The Washington herald., 1907-05-25
THE OPTIMIST.

II there Is one quality more than an
other necessary to a hopeful optimistic,
and successful life. It is the quality Of
patience which We as Americans. pos
sess in the very smallest degree. That
old bugbear from the Declaration Of In
dependence about the equality of man is
responsible to a certain degree, doubtless,
for while every American Is taught that
1t is possible for him to become Presi-
dent. It is early in life that It seems more
desirable 70 the American youth to be-
come a millionaire And the great trou-
bic is that We all want to get there In
single bound. We are all leaping al once,
and scarce any one Of us is content to
plOd along the safe and patient way
steadily to an appointed goal. The hard
er we leap, the more severe the fall OF
course. and
Like kings. We lose the conquests galnd before,
BY vain ambition still 70 make them more
It IS the man who attains results that
has the right to be optimistic. and it is
well to remember that the greatest re-
suits In life are usually attained by sim
pie means. We cannot live on the heights
always, and it is well to know that the
common life Of every day, with its cares,
necessities. and duties, affords fine oppor-
tunity for acquiring experience Of the
best kind. the beaten path, though IL IS
so often despised, provides the true work
er with abundant scope for the effort and
room for self-improvement.
Fortunes have been made by specula-
ton, by lucky strikes IN mines. by lotter-
les. by gambling fortunes made in a mo-
ment-and the great tendency Of too
many Of us IS to hope that the Midas
lightning will some day strike us. We
don't quite see how It is going to do it..
or where It is coming from. but others.
equally as undeservlnG, have had that
sort Of l.ck, SO why should not we That
IS the sort Of optimism Of a Dick Swivel
ler-the wrong kind. II has often been
said that fortune. Ike love, IS blind; but
she is not so blind as are the men who
deliberately shu; their eyes to the prac-
teal side Of life. and do not or win not,
see that fortune is on the side Of the IN
dustrious Genius. Of course, must be TAX
en- into account. but true genius does not
0isdain 20 take advantage Of the qualities
Of common sense, attestion. perseverance,
application. and, above all, patience.
Armed with patience, a man is bound 10
carry a cheerful and healthy optimism
through life. Like Macbeth. he may say.
when troubles assail him
Come what. come nav.
Tine and the hour runs through the roishest day 4"
To-day Is duh: there Is tomorrow wait
Ing. Illness proves a clog; health viii re-
turn. Poverty is a drawback; diligence
and industry viii remedy that defect
but always. patience, patience. patience.
What cannot he preserved when fortune takes
Patience h5r injury a mockgy makes.
The rohbd that smiles. steals something from the
thief.
lie robs himself thai spends bootless grief.
To bring oneself to think thus is 70 show
/ the possession Of true genius. Voltaire
| recognized that the line separating the
man Of genius from he Of ordinary mold
was very thin. John Foster thought that
genius was the power Of lighting ones
own fire. Button said Of genius 1T is pa
I ticnCe. II the power and the capacity
/ Of taking pains were developed In all OF
US IL might we'll be that the remark OF
| the stolid Englishman would not be 81
stupid after all-he who on the death OF
/ Canova inquired Of Canova's brother
whether It was This intention 20 carry on
| the business"
/ So what We need much is the quality OF
going slow but sure De 0IaiStre said.
''ro know how 20 wait is the great secret
| Of success" An Italian proverb runs.
/ che va piano. va longano va Iontano. ~
/ fWh0 goes slowly. goes long and goes
4 farD All that remains Is to 60 cheerfully.
/ with hearts full Of hope and Of high de-
/ termination. one may stop To do an act
/ Of kindlincss. 10 do charity. 20 he helpful
I 20 others. ii one Will only travel life :
/ road along the beaten path toward the
i sure goal az the end.