The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-03-07
DISCUSSING THE FAULTS OF
OTHERS.

II 10 natural for men and woman to SIT
In Judgment upon each other. The criti>
tical faculty constitutes a part Of the men
tai fnniturc ofihe least intelligent. and
can no more bs represse,l than thought
itself. We ars weighed and labeled by
those who know M, and the badge of our
character we carry eonspicuoasly dis
played, though we may bs 90 vain n to
think We can hide our real self from OBJ
servation.
IL 10 we'll, perhaps thAt We are con-
scieus Of the activity OF this critical feel
ing, fr Il plays an important part in our
asif-culture, by putting . certain restraint
upon our conduct. For whatever our
theory Of virtue, We are none OF US lalf as
bad rs we might be-. n we did not fear the
scrulinixing gaze of our fellows.
But this critical habit Sometimes bes
comes so deeply seated; aud h SO abused.
~ TO make IL great cure. By IL friend
ships are disturbed, enmities awakened,
and life-long misery produced. II is
exercised often from what 10 supposed 10
lie the most benevolent Of motives. Il am
q plain-spoken. candid man. my friend
says, Il must tell that person just what
think of hini;' and he proceeds to find his
victim. and ON the plea Of friendship be.
begins bis mercils.s attack. His criticism
may be just, By that authority does he
trample upon the feelings Of another, and
drivs dsggsrh b. his hearth
The best Test by which TO judge ofsuch
q course of conduct, 10 thu result that
would follow IL Il became univeral. For
any principle OF action. n 10 safe 10 ssy b
erronsous, which cannot bear broad and
unrrutricted application. 1t requires no
very keen perception, certainly. to dis
cover what would becolne of society flour
.candid" friedd's diclnm we're the guide
Of aii; for since there is not one So fault
less that he would nor come In for share
Of personal and impertinent crnsure. there
would follow ss the result OF this universal
uplifting Of every mans voice against his
fellow, an utter demolition OF the social
fabric. Yet ifone man h entitled TO rum
rougl,-sliod over another, in his neal 20
Tell him his faults, % have all The same
right.
II cannot be affirmed thst no one, even
from the best Of motives. is 1t liberty 10
exercise his critical faculty as he plssses,
upon the character or scls of his fellows.
The parent himself snot clother with
such authority over his offspring thai he
can ignore the child's righ 10 have bis
feeling respected. even when reproved.
The abuse Of critical habit b productive
of TIE greatest evil, In the sphere of tie
sociefy gossip. The trouble does not be-
gin wtcn, In the free intercourse Of daily
life, . man tells . friend his opinion Of
anothsr's character or conduct Thus Car
ouly nm irreprrssible instinct has been
graiiiisd. For with our opinions OF each
other formed and ready for uss. they are
sure 10 bs declared. But when the con.
fidence, In which personal judgment has
been rendered, . violated, and the friend,
thoroghtlessly, or with malicious intent,
plays the pare ofa tattler a. soon a. he
can find the sar of the one criticised, then
the wrong ID done which bring with IL
alienation, bitterness. hatred, and an
endless train of evils. A more dishonor-
able breach of good faith cannot be COM
milird than when the sacr~dness Of this
which we rrpose Ia one another In
ordinary ints.csune 10 disresard.d. The
insensibilily which prevails ON this sub
ject among those know as very respvc-
table people Is Astonishing. II Is tile duty
Of every member of society 10 cultivate
delicacy of perception Respecting those
points Of social honor in which centre all
lhat b srssrntial 70 gu,d Fellowship.
Youth 10 ths vernxi season OF life. aud
the blossoms Il then puts forth are indi-
cations Of Ilios- future fruits which are 10
be gathered fruits which are 10 be gathered
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