The Washington times., 1921-10-14
Solitude and Its Value

w intended especially young VINO nave still TO
W get their growth whose characters and possibilities
forming.
Get away from the crowd when you Keep
yourself to yourself if only for few hours daily.
Full individual growth, special development, rounded
mental operations these demand separation from
Others solitude seexaminaton and the self reliance which
solitude gives.
The finest tree stands off by itself in the open plain Its
branches spread wide 1t is complete ree better than the
| cramped tree in the crowded forest
The animal admired is not that which in herds
the gentle browsing deer foolish sheep thinking only
fraction of the flock incapable of personal independent
direction It's the lonely prowlng lion or the big black
leopard with the whole world for his private field that is
worth looking at
The who grows up in a herd, deer-like thinking
with the herd, acting with the herd, rarely amounts to
anything aee
Do you want to succeedi solitude work. develop
in solitude with books and thoughts and nature for friends
Then if want the crowd to see how fine you are come
back to it and boss it if it will let you. ~
Constant craving for indiscrminate company is sure
sign of mental weakness
Schopenhauer-a sour genius-BUT a genius-speaks
contemptuousy of the negroes herded in small rooms
unable to get "enough of one another's snubnose
company"
If you enter village or small and to find the
or youth of ability do you look for him leaning
the village pool table, sitting the grocery store boxes,
loungng in the smelly tavern with other vacant minds'
Certainly not. You find him at work, and you find him
by himself
Think how public institutions dwarf the brains and souls
of unhappy children condemned to live in them No chance
there for individual, separate development Millions of
children have grown up in such places, millions OF sad
nonenttes.
Here is what Goethe says:
''Es bildet Elm Talent sich in der Stille, doch Elm
Charakter in dem Strome der Welt" (Taent is de-
veoped in solitude character in the rush Of the word
You wonder why much ability from the country
why Lincoln comes from the backwoods while you,
fcurshng in great city, barely keep your place
typewriter.
The countryman has GOT to be by himself much of the
time whether he wishes to not If he has anything in
him it comes out.
Astronomy, mans grandest study grew up among the
shepherds You of the cities the stars much
less study them
Don't be sheep deer Don't devote your hours to
the company and conversation of those who know little
you do Don't think hard only when you trying to
remember popular to decide the color of your
winter Overcoat or neckte.
Remember that you Individual not grain of dust
or blade of grass Don't be a sheep; be 1t has
taken nature hundred million years to produce you Don't
make her sorry she took the time.
Get out in the park and walk and walk. Get up in your
hall bedroom read study write what you think Talk
to yourself and less to others Avoid magazines, avoid
excessive newspaper reading
There is not a of average ability but could make
striking he could but WILL to do the best that is
in him.
Proofs of growth due to solitude endless Mitons
greatest work done when blindness old age and the
death of the Puritan forced him into competes
secuson Beethoven did his best work in the solitude Of
deafness
Bacon would the great leader of scientific
thought had not his trial and disgrace forced him from the
company of grand renue and stupid court to the solitude
of his brain.
Multum insola fuit anima mea. My spirit hath been
much aone This he said often and lucky it for him.
Loneliness of spirit made him.
Get little of it for yourself.
Drop your club your street corner your gossipy board
nghouse table Drop your sheep life and try being man.
1t may improve you.
~