The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-08-24
SPIRIT OF DISCOuTENT.
Does it Improve CT Hinder?
MOST PEOPLE ARE DISC0NTENT-
Ed.
Norfolk Landmark.

AL DIS uayS also E0 eatetQ III OarK-
ness, and he hath much sorrow and
wrath with his sickness. ."-Ecclesiastas.
Somebody, in serching about for a
bright thought, has said that the spirit
of discomfort is the greatest force in the
world for good. Is it not this spirit
which makes men strive after improve
ment and work out new Inventions? Is
it not this which has kept the race Of
men from remaining at standstill
throughout the ages, and prevented the
human brain from falling into Chi
nese lethargy?
II we are to regard discomfort as hay
ing so comprehensive a definition as
this, it may be that it has been a force
for good but it is we'll not to overlook
the fact that the extension of the
words definition to include beneficial
progress will render it necessary that it
shall include harmful progress as we'll.
What criminal ever committed das-
tardIy act unless he was impelled by
this same discomfort? The thief usual
ly steals because he is dissatisfied with
what he has, and the assassin usually
follows his bloody trade because he i'm
AGNES that he has not been fairly
treated.
Any such Interpretation OF d1scontent
must make it responsible for nearly
everything that can be conceived of in
hup1an life. This is not the idea that
we have in mind in using the word
our application OF it is much more re-
stricted, and refers more particularly to
that sort of unhappiness which is en-
gendered by constant growing and
brood!ng over the superior good fortune
of other people. We mean the dissatis-
faction that partakes of the nature Of
envy rather than the dissatisfaction
which is concerned in the desire for
progress. This feeling causes more
useless trouble on earth, we venture to
say, than any other which flesh is heir
to.
1t Is perfectly proper for men and
women to desire to Improve their own
condition and the condition OF the world
in general. When one is in such state
OF torpor that one would not stretch out
hand to better himself, he may be
contented, but he is also wretchedly in
dolent and foolish. tt is not fair to
ascrlbe the result of the com bined in
dolence and folly to the influence oi
contentment. Everybody ought to do
his best to make progress by honest
means; but-and here's the rub-a
man ought not to worry and fume,
when he is doing the best he can, be-
cause his neighbor outstrips him.
There is no reason why we should not
enjoy our humble turnips and green's
as much as our wealthy brethren and
sisters enjoy their be-sauced and be-
seasoned pastries and puddings. In
the makeup of common cabbage
there is as much toothsomeness as in
many more expensive article OF diet.
Should we fret and pound our molars
because cabbage, being cheap and
plentiful, is regarded as too common
place dish to appear on the table OF
our friend who has had luck in the
Klondike? Shall we crawl around and
whine at the contemplation of jones'
rapid advancement toward riches, pro-
testing that we are only too moderate
ly comfortable in our income and yet
work several times harder than he +?
Should not a glance be turned every
now and again in the direction OF un-
complaining Smith, who labors harder
than we do and gets less remuneration
for his toll? But it does very little
good to reason with the discontented
man unless you can catch him when
he Is young and help him pick out a
wife.
Presidents Resolutions,