is OBJ
stinacy, not decision. When, however,
we have brought all foreign helps into
connection with our own Judgment,
and have thus formed the best conclu-
sion we can in the time allowed, we
must, as far as possible, dismiss further
consideration and proceed to immedi-
ate action. In the less important de-
tails of daily life we shall not greatly
err in forcing ourselves to an immedi-
ate choice, though we may still ques-
ton its wisdom. This selfcompulsion
will be most salutary. especially if we
cultivate the habit of revising our act
ions with a view to avoiding in the flu
ture the mistakes into which we may
have fallen. "-iScientifc american.