Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-12-29
BALANCING RESULTS
THE LAW OF CONSEQUENCES AND
THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE.

Good or EVIL I'm Things In Discovered
Morals Are Determined by the Con-
sequences of Human Actions.
A reaction is the consequence Of an
action; an effect is the consequence Of
q cause; result is the consequence OF
an antecedent 1t IL evident that the
words reaction, effect, result and con-
sequence express different manifesta-
tons Of one law, usually called the
law Of causation, though it would be.
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 In in
cluded I'm 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 n pot
to boil. plants seed, pulls a weed,
sharpens pencil, mends fence. Shall
I take an umbrella? I balance the
danger of rain against the annoyance
Of the umbrella and decide accordingly.
Shall 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 advan-
tages or disadvantages, gains or losses,
we are balancing consequences, en-
deavoring to anticipate and weigh the
results OF our actions.
Regret Is usually q reminder Of q
neglect or misjudgment Of conse-
quences, while repentance and reforma-
ton indicate 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. Precepts 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
ixations acquire quickly and enforce
by discipline. The statesmen In sue
cessful store are characterized by tdi-
ness, promptness and q desire to please;
the employees Of the important rail-
roads are not even permitted to an
swer insult with insult. The industry
that is intelligently managed VIII
avoid Misrepresentation and decep-
tion. knowing that a reputation for
truth and fairness is vital to contlnu-
Gus success. The shrewdest maxims
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 1t Is ignorant of
consequences. What we know OF mar
cotics, stimulants, antidotes, hygiene.
surgery, chemistry, agriculture, me-
chanics, commerce, culture, we know
through the observation of conse-
quences. The best razor. plow, sani-
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 to 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
to 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 In best
for people. The science OF war seeks
TO know what arms. equipments, forces
and maneuvers will infiict the great
est injury upon the enemy with q min
imum of expenditure. The science OF
language deals with the utility or
words, pronunciation and forms OF ex-
preston. And 80 on through the whole
Of human experience knowledge seeks
to distinguish that which has the best
results from that which has inferior
or evil results.
Our ideas of right and wrong are due
to the nature of the responses to hu-
man actions. How do we know that
truth is better than falsohoodf Be
cause we are better pleased with our
selves when we speak truthfully than
when we lie: because truth Ii essential
to understanding; because we despise
lying in others; because lying leads to
confusion, uncertainty, chaos, enmity
and to other evil consequences. And
30 also we have formed Judgment OF
loyalty and treachery, cruelty ana
kindness, virtue and vice, by their con-
sequences.
Our laws, customs and command
ments would not prove to us that trutE
is better than lying IL our own expert
ence did not confirm II. The Decalogue
is effective only 80 far as nature cor
roborates 1t.
Our common conceptions OF morality
are the results OF the observation OF
human actions and their consequences
of cause and effect, Of action and
reaction. We know that certain ac-
tions are right and others wrong, as
we know that bread In good and straw
bad for food; that light clothing 10
more useful In summer than In win
ter; that cleanliness IL better than
Hlthiness; that the way to walk IL Tor
ward, not Backward; that mirth II
pleasanter than grief.
As the value OF machine or imple-
ment IL shown In It's working and the
value OF a tree by Its fruit, 30 the mer-
| II or demerit OF food, drink, medicine,
acts and thoughts is determined by
their results, reactions or effects-by
their consequences, From Balance:
The Fundamental Verify" by Orlando
| J. Smith.
| A Pert Maid.
The BIS had given an impertinent
] maid notice and In consequence were
Obliged TO assume the duties that she
polntedly neglected. On the last day
of Katfe's stay as one of the ladies' OF
the family was hastening to answer a
ring al the front door she was arrested
by an explosive whisper from the rear
of the hall, where the irrepressible ex-
maid. Katie, In most unpicturesque
/ dishabille, was established, Mrs. D..
| IL that's any one for me, say I'm out
|
Breaking It to Him 0entiy'
Mrs. crguson--George, dear, you