The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-08-31
POlNTLtSS JENNINGS.
SELF-ESTIMATE.

One of the most difficult tasks of
life, and the one in which
man so often errs in placing the
proper estimate upon himself.
The determining of this estimate
may not be an essential for success
in life, but the fact stands that
every man makes it at some time
or other during his life. No one
has not this self-appraisement, and
it he disclaims it, he is either
wholly ignorant of his own mental
conditions or Intentionally misrep-
resenting himself.
How does he set the valuation
upon his worth and ability? 1t is
q slow, continuous, and may be an
unconscious process, occassioncd by
contact and association with other
men. Valuation is a matter of
comparison anyhow; and man in
meeting other men, acquiring a
knowledge of their characteristics.
both great and small, strong and
weak, by consciously or uncon-
sciously comparing his own traits
with those of his associates, arrives
at some estimate of himself.
Hence the character of the associ-
ates and associations is an import
ant factor, if not the whole basis,
IN the matter of self-estimation.
The truth of this may be readily
seen. The village seer is lord
among his fellow villagers; he feels
his superiority and acts according
ly. Place this same man in
great city and his position changes;
consequently his estimate of him
self. This, by no means, applies
to any such thing as self-debase
ment for every man has an innate
sense OF greatness from the mere
TACT he is man. That sense or
feeling, ever under varying circum-
stances, ever remains the same.
Another example: the school
trustee, who is the only man in the
district capable of calling out the
words at spelling match, has a
far different estimate of himself
then, than when he steps into the
circle of the literati. Self-estimate
then is based upon comparison.
The difficulty lies in being able
to appreciate the value of others. A
man, with clear mental discern
ment, studies the lives of other
men, bringing himself into possess
ion of facts as they are, eliminating
personal equations and other bias,
forms his judgments and in so do
ing sets a value upon himself also.
In just so great degree as a man
is lacking in knowledge and appre-
citation of men and life, to such a
degree will he err in his self-csti-
mate. An educated man, then, is
less liable to error than the unedu-
Gated. And yet he is more often
accused of conccit than his less
fortunate brother. But, the ac-
cusers are generally among the
ignorant who are, by the mere
fact OF being ignorant, disqualified
to pass Judgment. Ignorance and
envy are the motives back of such
accusations. furthermore, it is al
most a conceded fact that conceit
thrives best when rooted in igno-
rance. Concei. and pride, in it's
best meaning are of the same
nature but differing in degree.
Pride, when taken to mean self
respect, is very necessary in life.
A man should be proud, in that he
disdains things unworthy or be-
meath him; but he should not be
conceited or place an over-estimate
upon himself.
One can learn himself as we'll as
others, and it behoovcs him to do
SO. A correct estimate upon self is
no mean basis for building life.
To err either way is bad, but to be
just right is good. Let no man
despise himself, neither think too
highly of himself. For the man
who despises himself is in a sad
condition, and the concited man is
nauseating to circle or community.