The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-16

/
ewes: but he that hearkeneth unto coun-
sci is wise. Proverbs x1i;l5
| Many of the troubles in the world,
much of the misfortune that de-
veIops in 1t. are due to an all too
general habit among people of going
ahead and doing things alone entirely
as their own judgments dictate. These
are altogether too prone to believe
that they are quite capable of stand
ing on their own feet, that they will
not be benefited in any way by help
from any source, that they will In fact
be belfttling themselves in their own
estimation and also in the regard of
their acquaintance if they seek adj
vice.
Never were there more mistaken
ideas than those of this character. AS
a matter of fact a man, alone by him
self and left entirely to his own ideas
and devices, is but a frail creature. 1t
is possible, of course, for man of
rugged physique to go into the
wilderness with an axe on his shoulder
and a knife in his belt and exc out
living, such as it Is. He can conquer
a few of the birds of the air and
tame some beasts of the field to do
his bidding. The accomplishment of
everything that he does, however,
during the span of an ordinary life,
can never amount to much materially.
But let a number of men and women
band together and go into wilder
ness, let them combine their efforts.
one helping the other, and all work
ing together, and eventually what has
been little more than a barren waste
since the world began will become a
settlement more or less civilized. and
in time this settlement will develop
into a city in all its glory.
Such was the beginning of the great
nation of the United States. Such
has been the beginning of every ma
ton that has held a commanding
place in history. The familiar story
of Robinson Crusoe tells well what
one man can do but all that he at
tanned did not amount to much, If any,
thing, in helping the world progress.
On the other mand, the chronicles of
the iIlustrious Hume and the laborious
Lingard tell of the magnificent monu-
ments that have been erected by the
united efforts of many men.
A spirit of independence, an
ability and a desire to take the
initiative in things. are attributes OF
strong characters and should be en-
couraged. But these can not be de-
veloped to their highest and best de-
gree without the help, the advice, the
wisdom of others, who have had the
benefit of a wider and greater exper-
fence. 1t is often unnecessary to go
to persons direct for counsel of this
sort, although no one should ever
hesitate to take this step. Much of
the advice that one needs can be OBJ |
tanned from books, standard works of
reference on all things under the sun,
recognized authorities on philosophy
in all of its ramifications.
The man who insists on going 1t |
alone. who thinks that he is quite |
smart enough to develop a way of his |
own for the accomplishment of any |
thing he may set his mind upon, I'M
less he be a real genius and of which |
there have been but a few in the his /
tory of all ages, will sooner or later
run to the end of a rope that will be |
fastened on failure and disaster. Be-
cause a man thinks he is right in his /
own eyes, that is often far from be-
ing the case and as the text above
suggests: The wise man seeks coun-
sci in all things and heeds that which |
is best.