Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-12-21
BALANCING RESULTS
The LAW OF CONSEQUENCES AND
THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE.
Good or Evil I'm Things q. Discovered
by Observations OF Consequences.
Morals Are Determined by the Con-
sequence. of Human Action..


by Observations OF Consequences.
Morals Are Determined by the Con-
sequence. of Human Actions.
"A reaction Is the consequence of an
action; an effect IS the consequence of
a cause; a result IS the consequence OF
an antecedent. IL Is evident that the
words reaction, effect, result and con-
sequence express different manifesto
tons OF one law, usually called the
law Of causatlon. though it would be.
l believe, more correctly named the
law Of consequences.
We shall understand more clearly the
interactions In human affairs when we
recognize that the meaning OF the
words reaction. effect and result Is in
cluded In the word consequence. We
may doubt the Importance OF reaction
In our affairs, but we shall not doubt
the Importance OF consequences.
We are compelled to give considera-
ton to consequences in the most trivial
affairs. One has consequences In view
when he strikes match. sets a pot
TO boil. plants a seed. pulls a weed,
sharpens pencil. mends a fence. Shall
L take an umbrella? balance the
danger OF rain against the annoyance
OF the umbrella and decide accordingly.
Shall l change my coatF Take another
cup OF coffee? Walk or ride? Each
question will be decided in accordance
with my estimate Of the balance Of re
suits. In considering possible adyan-
tages or disadvantages. gains or losses.
we are balancing consequences, en-
deavoring TO anticipate and weigh the
results OF our actions.
Regret is usually a reminder OF a
neglect or misjudgment OF conse-
quences. while repentance and reforma-
tion indicate n waking up concerning
consequences. Our interest. curiosity.
anxieties. fears. hopes and ambitions
are concentrated upon consequences.
We seek advice when we are doubtful
about consequences. Preccpts and ex-
amples elucidate consequences. We
work and rest, eat and drink. scheme
and plan. spend and save. for conse-
quences.
The lesson Of consequences which
the individual often learns slowly and
imperfectly the sound business organ
izatiOns acquire quickly and enforce
by discipline. The statesmen IN sue
cessful store are characterized by tidi-
ness. prOmptness and 4 desire TO please:
the employees OF the important rail-
roads are not even permitted 70 an
| swer insult with insult The industry
that is intelligently managed will
avoid misrepresentation and decep-
ton. knowing that "a reputation for
/ truth and fairness IS vital 10 continu-
/ Gus success. The shrcwdest maNimS
| OF trade are built upon the observation
/ OF consequences.
That mind is the strongest which has
the clearest Judgment OF consequences.
/ The fools are those who know little
/ about consequences. The child must
/ be guarded because II is ignorant OF
! consequences. What we know OF mar
/ cotics. stimulants. antidotes. hygiene.
surgery. chemistry, agriculture. me-
chanios. commerce, culture. we know
through the observation Of c0nse-
/ Quences. The best razor, pillow. saui-
tary system. plan OF social betterment.
is that which produces the best results
knowledge, learning and experience
deal wholly with cause and cOnSe-
Quence. The science OF astronomy
seeks 10 comprehend the heavenly bod
les and their influences upon each 9th
er. The science OF chemistry explains
the consequences OF chemical action
The science Of political economy aims
10 distinguish and mark the good and
evil results OF different systems Of land
tenure, taxation. trade and finance
The science OF government would de
termine what political system is beSt
for ! people. The science OF war seek.
10 know what arms, equipments. forces
and maneuvers will inhict the great
est injury upon the enemy with a min
imum OF expenditure The science OF
language deals with the utility o
words pronunciation and forms OF ex
preston. And 50 on through the Who'll,
Of human experience knowledge seek:
10 distinguish that which has the bes
results from that which has inferior
or evil results.
Our ideas OF right and wrong are du,
TO the nature of the responses TO hu
man actions. How do we know thai
truth is better than falsehoOd? BE
cause we are better pleased with our
selves when We speak truthfully thar
when we lie; because truth Is essential
10 understanding; because we despis,
lying in others: because lying leads Z,
confusion. uncertainty, chaos. enmiu
and 10 other evil consequences. An,
so also we have formed 4 Judgment O.
loyalty and treacheTy. cruelty an,
kindness, virtue and vice, by their con
sequences.
Our laws. customs and command
ments would not prove 10 us that trutl
is better than lying if our own expert
ence did not confirm il. The Decalogu
is effective only 50 far IS nature cor
roborates II.
Our common conceptions of mOralit.
are the results Of the observation o
human actions and their consequence
of cause and effect, Of action an,
reaction. We know that certain nc
tons are right and others wrong. 81
we know that bread is good and stray
bad for food: that light clothing
more useful in summer than i'm Wi,
ter; that cleanliness Is better tha
. flthinesS; that the way 10 walk is fOI
ward, not backward; that mirth
pleasanter than grief
As the value Of a machine or nipple
> ment is shown in its working and n
value OF tree 10y its fruit. 81 the mel
il or demerit of food. drink. medicin,
acts and thoughts is determined h
their results. reactions or effectS-b
their consequences Balance
} The Fundamental Verify" by Orland
J. Smith.