The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-02-16
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THINKING WELL.


THINKING WELL.
Among the many arts which should be
sedulously taught and earnestly studied,
the ait of thinking well should stand pre-
eminent. Everybody thinks; it is an in
mental process that comes with
the first dawn of intelligence, and contin-
ues through life. But to think well is
rare art. Most of our thinking is desul-
tory, wandering and confused-a sort of
liter of things, good and bad, useful and
useless, without arrangement, plan or
purpose. Good thinking always has an
aim; it is straight path to truth. 1t
longs to grasp the realities of things and
chooses the nearest way.
Happily this is something forced upon
us by necessity. A man must earn his
living or provide for his family, and must
therefore think, on this subject at least,
as quickly and as much to the point as
possible. His thoughts thus spurred on
arrive at definite conclusion and be-
come embodied in useful action. For
the time, and as far as his powers will
permit, he thinks we'll. Or he is posses
sed with an intense desire to acquire
something or to accomplish something.
He thinks diligently, carefully, persist
emily upon the means to be used, the
plans to set in motion, the instruments
to employ. Such thinking is usually
followed by success. If there is pract-
cal power of action, and external circum-
stances are not wholly adverse, success
is insured.
Most of our thinking, however, bears
an entirely different character. We wan
der over the ground, pleased, perhaps,
with the daisies beneath our feet, at
tracted often by beautiful landscape
around us, amused by passing objects
but, having nowhere particular to COVE
follow no definite goal. We think for
instance about oui domestic life in
general way. We each wish for happy
household, orderly habits, intelligent
children, harmonious relations. But we do
not think clearly or Systematically upon
the principle which govern all these
things; we do rot patiently study the
needs of child-nature, the methods of
creating happiness, order, economy and
the many elements that combine to form
comfortable domestic life. 1t may be
said that there is no time for this. Posi-
bly,, yet the same amount of thinking
that We give to it, in a useless way, i'll
vain wishes or fault finding, or irritable
complaints, or fruitless regrets, if en-
ployed well and directed well and direct
far forward improving what we now
weakly deplcre.
So, also, we think III a feeble and aim
less way about society, with it's evils and
dangers and possible advantages; about
the duties of citizenship and philanthropy
the poverty and crime which surround
us, the nature of our government and
the way it is conducted, the claims of
justice, the various reforms that are pro-
jected and enterprises that are estab.
lished, and similar things Of public in
terest. Nothing comes of it. either in
the way of conscious knowledge to our
selves or valuable action to others, SIM
ply because We do not think clearly, def
nitely, or to any real purpose.
nF 81 .xl@ . Foe
quently the accompaniment Of our read
ing. Our eyes wander over the subject.
We have not disciplined the mind to
think well upon the authors meaning,
to apprehend it keenly, to Judge it dis
creetly, to discover its tendencies, to ad-
mire its beauties or detect it's falacies.
We may float with the author OF away
from him, but it is simply floating; We
do not ply the oar or guide the helm.
We do not acquire real knowledge in this
way, even though we may reao the most
truthful book OF converse with the wisest
man. knowledge must be earned, it
cannot be passively taken. Unless the
mind works for its living, it will always
remain poor; neither gifts or leSacies can
enrich it. To think clearly and well is
the first step to knowing anything, and
Until that has been taken all others are
useless. Equally in the work we per-
form, in the business We manage, in the
various duties of domestic social and
political life, and in the knowledge we
gain or the opinions we hold, is this art
of thinking well essential.
1t may be objected that were this art
practiced life would be too
fatiguing for endurance. This is, how
ever a mistake. The man who walks
round and round without an object is
not less but more fa,igued than the one
who walks with firm step, the same DIS
lance, to reach given point. Thought
is always busy, and whom it ouly moves
in useless circle it is more wearisome,
because more uninterestiug, than when
it marches with steady and elastic tread,
to the goal of knowledge. The habit of
well is of itself not fati.uing,
but full of interest and pleasure. 1t
draws out the powers into natural exer-
else, and enlivens the mind with tie
hope of some definite result. Even iu
hours of recreation the well trained
mind is active, not passive, and the rest
It Graves consists in the change of sub
ect, hot in the cessation of thought.
The busy man who turns to enjoy ma
5ure in ride or a sail, or art in a pic
,ure gallery, or human life in somss wv
scene, will be more, not less, re iI1HeG
f he can bring healthy and we'll tram
ID mind to examine, appreciate and I'M
lerstand the objects around him. Much
If tue failure Of voc atoms and the dis
appointment of leisure comes from the
labit of thinking well only upon one
subject.
1t is true. time and powers are very
limited at the best, and will uttery fail
q do full justice to any, much less to
Ill, Of the numerous matters or ques-
ions all be met with d sincere desire to
ealL and to know, and, if we can only
ouch a subject; it may be an intelligent
nd a firm touch that shall reveal tous
omething of its nature and qualities.