The Press., 1905-06-07
BALANCING RESULTS
THE LAW OF CONSEQUENCES AND
 THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE.

sequences of Human Actions.
 A reaction is the consequence of an action; an effect is the consequence of . cause; a result is the consequence of an antecedent. It is evident that the words reaction, effect, result and con- lions 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 Intersections 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 weed, sharpens Il pencil, mends a fence. Shall take an umbrella? l balance the danger of rain against the annoyance of the umbrella and decide accordingly. Shall 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- tion indicate a 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 salesmen in a sue cessful store are characterized by tidi- ness, promptness and a 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 will avoid misrepresentation and decep- tion. knowing that reputation for truth and fairness Is vital to continu- ous 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 nar- cotics, stimulants. antidotes, hygiene, surgery. chemistry, agriculture, me chanics, commerce, culture. we know through the observation of conse- quences. The best razor, blow, 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 Oth- CT. 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 min- imum of expenditure. The science of language deals with the utility of words, pronunciation and forms of ex- pression. 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 hu- man actions. How do we know that truth is better than falsehoOd? Be cause we are better pleased with our selves when we speak truthfully 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 judgment of loyalty and treachery, cruelty and kindness, virtue and vice, by their con- sequences.
 Our laws, customs and command ments would not prove to us that truth is better than lying if our own experi- 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 more useful in summer than in win ter; that cleanliness is better than flthiness; that the way to walk is for ward, not backward; that mirth is pleasanter than grief.
 AS the value of a machine or imple- Inent is shown in its working and the value of tree by it's fruit, so the mer- 1t Ur 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.