The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-09-04
HUMILITY.

worth remembering, but we know Of none
more important than is contained in the
words he puts into the mouth Of King Henry
V, when be makes the King say: "There's
nothing so becomes man as modest still
ness and humility" Humility is, indeed,
worth cutivating, not only for itself, but
also for the sake of that host of spiritual
powers and rich rewards to which it is
casually related.
Moore called it "that low, sweet root,
from which all heavenly virtues shoot. -
1t is the best proof of real culture. 1t is
the first step toward human perfection. 1t
is the indispensable prerequisite OF true
manhood 1t wins for US the love and re-
spect Of our fellow men. 1t guarantees to
US that peace with others, as we'll as with
ourselves, without which there is no hap
piness.
That man deserves to be pitied who is
the easy prey,to conceit. The star of his
life must needs soon SET We do not mean
that his years will be cut short; but that
his true destiny on earth will be defeated.
His growth will certainly be arrested. His
bearing, which is calculated to give offense
to others, will make him suffer their con-
tempt and ridicule. ga mans pride shall
bring him low; but honor shall uphold the
humble in spirit,'' said the wisest of men.
How frequently this fact is illustrated in
the history of the world and in every mans
personal experience! And yet men fail to
espouse humility and eschew conceit.
For the mastery of conceit over some
people good reason may be readily assign
ed. They can as little guard against it as
the child can keep from taking the measles
if the germ is once abroad. Their consti-
tutional weakness is to blame. They allow
themselves to be led astray by that self
overestimation which is the unfortunate
resultant of the satisfaction with their
achievements, comparison with their in
feriors and the appreciation of their fellows.
fact to be observed in this connection is
that every mans conceit is in inverse pro-
portion to his worth The claim of Esop's
fable ever meets with substantiation. 1t is
the tortoise that tries to inhabit the regions
reserved for the eagle, although attempt to
dwell there ends in meeting death by being
hurled against the rocks. The man just
out of college lays more stress on his
meager knowledge than does the sage on
his immense store. The man ignorant OF
the troublous changes of life is reader
with advice than is the hoary head with
his wide experience. The man who per-
forms an occasional good deed is prouder
of his benificence than the philanthropist
whose whole existence is benediction.
If concet is detrimental, would you
know by what means humility may be cul-
tivated? By the remembrance of few
important facts. Realize that if you have
made something of yourself and have given
meaning to your pilgrimage, you have per.
formed nothing more than your duty. Man
was put upon this earth to serve his own
higher interests and those of mankind
Recognize that, however much you may
have learned or achieved, you have not at.
tanned the acme of human possibility. PEG.
pie have lived before you who have passed
and people shall live after you who viii
pass far ahead Of you in the development
of human excellence.
Consider that. in spite of your faithful.
ness in the pursuit of your earthly pur'
pose, you are, after all, to great extent {
creature Of circumstances. Had you no
enjoyed the various opportunities which
fell to your lot, who knows but what 70,
might be far beneath your interiors?
Yes, not even the most illustrious have
right to be otherwise than meek. HUI
man worth is obscured also in the greatest
Among the ancient Hebrews the wise wer'
not termed ''wise,'' but "disciples of tn
WISE" to indicate that they had still mucl
to accomplish before they could conside
! themselves true masters. Hillel's aphor
ism, 'My humility is my greatness and m,
greatness is my humility" is deserving O