Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1887 — Quotations from Samuel Smiles. [ARTICLE]

Quotations from Samuel Smiles.

The courage that displays itself in silent effort and endeavor—that dares to endure all and suffer all for truth and duty—is more truly heroic than the achievements of physical valor, which are rewarded by honors and titles, or by laurels sometimes steeped in blood. There is scarcely a great truth or a doctrine but has had to fight its way to public recognition in the face of detraction, calumny, and persecution. Self-control is only courage under another form. Self-control is at the root of all the virtues. Let a man give the reins to his impulses and passion, and from that moment he yields up his moral freedom. We may train ourselves in a habit-of patience and contentment On the one hand, or of grumbling and discontentment on the other. Forbearance and self-control smooth the road of life, and open manv ways which would otherwise remain closed. A strong temper is not necessarily a had temper.

It is not men’s faults that ruin them, so much as the manner in which they conduct themselves after the faults have been committed. There are words that strike even harder than blows; and men may “speak daggers,” though they use none. The wise and forbearant man will restrain his desire to say a smart or severe thing at the expense of another’s feelings, while the fool blurts out what he thinks, and will sacrifice his friend rather than his joke. —‘ When one is tempted to write a clever but harsh thing, though it may be difficult to restrain it, it is always better to leave it in the inkstand. It is said that, in the long run, the world comes round to and supports the wise man who knows when and how to be silent. We have beard men of great experience say that they have oftea regretted having spoken, but never once regretted holding their tongue. A man of true feeling fires up naturally at baseness or meanness of any sort, even in cases where he may be under no obligation to speak out. The pursuit of ignoble pleasure is the degradation of trpe happiness. A right-minded man will shrink from seeming to be what he is not. Duty embraces man’s whole existence. i The examples set by the great and good do dot die: they continue to live and speak to aTT the generatipns that succeed them. It is idleip»«r*fnat is the corse of man—not iab<JFT" , Sloth never climbed a hill nor overcame a difficulty that it could avoids Even leisure can not be enjoyed unless it is won by effort. If it has not been earned by work, the price has not been paid for it. Idleness eats the heart out of men, ns of nations, and consumes them as rust does iron. * Power belongs only to the workers; the idle are always powerless. It is (he laborious, painstaking men who are the rulers of the world.