Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-14


because of mistaken identity in morals.
How Lies Resemble Truth
NOTHING so closely resembles truth lie. Lies
~ run the whole protective color gamut from
white to black A we'll constructed lie with all the
parts neatly dovetailing, smoothed along the edges
and properly polished, may pass muster while truth
is discredited. The lie assumes the garb of truth
initiates by makeup its natural tint, copies its voice
looking you squarely in the eyes without tremor
some one with an almost cherub face-despite all
the physiognomists may say to the contrary. 1t is
only when masks removed that the lie stands dis
covered. Truth wears mask she needs none.
There is consistency in some men that keeps them
loyal to certain faith, belief opinion. They have
tested it by their best thought felt the solid ground
OF certainty under their feet and hold to it because
it is real and living with them, though they would
forsake it quickly if better was proved to them
There is dull, logged obstinacy that initiates
sistency perfectly il. everything but the essentials
1t is merely petrifed egotsm not willing to let ira
diton go. 1t stands guard the empty shell of a
dead faith, not knowing the spirit has long fled.
Consistency is loyalty to living principle; OBJ
stinacy is loyalty to selfish egotism that feels it is
right despite opposing evidence. 1t sometimes re-
quires keen eye to which of the two qualities is
the real which the imitation.
Frankness and cando1 charming qualities.
These have ease, freedom, tonic breath of the
pine woods sterling ring of fearessness which
command your respect They have masquerading
understudy known brutal frankness. 1t is ig
norant impertnence grown aggressive 1t is usually
preceded by warning preface, a rattesnake plays
caStanet overture before an attack: You know
that am always frank and say just what mean"
Then he pours his verbal grapeshot into you
his gloves, because he does not need them in his
method of handling you, talks to you like
loaded conscience, and reduces yea to Turkish
bath perspiration of Indignation unless your self
respect calls halt, and all this under the mask of
frankness.
When Calmness Is Misunderstood
THERE is calmness that means the poise and
peace of great nature. Its very fineness makes
it often cruelty misunderstood by those whose yard
or n he
hour of great trial, deep sorrow, great loss,
when the very foundations of the temple of the
strength and serenity of the man who is calm
shaken when he realizes to its funess the last bitter
drop in the cup of his agony with intensity pos
sble only to finely senstized soul, when by moral
herosm he controls his emotions the angry waters
of the Sea of Galilee were hushed at the word of
command he may be msjudged and harshy con-
demned stolid and indifferent. Stolidity, the pet
rfaction of cold, selfish natures, often outwardly
the royal robes of calmness.
In the masquerade of the virtues and the vices
these never ending limitations. Loyalty that
seemed to certain new sunrlSes may prove to
be but treachery stealing slowly into the sanctuary
of affection and regard to rob of what may
be dearest in life There is too, dangerous suspicion
that may imagine treachery in some overzeaous
phase of real loyalty. That which We condemn
cowardce may be really the inactivity of prudence
wiser than we, counting the full cost and realizing
that the hour for action has not yet struck. The
genteness that seems to virtue, the SILENT SUBJ
dued strength of stalwart nature, may be only
the shallow placidity of weakness. Innocence which
does not see evil when it exists may find its white
dress stolen copied and worn by prudery, which
evil where it does not exist and pretends to be
startled by phantomS its morbid imagination has
conJured from space.
business Rarity
TIP and down the whole line of the vices inces-
~ sanity playing in masque1 ade We overland in
instance, overblame in another and absolutely
just-rarely. The philosophy of the masquerade
gives two points of Interpretation, two views
before pronouncing judgment, two tests before
signing ultimate values. 1t kills the snap judgment.