River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-04-10
Selt-COnfidence.

All human power, IN order to be
available, must be associated with GER
tain degree of self-confdencc. Many a
timid child postpcnes his first attempt
at walking simply because he lacks the
courage to exercise an ability which he
fully possesses; and many man let's a
noble scheme and grand enterprise fall to
the ground from the same cause. Vanity
and self-conceit are such disagreeable
characteristics. and so frequently accom-
pany such an inferior grade of knowledge
and power, that in justly visiting them
with contempt and apprehension we are
disposed to forget that there may be an
opposition extreme of self-deprecation
and distrust which may paralyze efforts
and render latent poser utterly useless.
There are some who never seem to be-
lieve themselves capable OF anything;
they see others press forward to attempt
TO achieve, and shrink back into 3 de-
spC ndent inactivity. Having no faith in
themselves, they undertake nothing, and
effect nothing. If they are convicted of
some fault or bad habit, they have so lit
lie hope of being able to cure it that
they scarcely make an effort. If some
avenue of usefulness and honor opens up
before them, they draw back, almost
sure that they should not succeed, and
decline 10 enter. If some duty presses
urgently upon their conscience, they try
10 quiet its prompungs by pleading in
ability. Thus their lives pass away in
uselessness, their faculties do net devet-
cp, their characters do not improve, their
abilities are wasted, they owindle into
inaignificance, and all, this not fer the
Lack of power, but tor the
want of confidence ana courage that
would set that power into good. practical
working order. There are certain
obstacles in every path that can only be
overcome by the presence OF this con-
fdtnce. There are outward hindrances
to encounter, opposition to meet, diff
culties TO surmount, prejudices to sweep
aW&y, the very presence of which will
terrify and appall the wavering and DIES
pondent, while they will melt away
before the firm dignity ofselt-respect and
There are, also, the innumer
able obstacles from within, inclinations
TO curb, passions to restrain, desires TO
guide, temptations to resist; these also
need not only the power to deal with
them, but q confidence in that power that
can alone make it effective.
How then Is this much needed quality
to be acquired? With some, doubtless,
it is Unborn, and as natural as the breath
they draw. 1t is seen in the firm step,
the erect carriage, the determined eye
there is no shrinking from difficulty, but
IN eagerness to cope with it; no pleading
off from duty on the ground of incapac
itv, but a full reliance on the ability to |
peri I'm it. Sometimes, indeed, this |
may be exaggerated, and an overestimate |
Of self may tinge the character with CON
eeit; an extreme to be equally avoided. |
The evils of the extreme, however, should |
never blind us to those of the other, and |
a true self-c0nfidence is perfectly con-
sistent with true modesty. He wh0lkn0ws
his own power and believes in it will be |
likely also TO know its limits, and we
usually find that the Boosting and as
which is 50 offensive to good |
taste, proceeds rather from desire to |
impress others with an exalted opinion |
ct self than from any dignity and we'll |
grounded self.reliance.
Much may be doue for the young in |
TOO chary in praislng and encouraging |
their efforts, too tree in criticising ana |
them. Many child's pow
ers, in various directions, are thrust back |
ilto inactivity by the cold, unapprecia- |
tive reception they meet with. Children |
quickly adopt the sentiments OF their |
elders, and soon learn to put tue same |
value on their own powers that Others |
do The parent, the teacher, and the |
employer can easily teach lessons of self !
which may cling thrC Ugh |
lie, and forever prevent the development |
af powers thpt under more favorable au- |
spices might have proved blessing TO |
the community. Or, on the other band, |
by cheerful encouragement and whole
some commentator, they may nourish |
many tiny germ Of ability and talent |
that may one day come - be mighty
influence in the world.
Constant and persevering effort is the
best cure for an unhealthy self deprecia-
tion. He who thinks that he can accom-
plish nothing, and makes no endeavor,
will soon destroy whatever abilities he
nav possess; Incidence and self-dispar
agement 90 nand in hand and act and re-
act, each on the other. But noble aims
and steadfast industry will give traer
estimate of self and its powers, and thew
in their turn will rapidly develop and
improve under the sunshine of firm and
well-grounded confidence. Activity is
the essential condition of growth, and
growth is the only sure token Of life and
power Philadelphia Ledger.