The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-11-20
Why is Optimism Pratical?
The Scotch Optimist.

why is optinhsm PratiCal?
The Scotch Optimist.
1t should be scarcely necessary to
repeat that real Optimist Is not
one who says he thinks that every /.
thing is good but rather one who
knows ,Lat the best is always pos
ssble OF attainment. and therefore he
aims at its establishment in all his
business activities.
A little consideration will show
that such an aim is not only practi-
cal but when put into practice as a
business creed it is also highly
successful. Most OF the men who
attained business success have been
Optimists to this extent at least, that
they believed in success, in them
selves, and in their power to achieve.
They have also been Optimists in
practice by aiming at the best, by
working for efficienfficy in their
methods. and persistently attempt
ing to improve on their own or their
SoupctltOTS dCuleNSnentS.
Now 1t is surely apparent to any
one who has studied the business
history Of the world that success fol-
lows efficiency, and that no real sue
cess is ever attained without eff
sicncy, in goods or service. The
principle at the root OF all business
success Is service,
Before the dawn OF history, primi-
tive man initiated business when he
realized that he could exchange what
he had surplus Of for that which he
needed more, and when one indivi-
dual found he could work for the
many. The man who, either through
industry or aptitude or perhaps in
ability to fight or to hunt, started to
make supply of stone exes or ar
rowheads for the rest of the tribes
was the forerunner Of the modern
factory. Whatever form his reward
would take 1t must be evident that
the more people he supplied the
more he would profit. and the bet
ter the quality OF his work the eas.
ter wiuld the profit be secured. II
there were more than one axemcker
the man turning out the best work
would reap the greatest bennts.
From then until now and hence
Yorth as long as business will endure
this law must he exemplifed that
"he profits more who serves
best" 1t follows, therefore, that one
OF the most potent influences in the
progress Of the world has been a
benevolent one. 1t may not yet be
generally accepted but some day 1t
will be recognized by most people
that the only influence which makes
for progress are those that are good.
1t is now commonly admitted by
business men that no man can sue
ceed by being dishonest. Soon 1t will
be equally acknowledged that no
man is ever helped in business by the
use Of wrong qualities of any kind,
whether moral, intellectual or even
physical. True, n man may attain
success and yet have some serious
faults. but his success has not been
gained by the exercise OF his faults
Rather, it came in spite Of them, and
because he had enough good quail
ties to outweight his bad ones
The truth is, the only power which
makes for success in business is
good in it's multifarious forms, and
for that reaon the business Opti-
'mists in trying to demonstrate 1.-The
cult OF the best" are working in ac-
'cordance with the law of progress,
and so must necessarily share in the
success which follows all work in
harmony with existing laws. That is
why optimism is a practical theory
and is a help, not only to the indivi-
dual practicing 1t, but also to the
business community as whole.