The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1911-06-01
MANY-SIDED CHARACTERS.

MANY-SIDED CHARACTERS.
In the examinations with which students
are now struggling there is q general rule
that distinction in one study will not atone
for failure in another. The pupil must pass
in all. If he can get higher distinction in
some than in others, that is to his credit;
but he must not be deficient in any. With
out being formulated, the same rules apply
to the unconscious examination of mems
characters, one by another. The highest
standing is not given to those who have
only one great virtue, but to those who
combine within themselves all the virtues
in greater or lesser degree. Napoleon, who
was very far from being an estimable
character, had apparently one virtue origi-'
nally without alloy-love of family. TWAS
exhibited not merely when he was rich and
powerful, but when he was poor boy. 1t
was the guiding influence of his early life,
but that one virtue was not sufficient to re-
deem his character in the eyes of the world.
In fact, in the latter years of his life this
early virtue became a vice-Napoleon sac
rificed the public interests for the aggran-
dizement Of his family. 1t is quite COM
mon, also, to observe man or woman dis
tinguished for frankness or truth-telling in
which this virtue is made vice, or another
whose sympathy is such controlling ele-
ment that it warps his mind and becomes an
agent of evil. The truth telling man, espe-
cially one who boasts of his frankness, may
be unsympathetic and even brutal. Hetells
the truth unnecessarily, when silence would
be golden; he rasps and irritates his fellows
that he may boast that he is outspoken, and
exhibits traits of character that make of his
one virtue vice. On the other hand, the
man who is controlled by sympathy FREE
quentiy hesitates about speaking the truth
when there is need of plain speech for
fear of hurting some ones feelings or of
giving offense. His sympathy is thus
sometimes misdirected so that he gives en-
couragement unconsciously to the vicious
or criminal instead of using it to promote
virtue and truth. In such q character
sympathy, which in the abstract is regard
ed as a virtue, is in danger of becoming a
vice. It is obvious that in the union of
these qualities we shall have better char
acter than either can by itself produce.
The truthful man, if sympathetic, will not
be brutally frank, but will temper his truth
telling by consideration for others. The
sympathetic man, if truthful, will not per-
NIT his feelings to control the expression of
his views, but will reserve his sympathy for
those who are deserving. It is thus with
many other qualities of men. They need
to be regulated and controlled to produce
an approximately perfect character, which
is always many sided-truthful but con-
-siderate, gentle but firm, sympathetic but
discriminating, generous but prudent, just
but merciful. One or more of these quail.
ties may predominant and give character to
the whole, but all should be present to make
the perfect man. He who would develop
himself physically must give due attention
to the development of all his muscles, and
he who would develop himself morally must
not be content with the abnormal develo.
ment of some amiable or virtuous trait, bu
make himself strong in all, recognizing
that good quality not restrained anl
tempered by other good qualities may be-
come in the eyes of other men and in it.
effect upon them an evil quality and ont
which ought to be repressed.