The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-06-01
Acknowledging Mistakes.

Public Ledger
1t is difficult to account for the
almost universal dislike manifested
to acknowledging mistakes. In
general way, every one knows that
he makes them, and freely admits
the fact. 1t is, indeed, merely ad-
hitting that he is fallible, which
is a truism that no sane person
would dream Of denying. But
when it comes to some particular
case-some notion held that has
been proved incorrect, some step
taken which is seen to have been
unwise, something done thought
lessly, which second thought shows
to have been wrong-there is a
strange unwillingness to avow the
error. People will enter into long
explanations, make excuses, al
lege reasons, set set forth ar
guments to vindica;e them
selves, or, at least, plead all the
eXtenuating circumstances will
do anything, in fact, except utter
the simple and true words, II was
mistakenw Many, doubtless, re-
sist the conviction within their own
minds that they have benin error,
and persuade themselves, by spe-
clous arguments, that they were
right; but many more. too clear
sighted for this allusisn, are equal-
ly unwilling TO acknowledge to
others what they cannot help con-
Tossing to themselves. Knowing
that they have been in error, they
will yet resort to almost any other
course than that Of frankly saying
so.
Perhaps one reason for this wide
spread reluctance may be found in
the common supposition that there
Is something disgraceful ard cen
surable i'll making mistake. Ger
tainly the way in which mistakes
are sometimes treated, seems to
take this for granted. Either Sc
we're rebuke or ill-natured rIdicule
or malicious triumph are too often
visited upon the most involuntary
error, and thus the natural feeling
Of shame or dread is engendered.
Even the comparatively mild
phrase, II told you So" conveying,
as ii does, The consciousness of su-
perior discernment, rankles In the
mind and rouses feeling OF shame,
which is entirely uncalled tor. OF
course, mistakes Of all kinds should
be avoided, as far as possible, and
there may be a carelessness really
culpable which gives rise to them.
But, IN far the greater number of
cases, mistakes are the steps by
which each one must climb to ex-
cellence in any direction. To per-
ceive where is wrong, is the only
sure way of reaching the right.
Every time an error is corrected,
delusion banished, a deficiency
a fault overcome, pro-
gress is made, and he who makes
it occupies higher plane than be-
fore. But for this result it is need
tul that he freely admit and ac-
knowledge his error, otherwise he
cannot abandon it.
This whole matter of mistakes,
md how to deal with them, needs
o be placed upon an entirely differ
mt basis. Instead of producing
and shame to discov-
r them, it should cause pleasure
nd satisfaction, because thus
lone can they be remedied. So
ar fr4m wishing TO escape detec-
ion, men should be glad to ac-
error freely, whenever
ley can hope for help, or when
YER such acknowledgment may
enefit others. Instead of being a
ard confession, wTung out of a
ern sense of duty, it should rath-
: be a matter of course, involving
} shame and no disgrace, but
erely the desire to be set right
henever they have been wrong.
nd, instead of exhibiting a mean
or a censorious spirit to-
ards the mistakes of others, they
Ould regard them as opportuni-
rs to give help and sympathy,
rowing how much and how often
ey need the same aid. Thus, in
nple sincerity, In the honest de-
re for improvement, in the love
truth, and in mutual comfort
ID encouragement, will mistakes
ost speedily be corrected, and
'ogress in the various line of hu-
an activity be most efectually
rried on.