The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1917-06-08
Nashville. Tenn June s. II
INCIDENCE.

No one likes to be accused or in
dolence, which is a polite word for
laziness. To be called a liar is the
offense objectionable, and to be
charged with laziness is like unto it.
Yet in a world in which there is
much work to be done the most
casual observer is able to discern
evidences of Incidence on every hand.
Even the most conscientious of men
have their moments of incidence,
when the impulse to shirk is irresis-
tible. Only superman could go
through life without being lazy,
without procrastinating, on occasion.
Doubtless may conscientious work
ers would not confess to lazi-
ness, or Sinking. For Incidence has
a way of Disgusting itself cunningly.
Incidence is subtle and insidious. 1t
worms its way craftily into the minds
of men and whispers to them in
honeyed and sympathetic phrases, in
the language of cajolery. 1t per-
SHADES them that they are making
themselves martyrs to toll; that it is
no sin to be little less conscientious,
but in reality is duty they owe
themselves and those dependent upon
them; that little Sinking never
will be discovered anyway; that the
world will continue to swing in its
orbit, even though they are not so
exact in the performance of duty.
Incidence is wise, with the subtitle
wisdom of the serpent in Eden, and
it knows when to strike. 1t never
strikes unless the iron is hot. Thus
skillfully cajoled by the tempter, men
shirk unwelcome duties or postpone
them. With sympathy for themselves
thus stirred, they dodge difficult or
disagreeabie tasks. With the voice
of conscience thus lulled into SOM
Violence, they close their desks down
upon unfinished work, postponing to
another day, while they seek idle
pleasures, duties which call for some
degree of physical or mental exertion.
1t is not likely that they would con-
fess to Incidence. Indeed, they would,
in all probability, be indignant if
accused of Sinking or of laziness, and
would be able to justify themselves
at least to their own satisfaction.
And yet it is to be questioned wheth-
er Incidence is not at the bottom of
much of the Sinking and procrastin-
alton in the world. The most diff
ficult problem confronting the work.
err, whatever His task may be, is to
keep himself pulling in the harness.
That is to say, it is a problem il the
worker is putting conscience into his
task. Many things conspire together
to make him lag in the traces. The
work of the world is done for the
most part under whip and spur.
Many men love their work and are
spurred by that love and by aspira-
ton. Others, a host of them, are
spurred only by necessity. Many al
lurements beckon the workers in all
the ranks of life, striving by their
arts to seduce the laborer and to lead
him into the ways of idleness and
ease. WEAKNESS, illness and physi-
cal strength which is inadequate
break down the barriers which many
men erect against the assaults of in
dolence. And so, in one way and an
other, and at one time and another,
We are all more or less indolent or
we have our moments of Incidence
when the powers of the mind and
body relax, when conscience yields.
when our weakness becomes supreme
and when 1t is a pleasure not to do
something which ought to be done, or
when we are able to excuse ourselves
for neglecting to finish some task
which demands completion. Who
can portray the delight of these lazy
moments? True, the pleasure of
such moments is fleeting and ephe-
merial, but while it lasts it is like
no other enjoyment under the sun.
1t is not well, however, to encourage
this form of indulgence, for the habit
If Incidence, like other evil habits,
is quick to fasten itself with viselike
grip, and once it secures hold it is
reluctant to let go, The only sure