Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-04-17
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

in everyday life words often take the
place of more cleaning weapons. The
huge amount of banter which goes on
among Office mates, especially men
who know each other over the years, Is
nothing in the world but warfare of
particularly sneaking type. 1t has not
the character of claw and fang. Part
of the Qualification of war comes be-
cause of the realization that 1t is hon.
estly doing what 1t sets out to do
with subterfuge, II necessary, but even
then attempting to destroy, by one
means or another, and everybody
knows 1t.
Another method Of answering the
sad wight who insists on making dis
agreeable remarks Is to turn the ques-
ton.
This may be done by a reference to
the weather, or, better, some subject
in which the other is vitality inter-
eSted.
Nothing SO takes the desire to be
humorous out Of one of these fellows
as to bring up some subject he likes.
He becomes all seriousness.
Since such a man is almost always
an egotist, he leaps at once to the
lure.
He Is interested in others only to
find fault with them; therefore he will
be willing to give them up at the first
touch of the all-important self.
We would advise our serious Young
correspondent to try this approach,
especially II he is given to a some
What quizzical outlook on life.
To watch one Of these birds fall for
the bait of self is Joy to the mildly
cynical man.
His attack-for it Is nothing less
is not based on any real interest in
another, but solely because his mind
is not filled with the good qualities
which might make him a JOY and real
companion.
Baser elements of mind and heart
conSpire in him to prevent his seeing
the good in others. Nor does he see
the bad. but only a bad which he
mostly invents. He instinctively leaps
to conclusions, most of which are
wholly false; he insists on talking
upon subjects about which he really
knows nothing; he attacks them
largely in points wherein they are
vulnerable only in his own mind.
He is, in other words, mistaken, but
1t is one Of the misfortunates of living
that mistakes often weigh quite as
heavily as their opposite. The mis-
fortunes Of this life-Some person will
draw them IL up. some day. and set
them down in long row, SO that If
We make them all, at least we may be
warned in advance. AS it is, many
a person makes mistakes without once
realizing it.
tory. method Of meeting such attacks
is to ignore them
This has the advantage Of suiting
some natures the best, but it is quite
difficult.
Why reply?
Complete silence is the essence Of
honesty. 1t dignifies the one who
makes use of it. and shows the other
what an old fool he is. after all. in
that all of his years of living have
not taught him its value, its essential
decency.
One Of the true charms Of life Is
that. truly. one is never too old to
learn. If one is of the learning tenn
permanent. May that not be the truth
about these people who make these
disagreeable remarks. that they do not
want to learn. because they are afraid
to find out? The biggest thing in life
one may think, is to meet it unafraid.
II one reveals fear on general prin-
ciples. by perpetually attacking others
in small matters, what hope is there