The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1895-07-12
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GRATITUDE.

The following is reproduced from ,
recent issue of the Baltimore Sun. mi
order that we may give the sentiments
contained therein VI unqualified in.
dorsemcnt:
Many authors write cynically abop,
gratitude, Prior describing it as thu
least of virtues, although he regards
ingratitude as the worst of vices
Rousseau, who was cOnspicuouslv
selfish and ungratcful, said that graft.
tude Was a duty which ought to ba
paid, but which none have a right nj
exspect. Although Rousseau is not ,
safe guide in matters of morality. ha
WAS a keen observer, and there is soma
81 ftance In his thought. He accepted
Mars from many people, but resent.
Cd any attempt on their part to de.
mand homage from him or ever an ~.
acknowledgement of their favors. And
though he was not IA model of be.
havior, he was right in this-that M
man Of honor will demand of another
gratitude for favOrs shown that is. as
Rousseau says, a duty, but not a duty
to be demanded. The most conspicu.
Gus iel in which gratitude ought 70
be exhibited is in the relation between
children and their parents. The child
who has been nursed through illness
and cared for by his parents until he
mas become able to care for himself
should never, for an instance, forged
the obligation or be unprepared to
return 1t in kind. Whether the child
is the son Of poor or rich parents]
wisely or unwisely brought up, he .
generally received the kindest am,
most indulgent treatment. The poor
mother sacrifices her health and
strength that her boy may present a
good appearance or receive a good
education the rich mother INDUCES
his extravagant tastes and, foolishly
sometimes, gratifies his every wish.
In either case the motive is the same
the qualification Of the child and
the promotion OF his happiness. 1t is
for this he ought to be grateful for
this he should exhibit Il return OF
affection, especially when in years to
come he becomes strong and able to
confer benefits, and his parent or
parents need assistance or care-taking,
There is no great virtue in this, as it
is a simple discharge of duty, but the
failure to care for ones parents. or
ingratitule. is as Prior says, the
worst of vices. No more vived picture
of gratitude and ingratitude has ever
been presented than that in liking
Lear" from whose experience comes
the remark:
How sharper than n serpent's tooth
1t is to have u thankless child.
The story is n Of great pathOs,
containing wholesome lessons for a.
rents as well as children, and should
b. read more than it is, for the play is
seldom acted. Nothing is more eiu-
tiful than to see Il son, grown t. lusty
manhood, thoroughly grateful to his
parents and caring for them in their
old age as they cared for him when he
was helpless. 1t is an exhibition Of
gratitude and affection that goes far
toward removing the impression that
mankind is governed almost exclusive
" by sel6shncss. Some writers have
attempted to represent gratitude as a
desire for greater fayOrs To come. and
no dout tlGsyis much sham gratitude
that has this incentive, but the graft
tude OF children to their aged parents,
especially to parents who can leave
behind them nothing but their bless.
ing, Is not thus tainted. When thus
exhibited it Is "thc fairest blossom
which springs from the soul, and the
heart Of man knoweth nothing more
fragrant"