The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-11-20

While use OF confidence in this con
nection. is in general, more an un
HAPPY choice of a word than an erroi
of reasoning, the criticism is vel
taken, and we quote in part from the
Daily Trade Record
Confidence" or Courage" which
do we want most today?-Here art
some definitions of confidence" and
OF courage" Read them carefully
Which frame OF mind should we real.
ly cultivate today, confidence oil
courage?
Confidence. A trust or re.
lance; an assurance of mind or firm
belief in the integrity, stability. OF
veracity OF another, or in the truth
and reality of fact Mutual conf.
dence is the basis of social happiness
place confidence in statement, OF
in an official report.
"'2. Trust; reliance: applied to
ones own abilities or fortune; belief
in ones own competency.
"'s. That in which trust is placed
ground of trust; he or that which
supports.
-. Safety, or assurance of safe
ty; security.
"'5. Excessive boldness; assur-
ance. proceeding from vanity or a
false opinion OF ones own abilities
or excellencies.'
"Courage.-Bravery; intrepidity
that quality of nina which enables
men to encounter danger and diff
culties with firmness. or without fear
or depression of spirits; valor: bold
ness; resolution. 1t is a constituent
part of fortitude; but fortitude inn
plies patience to bear continued suf-
fering.
Perhaps, If we relapse into over
confidence we shall really need
fortitude.'
Don't preach confidence, but
rather commonsense. truth. courage
and work-the present acute condi-
ton will pass quickly, but We must
not smother its warning significance.
On every hand well-meaning 'opti-
mists' are crying confidence, and
more confidence
what we really want is more
fear and more truth. We are already
suffering from overconfidence.
what is the sense of everyone's
blindly denying that too many nave
really been 'capitalizing hope;' that
too many have done much business
on a blur that many conspicuous
bluffs have been called; and that this
and the consequent developments
have killed confidence and buried It?
1T is true that real prosperity
.underlies the scare. That is, the
country is and has been for many
years exceedingly productive. 1t is
also true that much unsoundness and
wastefulness has discounted that
prosperity.
why at this time urge that We
forget the rottenness and look only
on the brightness? This is in line
with Mr.. Gomper's famous cure for
bad times, with which the least
humorous are now so amused.
Confidence will not today cure
imitation or renew excessive value
any more than IT will mend shat
tered arm.
THE danger signals were set over
a year ago. They were ignored. To-
day, even while we are all still gaz-
ing, shocked and frightened, 1T the
wrecks that have come OF overriding
the danger signals, those among us
who urge greater discipline eau lion
and manly recognition of truths. are
frowned upon as 'pessimists,' bust
ness disturbers, etc, etc. Many mur-
muir: Wont you please go way and
let me sleep
Confidence Is often mere fiattery.
self or otherwise. Do We want fat
terry today or truth? Which is best
for the future? The present will pass
quickly, but, as we ourselves decide,
it will leave its certain legacy of
good or bad.
winch Is the wiser, blind conf
dence in conditions which have been
shown to be largely wrong, or sim
pie. true courage that the natural
great prosperity of the country and
the brains, energy and awakened eff
fort of its people must win out?
Don't fool yourself and others
with confidence Admit the truth
to yourself Gradually. calmly and
inconspicuously reduce the results
of overconfidence. Have courage
and cheerfulness. Work hard to
produce honestly and sell fairly only
that-so far as you can Judge care
fully-for which there is a fair, sure
price.
I'm the concentration and satisfac-
ton of such effort danger will pass
In the night and fever be abated and
the sweet sound blood of health be
assured"
Whatever NAV be the medium of |