Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-03-26
Starting In Life.

The first great lesson young man should
learn is, that he knows nothing. The earlier
and more thoroughly this lesson is learned
the better A home-bred youth, grown up
in the light Of parental admiration, with
everything to foster his vanity and self-es-
TEEN, is surprised to find, 'and often unwill-
ing TO acknowledge, the superiority of other
people, But he is compelled to learn his in
significance his arts are ridicued, his blum.
ders exposed, his wishes disregarded, and he
is made to cut very sorry figure, until his
self-conceit is abased, and he feels that he
knows nothing.
When young man has thoroughly COM
pretended the fact that he knows nothing,
and that, intrinsically, he is of but little
value, the next lesson is, that the world
cares nothing for him. He is the subject of
no mans overwhelming admiration neither
petted by the one sex, nor envied by the
other. he has to take care of himself. He
will not be noticed till he becomes notice
able; he will not become noticeable until
he does something to prove that he is of
some use to society. No recommendation
or introduction will give him this, or ought
to give him this he must do something to
be recognized as somebody. There is plenty
of room for men in the world, but there is
no room for idlers. Society is not very par
ticular what man does, as long as he does
something useful, to prove himself to be
man but it will not take the matter on
trust.
There is no surer sign of an unmanly and
cowardly spirit, than a vague desire for
help-a wish to depend, to lean on some
body, and enjoy the fruits of other peoples
industry. There are multitudes of young
men who indulge in dreams of help from
some quarter, coming in at convenient
moment, to enable them to secure the sue
cess in life which they covet. Thus, one of
the most painful sights in the world, is that
of a young man with strong constitution
and presentable figure, standing with his
hand in his pockets longing for help. There
are positions in which the most independent
spirit may gracefully and gratefully receive
assistance-may, in fact, as a choice OF
evils, desire it; but for man who is able
to help himself to seek help from others, is
positive proof that he has been unfortu-
nately trained, and that an indolent bias ex-
lists in his character Let us not be misun-
derstood. We would not inculcate the pride
of personal independence, which, in its sem
sitiveness, repels the good office of friends.
What we condemn in young man is the
habit of dependence which makes him anx-
ious to accept as favor those things which
he might readily acquire by his own indus
trial exertions man who willingly re-
ceives assistance, especially if he has ap-
piled for it, invariably sells himself to his
benefactor, unless his patron happens to be
a man of sense, who is giving absolutely
necessary assistance to one whom he knows
to be both sensible and honorable.
When a young man has ascertained the
fact that he knows nothing, and that the
world cares nothing about him, that his sue
cess in life must depend on his own exer-
tions, and that he must look to himself, and
not to others, for assistance, he is in fair
position for beginning life. The next lesson
is that of patience. A man must learn to
wait as well as to work, and to be content
with those means of advancement in life
which we may use with integrity and honor.
Patience is one of the most difficult lessons
to learn. 1t is natural for the mind to look
for immediate results. Let this, then, be
understood at starting-that the patient
conquest of difficulties which rise in the
regular and legitimate channel of business
and enterprise is not only essential in Sc
curing the success which young man seeks
in life, but essential also to that preparation
of the mind requisite for the enjoyment of
success, and for retaining it when gained
1t is the general rule, in all the world, and
in all times, that unearned success is curse
1t is rule also that the process of earning
success shall be the preparation for its con
servation and enjoyment. So, day by day
and week by week-so, month after month
and year after year, work on; and in that
process gain strength aud symmetry, nerve
and knowledge, that when success, bravely
and patiently acquired, shall be yours, il
shall find you prepared to receive and tc
keep it. The development of all your men
tai and moral qualities in the brave battles
of life will amply reward you for the struggle
1t will help to make man of you, and give
you not only self-respect, but the respect oi
your fellows and the public,-Seiected.