The Washington herald., 1908-03-28
THE OPTIMIST.

IN so living as to be happy and TO
make others happy, which is much bet
ter. 1 think that there is no quality. that
the optimistic soul needs 10 cultivate
more than sincerity There is so little
OF 1t in the world, because the conven-
tons OF our social intercourse are all
against it. We say things that we do not
mean; we do things We don't want 10
do, as well as leave undone those things
that ought 70 be done. Just because We
find II so hard 10 be sincere with our
selves. or sincere toward the world.
And yet II is almost impossible not TO
recognize. IL we but think about il. that
il IS only when one is thoroughly true
and sincere that there can be purity and
freedom. Confucius said: Sincerity is
the way 10 heaven. The attainment
of sincerity is the way OF man"
And the way OF a true man is the
way Of the gods Sincerity is in one
aspect perfect synonym for truth
When Polanius says TO his son
To thine own self be true.
And il shall follow as the night the day
ThOu canst not then be falss % any man
1t was a plea for Laertes 10 be sincere
in all things. Sincerity is openness OF
heart: We find il IN very few people.
What We usually see is only an artful
dissimulation 10 win the confidence OF
others And few things are more damna-
tory than this. for sincerity IS impossible
unless il pervades the whole being, and
the pretense Of II saps the very founda-
ton OF character
To the man determined to live his life
in all sincerity. which IS 10 say honestly,
both before God and man. it soon be-
comes patent that nothing is more divine
than duty The sincere man viii see the
Importance Of having a high aim, a lofty
ideal, and sincerely striving toward the
vision To man 50 impressed the text
ot Robert Browning Will appeal:
The aim. II reached or not makes great the life:
4i5 10 oe Shakespeare. leave the rest % Pate.
Or, as Browning said. another time:
Aspire. hreak bounds, I say.
bndcaFor 70 be good. and better sun.
Ana best! Success Is nausht. endeaEor's al.
No duty patent IN the world
Ike daring try % BE- good, and true myself
Leaving The shows q things 20 the Lord Of show
To live sincerely is TO realize that the
lusts Of the flesh. the appetites. Jhe prize
happiness Of this world cannot bv anv
means bound the aspiration Of the soul
The hend that man harr;es.7 saws
Emerson. lis love Of the best" And. 70
the same effect, Rabbi Ben Ezra:
Poor Iaunt Of lie indeed.
Were man bat formed 10 feed
on ioy' 20 solely seek and ind and feast.
Such fezsting ended then
As sure az end 70 men
To be sincere is TO be honest: honest
with oneself; recognizing ones limitations
and glorying in ones golden opportuni-
ties. II Will enable US. looking thing.
as they are souarely in the face. L
realize that other truth Of the rabbi:
Al that is al al
Lasts ever. past recall.
Earth ehaHses, but thy soul and Cod stand sure:
What entered into thee,
That vas Is and shah BE-
Times wheel runs back OF stops; potter and cla,
endure.
Living sincerely, never allowing pre-
tense 10 blight our souls OF deaden ON
minds or duh our consciences. we can
not help finding ourselves living clean
/ healthfUl, manly lives Life will NEAR
something august 70 Us; we viii come I,
see that it can only be measured no
oy any human standards. but by eternity
We VIII come 20 see that sincerity o.
soul and purpose viii place US in harmon,
with the tides Il spiritual progress tha
are flowing upward. and that anythin.
less than sheer honesty. love. justice
and sincerity must make LIE, by s,
much. a failure
No; let US strive. We opJimists. 70
sincerity; marching forward in clean pur
pose and honest endeavor 10 the end. as
One who nev-r tuned his back. but marched b-els
forward.
I Never doubt u clouds would break.
/ NeTer dreamed. though riSht were v'-s-ef ,,-c-
would triumph.
He'd We fan 70 risc. are bafsed 70 fsh; better.
Sleep 20 wake