Amador ledger., 1904-12-09
BALANCING RESULTS
THE LAW OF CONSEQUENCES AND
THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE.

lfe PhOBLEMS OF LIFE.
Good or Evil In Things Is 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
a cause; result is the consequence of
an antecedent. 1t is evident that the
words reaction, effect, result and con-
sequence express different manifesto
tions 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 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 a match, sets a pot
to boil, plants a seed, pulls a weed,
sharpens pencil, mends a fence. Shall
l take an umbrella? l balance the
danger of rain against the annoyance
of the umbrella and decide accordingly.
Shall l change my coat? 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 reminder of a
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
izations acquire quickly and enforce
by discipline. The statesmen in a sue
cessful store are characterized by tidi.
ness, promptness and desire to please;
roads are not even permitted to an
swer insult with insult The industry
that is intelligently managed will
avoid misrepresentation and decep-
tion, knowing that a reputation for
truth and fairness is vital to continu-
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 it 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 plew, 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 is best
for people. The science of war seeks
to know what arms, equipments, forces
and maneuvers will inflict the great
est injury upon the enemy with q min
imum OF expenditure. The science of
language deals with the utility Of
MOlNS, anu lOIlllS OI GA-
preston. And so 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 hui
man actions. How do we know that
truth is better than falsehood? Be
cause we are better pleased with our
selves when we speak tTuthfully than
when we lie; because truth is essential
to understanding; because we despise
lying in others; because lying leads to
confusion, uncertainty, chaos, enmity
and to other evil consequences. And
so also we have formed q judgment of
loyalty and treachery, cruelty and
kindness, virtue and vice, by their con-
sequences.
Our laws, customs and command
pents would not prove to us that truth
iS better than lying if our own expert
ence did not confirm it. The Decalogue
is effective only so far as nature cor
roborates it,
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 is good and straw
bad for food; that light clothing is
ter; that cleanliness is better than
filthiness; that the way to walk is for
ward, not backward; that mirth is
pleasanter than grief.
AS the value of machine or imple-