Evening star., 1928-09-11
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES +. TRACEV ELL.

| A popularity of human nature Is that
some people cannot stand criticism un-
less they do 1t!
Let them make a comment upon
some one else. the thing is all right:
but Just let you make it. somehow they
resent It,
Thus they may be said to be right
theoretically and wrong in practice.
since what is sauce for the goose ought
| to be breakfast food, at least, for the
gander.
If criticism is just from one person,
/ 1t is emincntly so from some one else,
provided both parties are honest with
/ themselves and others.
1t is not possible for every one at
all times to see clearly in this dark
world. but so long AS malice is not a
part of the program there is no reason
why an honest opinion should not be
given.
II such comments are made behind
the back. they may do a great deal of
good. There is no use, of course, to
hurt some one.
In this respect the old shrinking
from talking behind the back Is very
much in error.
If one must talk. by all means do it
behind the other fellows back
Social intercourse receives some of
its hardest blows from those persons
who pride themselves upon being frank.
Too often they are only cruel
And cruelty is no more In place in
public or social life than in private life.
Is it not unjust and unnatural to
expect that any one, no matter of how
mild a disposition. shall continue to be
interested in human beings without
seeing their faults and foibles as well
as their good points?
And is it not equally true that these
same faults and foibles are often by far
more interesting than their good
points? And does not interest consti-
tute the chief charm of conversation?
Faults stand out from human beings
For every one who radiates charm or
distinction there will be hundred who
jam their faults into the public eye
upon moments notice
It is too BAD the world is so consti-
tuted but it would take more argument
than a couple of lawyers to persuade
the frank observer of life and manners
that 1t is constituted in any other way.
The virtues of the world pass un-
recognized except at some particular
moment and upon stated occasions.
There is mute conspiracy among
mankind to froWn upon the discussion
of the good end the beautiful The
thing has got to such a pass today
thst we do not willingly read stories
which contain morals" either hidden
or openly expressed
Yet we are willing. one and all. to
spend hours reading accounts of
strange. outlandish happenings from all
parts of the world We prefer our
novels to be spiced and our songs to
possess a bit of daring
Mankind is interested in the good
and the beautiful only at timcs-when
he has agreed to be In a. solemn mood.
He is interested in their opposites at
all times and in all places That is
why criticism. as commonly under
stood. forms basic part of life.
X
Mrs Gearshift is willing enough to
criticize the neighbors children if they
smear mud on the windows of her car.
but if any one else resents their shying
a rock through window she is up in
arms about it. Last week she was ter
ribly indignant at one of their pranks.
but this week she deprecates similar
criticism from one who has as much
right to be indignant today AS she had
then