Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-12-02
COntcntnent.

The old saying that contentment
is better than wealth" implies that
wealth is inconsistent with content
ment, and observation goes far to
sustain the assumption, although
there is no logical necessity for it.
The value of cOntentment cannot be
properly gauged, however, without
considering the standard Of life set
by the person who is contented.
Where contentment is associated
with squal0r and ignorance it is not
10 be commended. Contentment is
to be found in the very lowest ranks
OF society, associated with poverty
and ignorance, but it is due to want
of ambition or lack Of knowledge of
the existence of better things.
How far it may be desirable to dis
turb such contentment through edu-
cational and other refining influences
ls question not fully determined.
1t seems to be clear, however, that
mischief rather than good may be
done by increasing the wants of q
person without at the same time pro-
Vldlng him with means of satisfy
Ing those wants. 1t is unquestiona-
bly, desirable that men should be
raised to higher plane than that of
the brute creation; they should not
be left in condition to be content
with the mere qualification of their
animal passions. But along with
the education or culture which in
creaSeS their wants should go an edu-
cation which will fit them to satisfy
such wants.
1t Is unhappily true that common
school education does not always ac-
complish these two purposes. Quite
often it improves ones tastes, in
creases ones wants, yet leaves its
beneficiary no better able to earn a
living than before. The man who,
if unframed, would have been a con-
tented laborer or mechanic is not i'm
proved If, through education, he has
been given distaste for manual la
Dor without being fitted for higher
calling. He then is liable to become
an idler, criminal or discontented
and unhappy worker, and in either
case he has been robbed of that pre-
cious boon which is said to be better
than wealth.
Besides its application to individu-
ais, this observation may affect the
course of educational influences
brought to bear upon whole races of
people. We have witnessed in this
country the evil effects of raising the
dependent classes too quickly beyond
the plane upon which they can sus-
tain themselves. They have been
rendered less useful i'm the callings
tor which they were fitted, and dis
coniented and unhappy because they
are not, as rule, qualified for higher
callings.
IT Is we'll to advance men as rap
idly as possible to an appreciation of
all that goes to make up culture, but
the advance should be gradual, so
that they may not at any stage OF it
lose altogether the one resource of
the poor - contentmcnt. Absolute
contentment should be incompatible
with ambition or the desire for inn
provement, but there is degree of
reasonable cOntentment which can
exist along with the desire for better
tnent, and it is the kind of content
men that all men should have.
They should be satisfied to make
the best possible of existing condl-
tlons, though desirous OF improving
the conditions. Then they will ex-
ert themselves to develop their fac
ulties, but will not advance so rap
idly as to be deprived Of the means
or realizing their immediate wants.
C0ntentment associated with reasona-
bic ambition is precious boon; it is
one OF the chief elements of true
happiness. BdlttnlOre Sun.