Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-09

who. when confronted with . fact. es-
pecially q new fact, Immediately and
instinctively leap to criticism.
| Beware!
The handwriting en- the wall says
plainly enough: You are In the grip
OF the bad dissatisfaction, not the good
sort. Instead Of using your mind and
heart to be discontinued, you are per-
| uniting chronic crouch against every
| thing to take the lead in your LIFE"
NOW 1t must be admitted that there
are some natures which inStinctively
turn to major and minor criticism OF
| others-hardly ever of themselves-with
the promptness Of q cat toward q
mouse.
The members Of this group consti-
tute an exception, for they criticize
what they do because they naturally
see its weak point and know that the
thing deserves q good knocking.
inese people are few and far be-
tween, however. The great ma jority OF
| chronic knockers and Planners are men
and women who have taken the path
OF least resistance.
1t is easier to find fault than to find
gooo, ana they take the easiest way.
X ~
On the other hand. an instructive
desire TO praise may be as immoderate
as too willing readiness to blame.
1t Is almost as bad.
In some ways 1t Is worse, because
ready blame, II undeserved, may be
kicked away by any one with half q
mind to resist.
Ready praise, however. Is so unc-
tuous that 1t steals away manhood and
the tight and prevents many injus-
tices, in q world full OF them, from
being corrected.
The too.ready praiser Is unwilling to
disturb the ease of his mind and heart:
that is why he jumps at the conclusion
of rightneSS before he has had time
to see whether what he is praising is
good or not.
This sort of person is responsible
for a continuance OF a great deal Of
misery In the world. "Oh. how artistic!"
he cries, going through a Stun, seeing
the tottering bridge and thereby failing
TO notice the dirt and degradation.
\ y
Let 1t be admitted that q great deal
OF discomfort must be sterile. 1t is not
always possible. even with the best will
in the world, to right conditions, as
peciauy when the Fighting thereof de-
pends upon other people.
II We were an executive In q great
American business We would make il
carefully to the kicks" II Is impos-
5'ble to believe that the grouches held
so faithfully by SO many are all in
error
With the best will and the finest
cooperation in the world however.
there is bound to be a residuum of dis
content that Is not carried over into
improvement, or gain of any sort.
Shall We say this Is wasted?
No. eternally no, II 1t Is done In COM
pliance with our stated rules OF good
humor q regard for the fitness of
things and certain reverence for those
who have gone before In this latter
sense we all may be Chinese ancestor
worshipers.
Discomfort held in proper bounds, is
divine. even without results. The very
lack OF desired change makes it more
certain to be an antiseptic influence on
the person who holds it.
1t modifies a certain ferceness which
seems clinging to the human animal
and aSsuages this beaStly IRE with the
refined glow OF kindness and gentleness.
What II some one does put some
thing over on you? II he Is fortunate
he will find before he breathes his last
that he made q mistake
When you get kick in the pants :"
as the popular juvenile language puts
IT. make the high and hearty resolve
that you will not make the same mis-
take OF administering the like without
good and Sundcient reason
Be discontended. and be happy, in a
larger