The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-12
1ailu - eagle
NJ NJ NIUEDOCK. Editor.
FALSE STANDARD.

What we call contentment Is a rela-
tive term. Granting that it is a condi-
ton of mind, meaning the same thing
to every one, it yet relates to the stand
ard from which we reckon. One man
reasons from premises far different
from those of another. One erectS a
standard above that Of his neighbor.
and aspires to corresponding greater
things. One has high ideals, another is
content TO walk in narrow sphere, SO
contentment is not an exact thins-a
thing in the abstract, but a degree OF
happiness to the individual as meas
ured by his standard
In this material age, money, and the
ACQUISITION of money, is the deslderatum
from which proceeds content TO most
men. There are a few who look 10 other
ideals, but, for the most part, money IS
the standard of reckoning. This may
be deplored, for there are better things
in this world than material wealth, but
ii is a condition with which all must
deal. Taking wealth as the standard,
and the chief aim in life, the question
arises. does il bring content? Paradox
ical as it may seem, we know il does
not. The paradox lies in the fact that
our best efforts are made in the attempt
10 accumulate money as a means of con-
tent, yet the possession of il rarely, II
ever, brings content. Who will deny
this? Who knows man who, after &C
curing a certain sum, sits down and
says he has enough? The lives Of pos
SCISSORS of great wealth prove that the
million or one hundred million mark is
not the limit of their ambition. They
strive for other millions quite as eagerly
and as a means of content. SO, like
rainbow chasing, it becomes a lifelong
pursuit, while the goal is just beyond.
The true version is that wealth IS a
false standard. Happiness is condi-
ton of mind This is a truism, old as
time. Real contentment is from within,
or not at All. 1t is inherent in the mind,
and in the soul qualities Of every man,
or nothing. Observation and experience
teaches that thousands pass out of the
world without even conception of real
happiness. but there are many whose
lives are sweetened by this almost per-
petual quality. To define it would in
yolYe more Of detail than space would |
admit here. The ground might be COW
cred by the general statement that re-
Iigion embraces the whole. We may |
say il is the spiritual influences dwell |
ing In the inner consciousness Of every |
man. or most men. From these infiu- |
ences proceed good works and generous, !
noble impulses. Deeds OF charity and |
acts of kindness TO others are the sure |
exponent of happiness within Con- |
Nstent. temperate, upright living Is the !
outspoken language Of 4 happy and |
contented nature
So it is neither money nor the amount |
of money that secures contentment On |
the contrary, it breeds discomfort. 1t in |
spires avarice, and leads to a craving, |
both of which bring perpetual worry |
and often physical wreck The es
cape from its evil consequences is in
putting away the false standard Money
has its uses, but It's abuses as well AS
an end, and that end human happiness,
it has led millions to shlpwreck- If
fherp Is IN Ina a millennium will II
come in money getting era?