The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1890-09-30
THE RULING PASSION.

The human mind is OF such mech
anism that, notwithstanding its null
titudinous idiosyncracies and numer-
GUS frailties, it is capable of being, to
some extent, analysed, BY the aid of
observation. and some valuable lessons
may be learned thereby. Man,
know thyself " naturally ~precedes
" Physician, heal myself and both
are excellent commands, full of wis
dom.
In every human being, unless be-
sotted beyond the instincts of human
ity by excessive vice, crime or abuse,
there is one predominant element in
the structure, which is the ruling pas.
sion of the possf sSor. This ruling
passion is the key to the success of the
individual. If ascertained at an early
period Of life, moulded
and cultivated; and if every
end is shaped to facilitate is further
ance, success is sure to follow, bar
ring accidents and direct interpretations
of Providence. But, in order to at
tain success, through this medium,
the individual must surrender to his
ruling passion, must become
its slave, must sacrifice to a
great extent all else for it, must yield
all that comes into antagonism with
it. He must live for it. 1t must be
constantly before him, by day and by
night. Once definitely developed, its
pursuit will be his greatest pleasure.
1t is only thus. and by accident, that
success can be attained. The differ.
ent degrees in success are largely due
to the different degrees of develop.
ment of the ruling passion.
Nearly every person has this ruling
passion, to greater or less degree. II
is beautiful and yet a true theory
that every person is born for some
good. There are possibilities of good
in the life of every person. YET, how
many men are drifting aimlessly, list
lessly, through the world, leading 8
mere existence, accomplishing NJ
good for themselves or anyone else.
1t is largely because these men have
not found their sphere. They do not
themselves, know what they are ftteC
for. They do not know what theil
leading trait is. This trait is devel
oped earlier in some than in others
A man is never fully grown until hi
leading trait is developed. Some ART
IS old at twenty as others are a
thirty.
A young man should, as early a,
possible, ascertain what his ruling
passion is and then, having found out
should cultivate it aSsiduously, tina
be may accomplish something in thii
world. Then be must learn selfde
nial; must learn to deny himself o
many things in order 10 cultivate hi
predominant trait. He who drift.
along, yielding to every impulse, Cal
never concentrate all bis mind, ABILITY
and existence into one mighty, rush
ing, seething channel that carrie
everything before it.
This leads to the production of one
idea men, who are so much ridiculed
But the truth is that one-ideasmen:are
the succ esful and the great men. TIL
man who gets an idea formost 10 hi
head and pursues that ide
persistently is sure to &C
complish something in tina
direc ton. The man who confues al
his mind, thoughts, actions and ener
gies to one channel will make hi
force felt. The one-idea men are tn
great inventors, discoveries, soldiers
statesmen, scientists. The pursuit o
one idea is what furnished the worl'