Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-11-04
tFor the Ellsworth American. |
Egotism.

II
tie of themselves. They have disparaging
estimate of their worth and abilities, and are
too modest and cautious in the express ion
OF their views and opinions. They feel diff
fdent and are apt TO appear awkward in
places they could fill with credit and honor.
The world recognizes their reserved power.
and has sympathetic appreciation of their
msgvings, and longs to see them shine With
ease and brilliancy. They would gladly
Welcome as leaders in society these silent,
modest, reserved men Of superior mental and
moral parts, because they live in the atmos-
phere OF, and on level with common men.
and have a too profound and delicate respec,
for the feelings of mankind, and the dignity
OF human nature, TO put others at naught or
in the back ground by magnificent display
class do not push themselves ahead so fast
as others, do not find SO many fat places, do
not find 80 many mountain tops on which
to shine, but when they do come out in
their fullness, the world enjoys the simple
purity and richness Of their ligh, and life /.
There are others who seem to think lust
enough of themselves to make them we'll
rounded and symmetrical. They push them
selves out just fast and jus, far enough to
make no grave mistakes or blunders from
which they do not easily recover; they do
not make themselves offensive by disdain-
ing the opinion or invading the social rights
Of others. II they do no, on the one hand
call out the sympathy Of the world, they do
not on the other hand excite its jealousy
and contempt but generally awaken admi-
ration for the strength and fullness Of their
character. But there Is another class which
we will designate as the egotist. Ego,ism
from ego signifying |, the man who makes
the most important personal pronoun, far
before he, she or it, as the sun is before the
moon in hrilllancy in fact the most important
part Of speech in his English language. The
egotis, is a man who Its at the shrine Of
self and worships. He thinks his own pow
ers Of intellect and qualities Of heart the
ions entitled 10 the highes, consideration.
his own history and exploits the most re-
msrkable, in fact he has continually on his
lips the oil Of self praise. The modest man
seldom ever speaks of himself. and then It is
in a secondary sense. Bot the egotisi ever
keeps himself floating on the tide Of conver-
sa'ion, apparently reslizing that that IS the
only way to save himself from eternal for
ge,fulness.
Just think OF man going among circle
Of friends TO pass an evening IN social con-
versstion, with facts full Of extraordinary in
teres, about himself. he living quiv, and
unaisturbed life among his town-peope.
Il isa pitiabIe plight that one is reduced
10 when he is 80 poor he has no friends to
do him reverence" and has to DO abs own
Dragging" when be is so insignificant that
he las to keep himself continually before the
world 10 be seen and like little Zaccheus
climbs the tree Of conversation lest he be lost
sight Of. Think of man so limited in his
own range OF reading and observation that
he ever feels tempted TO search within his
own door, ard Of experience FOR single item
OF lnteres, OF pearl Of value.
The further one gets away from himself in
sentiment, interest and meditation the broader
and bigger he grows. The hermit who closes
his heart to society,h- mind to the Thoughts
Of others, and his eve to observation has
shut off the resources Of life and begins To
Wither into nothingne.s. So the egotist
grows narrow and small aad weak in the
cell of his own self-conscousness;h grows
dark. because he never admits new light; he
ing because he finds nothing in other. bet
ter and purer to admire; no exotic flowers
brought from other homes and lands adorn
and sueeten his abode. He is poor de-
spised wretch. He brings down the con
tempt and ridieule OF society by his self
laudations and self-glor,ing. By his super
ior pre,ensions be excludes himself from the
charitable consideration Of his fellow men,
and opens himself to scathing criticism; by
his own superfiuous admiration Of himself
he robs the world Of chance TO give him
fair credit, and like an isolated stunted tree
,oughened BY every rude blast that sweeps
over the forest, be becomes insensible Of the
ridicule, and spurns the praise of men. II.