The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-12-16
RELIEVING THE BEST OF PEOPLE.

BELIEVING THE BEST OF PEOPLE.
It is rather surprising how prone we are,
as a rnle, to find fault and censure those
about US when in reality we have no just
cause for doing so. We to find it hard
to believe only the best of person, but
nrefer, so it would seem, to make capital of
their weaknesses and sometimes even to
magnify into large proportions some min
ute fault which would otherwise pass un-
noticed. There is said to be a streak of
jealousy in everyone and, consequently,
we do not like to admit anyone else's SUI
periority over US. Whether this is true or
not is a question, of course, but the fact
remains lust the same that we appear to
take more pleasure in believing the worst
of a person than the best. 1t is sufficient
for person to be criticised for some of US
to Immediately believe true all the unklnd
comment we may chance to hear of him.
We do not think it necessary to interest
ourselves to the point of finding out the
facts before we circulate the rumors that
come to our ears, but whether they are true
or not we feed upon them to certain de-
gree and then turn them over to some one
else for further delectation. Running
down evil report is not a pleasant task, but
it is an infinitely more praiseworthy one
than simply accepting as gospel all the
unpleasant things we her of others.
1t is so much easier and in every way
more profitable to pay no attention to the
idle gossip that floats so lightly about our
ears, and believe only what we know to be
facts. II we are not in position to sub
stantiate the reports we hear it is certainly
more just and more magnanimous simply
to believe only good of those who may be
criticised. We can do great deal in this
way because believing only the best of a
person is really the means in many cases
of bringing out the best that is in him
Nothing antagonizes and makes a man
more stubborn and to deal with than unjust
treatment, and if he feels that he has such
grievance against anyone he is very Likely
to give evidence of the worst that is in him
in every way. On the other hand he who
realizes that he is being given fair chance
and that his associates are entirely willing
to believe only good of him until otherwise
informed responds to sympathetic treat.
ment by displaying the best that lies within
him, and that means a. very great dea
with some persons. The gift of being able
to bring out the best in other persons is moi
given to everyone, yet in all our variee
experiences there ia to be one inciden
that concerns such person. Itstands out
sit were, distinct from the perplexities ane
trials of other experiences and impresse:
US in very decided manner. 1t is, indeed
blessing to be endowed with such ma
ture. Its presence is instinctively felt BY
all who come within the radius of its influ
ence. We suppose it is necessary to b.
possessed of a very bouyant disposition
and keen optimism to influence our asso
ciates in general to such a degree that hare
thoughts and ugly feelings die and ar
replaced with kindness and sympathetic
understanding. Yet such miracles occu
occasionally in life, and never fail to leav
the most pleasing impression.
He who would make the most and at tn
same time the sincerest of friends is th
man who never stoops to believe unverife
statements Of any one. Some one ma
come to him and tell him something de
rogatory to another's reputation, but Their
is no obligation upon him to believe tn
report until he is given an opportunity TO
learning the truth. Not to believe tn
worst of persons is almost as encouragin
and stimulating as the actual proof Of thei
innocence. The knowledge that in spite c
all the criticism and unknd comment the
have suffered there are still those who ar
large hearted and just enough to believ
only what they know for themselves to b
true has saved many person from utter de
spa!r, and at the same time has famed int
steady flame their faith in others, An
faith in others goes hand in hand with fait
in ourselves.
Believing the best of people is onl
another way of expressing their brother
hood of feeling which should prevail in a
our hearts, for without sympathetic ar
probation of one another's feelings and
charitable federation of one another's faul
life would yield only bitterness and mis-
understanding. In such circumstances v
would become Indifferent to the welfare
others and would bring all our efforts
the attainment of personal aims regardle
of the way in which we worked. We wou
not take the trouble to inquire into the re