New-York tribune., 1905-04-15
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
CONFINEMENT OF MIND.
How It Nay Best and Most Easily Be
Secured.
,o tbe Edltor of Tie Tribune.

TO the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: ITO do good n the world has long been
paradsd before man as his excuse for uving-this
being the hypothesis OF the righteous Even 10 the
philosophic mind. however. this dictum has failed
60 round out entirely the complete idea OF mans
passage through this vale of tears"
The unrsghteous tells his fellow 20 get as much
enjoyment he car out of Ife. This idea - based
on selhshness and involves an excess OF pleasure
seeking whose achievement clogs. while confirming
q perTdcious appetite The ordinary man. with de-
Eares unframed allows them 10 follow conventional
paths. seeking wealth. honor love friendship
but rarely II ever leading 20 state OF satisfaction
When successful in acquiring large means IN re-
ceiEng honor from grateful government or appre-
ciEtive piibiic-aye, even when favored with the
boundless friendship or undyfng love cf another
Is he rendered entirely happy? moderate meas
of happiness win bring contentment 70 the well
poised uind. and this state by whatever means II
may be reached. Is truly the most desirable cond-
ton with which man may be blessed
With peace os mind anchored 10 the rock OF
content ore may continue 70 toll and strive ae-
oOmplishing much or little. Il matters not: for.
with honest purpose. doing the best. one viii know
neither the intoZicEtiOn OF success nor the dlsap-
pointmeut Of failure.
Contentment thea IS that which one most de-
Eres. For This prize strives. often wearing out
body and brain. believing II be enshrined IN
some far on goal; when, sid one only reason with
ones self one would know that Il is here for the
taking and none can deny il. There is no
make for progress IN theory fact for that would
be 70 enslave the world and cause a lamentable
retFogressiOn IA civilization
Men must continue 70 be strong able and pro-
RressiVe and women loving and true; bur for the
sake os their own happiness. and the happiness
OF those they cous0rt with. let them be content
with lie IN every phase. both good and bad IN
which frame of mind they VIII ENJOY life and eE-
hale q atmosphere OF happiness which VIII oispel
gloom and misery from their surroundings
day, this very moment. one has pleasant things 10
dwell upon There may be- much that Is disagree
able IL fife but that one should thrust away,
must be dealt with: then. Jet them be handed IN
a buEineEsllks manner and dismissed Train the
mind 10 occupation of some instructive characters
eraruine the --,ovseTf,i --yorlrg ~ Nature delve
intO science the arts.OT what one VIII. 50 long
as the subject be cOngeElal and not harmful
Suppose IS seriously troubled through some
cause pr another, perhaps unEuccesstul N business
unhappy al married life. the victim OF trusted
but unaaitntu friend, or rejected suitor, one
believes the desire Is fOr that which one vainy
seeks. losing sight Of the fact thar what one
really needs iE the happiness or content which
would result from the filhlment Of wishes. Lei
continue his Efforts. redOubie them ~ he Will
k1l learn hOW 20 take enjoyment out Of every pass
ing moment thar must elapse before the cOnGuu-
nation n reached These momeEts one IS sure OF
and but ones self g 20 blame n fails %
live thfp "a the truest sense OF the word Lat one
elepete in ne Ulno every act he performs ana
tshs uffreet IN the most trivial details They al