The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-30

be written down knaves than fools.
But the plain fact is, that to be honest
with success requires far more talent
| than to be rogue, and to be honest
| without success requires far more
magnanimity; for trick is not dexter
| ity, cunning is not skill, and mystery
| Is not prOfoundEesS. The honest man
proposes to arrive at a certain point,
1 by one straight and narrow road, that
is beset on all sides with obstacles and
with impediments. He would rather
stand still, than proceed by trespassing
| on the property of his neighbor, and
would rather overcome a difficulty
than avoid it by breaking down
fence The knave, it is true, proposes
to himself the same object, but arrives
at 1T by a very different route. Pro-
| vided only that he gets on, he is not
particular whether he effects it where
there is a road, or where there is none;
he trespasses without scruple, either
on the forbidden ground of private
property, or on those by-paths where
there is no legal thoroughfare; what
he cannot reach over he will overreach
and those obstacles they cannot sur
mount by climbing, he will undermine
| py creeping, quite regardless of the
| filth that may stick to him in the
scramble The consequence is that he
frequently OVertakeS the honest man,
and passes him by with a sneer. What
then shall we say that the rogue has
more talent than the upright? let US
rather say that he has less. For wis
dom is nothing more than judgment
exercised on the true value of things
that are desirable; but of things in
themselves desira BILE, those are the
most so that remain the longest Let
us therefore mark the end of these
things. and we shall come to one con-
clusion, the fat of the tribunal both of
God and of man: That honesty is not
only the deepest policy, but the highest
wisdom; since however difficult it may
no int ao ri to crnf m a
thousand times more difficult for
knavery to get off; and no error is
more fatal than that of those who
think that virtue has no other reward.
because they have heard that she is
her own.
Pride differs in many things from
vanity, and by gradations that never
blend, although they may be some
what indistinguishable. Pride may
perhaps be termed too high opinion
of ourselves, founded on the Overrat-
ing of certain qualities that We do ac-
tually possess; whereas vanity is more
easily satisfied. and can extract a feel
ing of self-complacency from qualif1-
cations that are imaginary. Vanity
can also feed upon externals, but pride
must have more or less of that which
is intrinsic; the proud therefore do not
set 50 high a value upon wealth as the
vain, neither are they 50 much de-
pressed by poverty. Vanity looks to
[,
the future and the few; hence pride
has more difficulties, and vanity more
disappointments; neither does she bear
them SO well, for she at times distrusts
herself, whereas pride despises others
For the vain man cannot always be
certain of the validity of his preten-
sions, because they are often as empty
as that very vanity that has created
them; therefore it is necessary for his
happiness, that they should be con-
frmed by the opinion of his neighbors.
and his own vote in favor of himself
he thinks of little weight, until it is
backed by the SURFACES of others. The
vain man idolizes his own person, and
here he is wrong; but he cannot bear
his own company and here he is right.
But the proud man wants no such con-
frmations; his pretensions may be
small, buA they are something, and his
error lies in overrating them. If
others appreciate his merits less high
ly, he attributes it either to their envy,
or TO their ignorance, and enjoys in
prospect that period when time shall
Therefore the proud man can afford to
wait, because he has no doubt of the
strength of his capital, and can also
live by anticipation, on that fame
which he has persuaded himself that
he deserves. He often draws indeed
too largely upon posterity, but even
here he is safe; for should the bills be
dishonored, this cannot happen until
have been paid.
II you cannot inspire a woman with |
love of you, fill her above the brim
with love of herself; all that runs over
will be yours.
When we feel strong desire to
thrust our advice upon others, it is |
usually because We suspect their weak |
ness: but we ought rather to suspect
our own.
Many schemes fidiculed as utopian. |
decried as visionary. and detained
against as impracticable, will be real |
lied the moment the march of sound
knowledge has effected this for our
species: that of making men wise
enough to see their true interests. and
enough to pursue them.
There is this of good in real evils. |
they deliver US While they last from |
the petty despotism of all that were |
magiuary.=Lacon: or Many Things in |
Few Words.
(Chapter LXII Monday