Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-17

-.i ts Copyright, 1916, by H A. Bruce)
A S defined by the dictionary, cynicism is
~ habit of holding morose and contemptuous
habit.
And it usually is an extremely costly one to the
man or woman afflicted with it.
The outstanding Characteristic of all cynics is
their obsessiVe refusal to- attribute worthy motives
to human conduct. To them everybody is selfish
and corrupt
When they hear a good deed praised they do
not joint in the appreciation, Instead, they cast
about to discover something that will enable them
to disparage the doer of the good deed
They simply will not believe in people. They go
through life with sneer on their lips. =
And, because It usually is easy to .distort
mans acts to his discredt, they pride themselves
on being more qst t than per-
One result of this attitude of bitterness and in
credulity is TO drive them into an unenyiape $50
lation. People naturally mistrust man who is al
ways welding verbal hammer.
There is no knowing against whom his slurs
and insnuatiens will next be directed His friend
ship is unsafe, uncertain quality; hence IL is
foolish to make friend of him,
Left to himself, the cynic inevitably becomes
more bitter. And in proportion as his bitterness
and loneliness increase, his health suffers.
This indeed, Is sure result, because Of the far
reaching influence exercised by mental states on the
health of the body.
The heart the lungs, the stomach, the most OBJ
scure gland, the smallest nerve cell-every part
of the human anatomy is today known to be anect-
ed for good or for ill by the general trend OF the
Cheerfulness, happiness, contentment. enthusi-
asm, and, above ALL faith have good effect on the
health Their opposites have bad effect.
Manifestly the mental state of the cynic, whose
creed lack of faith, must retard rather than pro-
mote the healthy action of the bodily organs. AS
matter of fact almost cynie is notoriously OF
infrm health.
Think of your own acquaintance. Call to mind
those you know TO be cynical. Are any or them
vigorous, healthy men?
To be sure, cynicism itself is sometimes, in part
at least, product of physical disease The mind
tends react to the state of the oody Just as the
body reacts to the state of the mind.
But more often the physical health is good
enough to begin with. That 1t becomes impaired is
due wholly to the persistence of the gloomy, de-
pressing, chilling thoughts involved IN the habit OF
cynicism
With health impaired working efficiency is low
cred. Consequently, far as material success is
concerned, the cynic Is greatly handicapped,
He is handicapped by poor health, and ne Is
handicapped by the mistrust he inspires in people
who would otherwise be of service to him IN help
ing him make his way in the world
Beware, therefore, of allowing yourself to take
a cynical view of life.
man here, woman there may treat you
hadIy You may on occasion be deceived.
But do not that account be misled into con-
sidering all men and all women unworthy and the
universe a cheat.
That is a conclusion as foolish as 1t is false
and one that will have a Gripping effect on your
your whole life long.
Copyright, 1916, by H. A. Bruce.)
Where is the old-fashioned business man who
decided to sit down and wait until the war was
over?