Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-12-14
BALANCING RESULTS
The LAW OF CONSEQUENCES AND
The PROBLEMS OF usE.

ny Observations of Conseauenee-
Morals Are Determined by the Con-
aeauence- OF Human Actions.
A reaction is the consequence OF an
action; an effect IS the consequence OF
cause; 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 causation, though Il 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
Guided 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 10 consequences in the most trivial
Affairs. One has consequences In view
when he strikes 4 match. sets pot
to boil, plants a seed. pulls a weed.
sharpens pencil. mends a fence Shall
L take an umbrellal balance the
danger OF rain against the ANNOYANCE
OF the umbrella and decide accordingly.
Shall l change my coate Take another
cup OF coffee2 Walk or rider Each
question viii be decided In accordance
with my estimate OF the balance OF re
suits In considering possible advan-
tages or disadvantages, gains or losscs.
we are balancing consequences. en-
deavoring % anticipate and weigh the
results OF our actions.
Regret is usually a reminder OF a
neglect or mlsjudgment OF couse-
quences. while repentance and reforIna-
ton indicate n waking mp concerning
consequences. Our interest. curiosity.
anxieties. fears. hopes and ambitions
are concentrated upon consequences.
We seek advice when we are doubtful
about consequences. Precppts and cx-
amples clucidate consequence. 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
10y discipline. The statesmen in a sue
cessful store are characterized by tidi-
ness, promptness and desire 10 please:
the employees OF the important rail
roads are not even permitted TO an
swer Insult with insult The industry
that Is intellgently managed viii
avoid misrepresentation and decep-
/ tlon. knowing that reputation FOR
truth and fairness IS vital 20 contiuu-
4 Gus success. The shrewdeSt maNims
OF trade are built unon the observation
OF consequences.
That mind is the strongest which has
+ the clearest judgment OF consequence.
f Tho fools are those who know little
\ about consequences. The child must
+ be guarded because Il is Ignorant of
/ consequence. What we kuS,v OF uar-
cotics, stimulsnts antdoCes hygiene.
surgery. chemistry. agriculture. me-
chanics. commerce. culture. we know
through the observation of couSc-
. quences. The best razor. pillow. saui-
tary system, plan Of social bettermcnt.
Is that which produces the best results
knowledge. learning and experience
deal wholly with cause and couSo.
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 aim,
10 distinguish and mark the good and
evil results OF different systems of land
tenure. taxation. trade and finance
The science OF government would dc
i 90 F,,., 49,
for people. The science Of war seek,
70 know what arms. equipments. force,
and maneuvers viii infict the great
est injury upon the enemy with min
imum OF expenditure. The science of
language deals with tie utility ID.
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 bcs,
results from that which has inferior
or evil results.
Our ideas OF right and wrong are due
TO the nature Of the responses 10 I'm.
man actions. How do we know that
truth IS better than falsehoode BE
cause we are better pleased with ouv
selves when we speak trUthfully than
when we lie; because truth IS essential
10 understanding; because We GcSp.S,
lying in others; because lying leads O.
confusion. uncertainty. chaos. enmiyy
and 10 other evil consequences. And
so also we have formed a Judgment Of
loyalty and treachery. cruelty and
kindness. virtue and vice. 10y their con.
sequences.
Our laws, customs and command
ments would not prove 10 Us that truth
is better than lying II our own expert
ence did not confirm il. The pecaloCut
is effective only 50 far IS nature cor
roborates II.
Our common conceptions Of morality
are the results Of the observation oi
human actions and their consequences
OF cause and effect. Of action and
reaction We know that certain ac
tons are right and others wrong. 81.
we know that bread is good and straw
bad for food: that Nclt clothing 5,
more useful in summer than i'm win
ter: that cleanliness is better than
hlthinesS; that the way 10 walk is for
ward. not backward: that mirth 3,
pleaSanter than grief.
As the value Of machine or nipple
ment is shown in its working and m,
value OF tree by its fruit 50 the mer
il or demerit OF food drink. medicine
acts and thoughts is determined 10y
their results. reactions or effects 10,
their consequences From Balance
} The Fundamental Verify" by Orland,