The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-11-14
Management of Men.

Management of Men.
When Alexander Pope wrote 1.-THE
proper study of mankind is man." he gave
expression to far-reaching truth, illus
trated every day. TO understand man in
his various moods, to be able to control and
guide him. is to be king among men. Self
control is the first fruit of such study rightly
carried on, and then follows the control of
others-not as an eXactng master. but as a
guide and friend. The leaders in business,
in politics, in war. the men who attain en-
inence in the active affairs in which large
numbers are associated. although they may
not have set out to make study of man,
and may. in fact, be unconscious of their
attainmentS. have nevertheless acquired a
knowledge themselves, which gives them
self control, and knowledge of the moods,
impulses and weaknesses of others that en-
ables them to take control as leaders. Such
power is not necessarily associated with a
high degree of culture in other directions,
nor, on the other hand, does the possession
of general intelligence necessarily include
this power. The contrary is very frequently
the case. literary culture arising from
close study of books. deprivng one of that
intimate association with men which is es-
-sential to a knowledge of their dispositions,
emotions and passions. Even the books
that mold the mirror up to nature" pre-
sent but partial and imperfect view of
man. The true student must go to nature
herself for instruction. 1t is this circum-
stance that sometimes gives rise to wonder
ment at the success of this man or the fail
ure OF that by those who fail to consider
the great value of a study Of man to those
who would be guides or leaders, or who
are called upon to manage large bodies of
men. He who learns by study, observation
or experience when to humOr, when to
command. and when to play upon the
hopes, ambitions cupdity or fears of others
SO as 10 get them to do his bidding, has mas
tered the greatest of all instruments, beside
which the playing upon pipe is indeed
simple There are men of this kind who,
having special aptitude for command, soon
learn, uncOnsciously it may be, how to lead,
guide or drive others. They come to the
front in war. in politics and in business
life, ana succeed Oftentimes in spite of de-
fects in their scholastic training, while
their better educated rivals. lacking know
ledge OF men, fail altogether. or if they rise
above the ranks, gain only subordinate
places. Until within recent years there
have been scarcely any attempts to make
man school study: nor is it 10 be expected
chat the study as now carried on will take
the place of experience in raising up
managers of men. Yet it is worth while
for those VINO find themselves deficient in
this respect to formally begin the study in
thel own person as in that of others. Self
study is always useful. for it develops I'M
expected weaknesses that may be corrected
if there is disposition to improve and it
at least gives suggestions as to the weak
nesses of others. through which they may
be controlled or managed. When Hamlet,
having vainly impOrtuned Guildenstein to
play upon the pipe, throws it upon the
floor, he eNclaims: why. look you now,
how unworthy thing you make of me.
You would play upon me; you would seem
20 know my stops; you would pluck out the
leait OF my mystery: you would sound me
from my lowest note to the top of my
compass, and there is much music excel
lent voice in this little organ, yet cannot
make it In that passage a strong figure
OF speech is presented, illustrating what
may be done by those who have. made a
proper study of mankind. They can play
upon humanity as skillfully as the musician
plays upon the pipe. Guldenstein lacked
knowledge more than Hamlet lacked adj
vancement but there were doubtless others
even in that day who could have sounded
Hamlet from his lowest note to the top of
his compass, and have guided and controlled
him. AT all events the ruder instruments
represented by common men may be played