The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-09-16
ONES BEST.

Though We Are Not Capable Of Great
Deeds. That Which We DO We Can and
Should Do Well.
A man should always aim to do his
BEST in whatever sphere of action he is
called to labor, even though he has mis-
taken the path of his genius. What
ever is worth doing at all, is worth do
ing well, with single desire in dis
charging ones duty to accomplish ones
best. If by any fatality "a man is
pygmy, thought Thoreau, he should
make the utmost of his resources, and
become the biggest pygmy of his race.
In doing ones best, the human mind
enjoys it's supremest satisfaction, in
different to the DEGREES of destiny and
the oracles of fate. A love of work
should be proportionate to a love of
life, and each sphere of labor held as
sacred as birthright. In its highest
significance, life is an opportunity for
action rather than a struggle for place.
Always great mind discovers task
impossible to himself which is easy to
another; and so human greatness is
relative, the congeries of atoms in one
mans head differing from the brain
stuff of fellow-worker. One thing,
however, each man can do, and that is
his best. Enemies are routed and
critics disarmed when he puts forth his
might, and acts from z single impulse.
And doing ones best is not only pre-
requisite to success, but is test of
power, a proofof efficiency and meas
ure OF usefulness.
Before the battle OF Arbela was
fought, Alexander was advised to at
tack the enemy in the night, but re-
piled disdainfully: II will not steal a
victory" If man is determined to go
his own way, let there be nothing in
his life calling for apology, conceal.
ment, or explanation. Our most valued
possessions are secured by struggle and
sacrifice. In developing the germ of
ones genius, one must work out the
problem of ones destiny and do
ones best. 1t is impossible to
secure any lasting honor by
trick or stratagem, or to employ a
make-shift with a view to final effect
When Ulysses was called to bear arms
in the siege of Troy, he sought to es'
cape the ordeal by feigning insanity,
and was discovered sowing salt in a bar
ley-tield, where his awkward disguise
led to exposure. Ultimately mans
sense of duty and his power of achieve
ment are brought to a test.
Life has been compared to a lottery
in which prizes are drawn by a favored
few, and blanks by the many-a pre-
text for idleness and evading ones
duty. But in this life there is no es
cape from hard labor if one would par
take of it's richest benefits. Every NOR
tai is hidden to put his talent to its best
use. All of us know that the worth
of victory is proportionate tc
the means employed in gaining
it. The prizes easily won are OF
less value than those secured in the
teeth of disaster, or on the brink of an
abyss. The most delicious fruit doe.
not fall from the tree; it is beyond oul
reach. 1t is nothing to a mans credit
to inherit large fortune and boast o
his wealth, or, in the absence of an in
herent tendency to evil, to do good from
motives of policy. 1t is much to f;
mans credit, however, to earn money
by honest means and hard labor, and tc
do good, in the presence of temptation
for the sake of doing good. The fielt
of action is SO broad in extent tina
every creature may become lord of hi
domain by doing his best. God help
those who help themselves, while ma
ture, in an eloquent but silent voice, il
, forever preaching the doctrine of self
help.
] Whatever elemental force is in
man should seek it's outlet in the pres
ence of emergency, and be nurtured t.
serve him in critical hour. In tn,
italian fable, Orillo. restored his OLE
limbs as fast as they were amputated
and ran in pursuit Of his head afte
: decapitation, so ineXhaustible were hi
resources and expedients, and so grea
his love of life But Astolpho divine,
, that the mysterious source of Orillo'
, life lay concealed in single hair, SO
when he shaved his head, the magician
: died,
The fable teaches us that promptnes
in decision and alertness in the pres
ence of danger are not sufficient to Sc
cure immunity from evil, unless W
: keep alive the vital spark, and so com
a mand our resources that no in
g iluence can do us harm. Cur live
hang by trifles; momentous epoch
i and startling crises are the logica
sequence of minor events. Life is no
: worth living when the man dies in us
; when we fail to make ourselves usefu
. to the world by doing our best. TIL
{ philosopher felt his weakness whe
Knocked by the tit-mouse. The ant an
!. the beaver are silently Gliding us whe
e we neglect our work.
I 1t is a discouraging fact that allmer
{ is not recognized and justly awarde,